Arthrology Of Hte Vertebral Column Flashcards
The ligamentous sacro-iliac joints (or most of the ligamentous joints of the vertebral column) are examples of which joint classification?
Syndesmosis
Which classification of cartilage joint is the first to appear developmentally?
(Amphiarthrosis) synchondrosis
Which cartilage joint occurs between bones formed by endochondral ossification?
(Amphiarthrosis) symphysis
What are the four consistent features of synovial (death)joints?
Articular or fibrous capsule, synovial membrane, articular cartilage and synovial fluid
Type I articular receptors are located in what part of the joint?
Superficial layer of the fibrous capsule
What is the function of the type I articular receptor?
They monitor the joint “at rest”
What are the characteristics of the type I articular receptors?
Located in the superficial layer of the fibrous capsule, resemble Ruffini endings, most numerous in cervical zygapophyses and they monitor the joint “at rest”
Type II articular receptors are located in what part of the joint?
Deeper strata of the fibrous capsule
What is the function of type II articular receptors?
They monitor the joint during normal range of motion
What are the characteristics of type II articular receptors?
Located in deeper strata of the fibrous capsule, resemble pacinian corpuscles, most numerous in the cervical spine and monitor the joint during normal range of motion
What is the location of type III articular receptors?
Collateral and intrinsic ligaments of many joints, they were not thought to be present along the vertebral column
What is the function of the type III articular receptors?
They monitor the joint during extreme motion or beyond normal range of motion
What are the characteristics of type III articular receptors?
Present, in collaterals and intrinsic ligaments, resemble Golgi tendon organs, not initially observed along the vertebral column and monitor extreme joint motion
What is the function of type IV articular receptors?
Nociceptive, they monitor pain
Type IVa articular receptors would be present in what locations?
Fibrous capsule, articular fat pads or adventitia of blood vessels
Type IVb articular receptors would be present in what locations?
Accessory ligaments in general, dense in the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine
What are the 3 modifications of articular synovial membrane?
1) synovial villi
2) articular fat pads or Haversian glands
3) synovial menisci and intra-articular discs
Articular fat pads are most numerous in what location along the vertebral column?
Lumbar zygapophyses
What are the specific functions of type A synovial cells?
Are phagocytic
What is the specific function of Type B synovial cells?
Secrete proteinaceous substances and hyaluronic acid
Which collagen fiber type predominates in articular cartilage?
Type II
What are proteoglycans composed of?
A core protein and glycosaminoglycans
Cartilage is able to change shape due to compression, a characteristic known as _____?
Deformation
What is implied when cartilage is said to have elastic properties?
Cartilage can deform and returns to original volume rapidly, a time independent property
What is implied when cartilage is said to have viscoelastic properties?
Cartilage can deform but returns to original volume slowly, a time dependent property
Which theory of joint lubrication implies a loss of fluid form the cartilage into the joint space during compression results in increased viscosity of the synovial fluid?
Weeping theory
Which theory of joint lubrication implies water loss form the synovial fluid increases viscosity of the remaining synovial fluid?
Boosted theory
Which theory of joint lubrication implies an adsorption of lubricant onto cartilage surfaces is responsible for the low-friction observed during movement?
Boundary theory
What are the properties of synovial fluid?
It is yellow-white, viscous, slightly alkaline and tastes salty
Synovial fluid consists of what specific chemical groups?
Fats, salts, albumins and hyaluronate
Which substance in synovial fluid was first thought to be responsible for its viscosity and lubricating behavior?
Hyaluronate
What is a complex synovial joint (diarthrosis)?
Within the simple joint or the compound joint, the articulating surfaces are separated by an articular disc (intra-articular disc) or meniscus
What morphological classification of synovial joints is classified as nonaxial?
Plane (diarthrosis arthrodia)
What morphological classifications of synovial joints would be classified as uniaxial?
Hinge (diarthrosis ginglymus) and pivot (diarthrosis trochoid)
What morphological classifications of synovial joints would be classified as biaxial?
(Diarthrosis) bicondylar, (diarthrosis) condylar, (diarthrosis) ellipsoidal and saddle (diarthrosis sellar)
Which vertebrae will have common ligaments?
Segments C2-L5 inclusive
What is the maximum number of common ligaments IDed with a vertebral couple?
8
What is the reason that nine common ligaments are IDed but only 8 will be attached at any specific vertebral couple?
The ligamentum nuchae and spurapsinous ligaments attach to the spinous tubercles, but only one of these will be IDed at a single vertebral couple
What common ligament(s) will attach to the vertebral arch?
The ligamentum flavum
In the fetus, which vertebral levels will demonstrate intervertebral discs?
These between C2 and Co1 inclusive
What is the number of true intervertebral discs IDed in the adult?
23
In the adult, which vertebral levels will demonstrate a true intervertebral disc?
C2-S1 inclusive
What is the effect of aging on the intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus?
It becomes more fibrous as water and proteoglycans concentrations diminish
What is the cervical nucleus pulposus composed of?
Fibrocartilage
What is the consequence of non-aggregated glycosaminoglycans in the lumbar nucleus pulposus?
The nucleus pulposus will lose water under deformation conditions
What cells is associated with the nucleus pulposus until about age 11?
Notochord cells
Which type of collagen is dominant in the nucleus pulposus?
Collagen type II
What is unusual about the cervical annulus fibrosus?
It lacks any lamellar or layered organization
What is the appearance of the cervical annulus fibrosus?
A horse-shoe with the anterior margin thick and the lateral margins tapering to the uncinate processes; the posterior marking is thin
What is the organization of the lumbar annulus fibrosus?
It has 12-14 concentric cylindrical lamellae
What is the reason the anterior margin of the lumbar intervertebral disc is les susceptible to rupture, herniation, prolapse, or protrusion?
The anterior margin of each lamellae is thick and the anterior longitudinal ligament is talons better developed than; the posterior allele or posterolateral longitudinal ligament
What is the water concentration in the lumbar annulus fibrosus at birth and after thirty?
Brith - 78%; 30 - 70%
What is the consequence of aggregated glycosaminoglycans in the lumbar annulus fibrosus?
The annulus fibrosus will retain water under deformation conditions
Which type of collagen is dominant in the annulus fibrosus?
Collagen type I
What is the organizational pattern for collagen fibers in the annulus fibrosus?
They are parallel with one another in a single lamellus and angled
What is the organization of collagen fibers between lamellae?
Collagen fibers will be angled in the opposite direction such that a spiral - counter spinal organization is observed
What is the average angle of collagen fibers within the annulus fibrosus?
They average 50-60 degrees
What is the principal type of collage fiber within the cartilage end plate?
The type II collagen fiber
What is the direction of collagen fibers within the cartilage end plate?
Collagen fibers are aligned anterior to posterior
What cell type is associated with the cartilage end plate?
Chondrocytes
What is the earliest indicator of intervertebral disc pathology of degeneration?
Changes in the histology of the cartilage end plate
What part of the intervertebral dis is the “growth plate”?
The transition zone
What part of the intervertebral disc is innervated?
The outer lamellae of the annulus fibrosus
What are the types of receptor endings in the intervertebral disc?
Nociceptors and proprioceptors
What is the relationship between size of the intervertebral disc and receptor endings?
The larger the disc, the greater the variety of receptor endings
What is the proposed function of receptor ending density in the anterior part of the intervertebral disc?
They provide feedback during extension
What innervates the annulus fibrosus at the posterior part of the intervertebral disc?
The recurrent meningeal/sinu-vertebral/sinus vertebral nerve
What forms the posterior neural plexus of the vertebral column?
The sinu-vertebral nerve (sinus vertebral nerve, recurrent meningeal nerve)
What forms the anterior neural plexus of the vertebral column?
Fibers form the ventral primary ramus
What is the name given to the white ramus communicans which becomes embedded within the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc?
The paradiscal ramus communicans
How does the intervertebral disc attach to the vertebral body?
Sharpey’s fibers from the outer lamellae of the annulus fibrosus are firmly embedded into the epiphyseal rims of the adjacent vertebral bodies
In what regions of the vertebral column is the space formed between vertebral bodies by the intervertebral disc the greatest?
The cervical and lumbar curves
Which curve direction will be associated with the greatest space observed between vertebral bodies?
The lordotic or anterior curves
Wha structure is formed following migration of sclerotomes to surround the notochord?
The perichordal blastema
What is formed within the perichordal blastema between the sclerotomites?
The intrasclerotomal fissure or fissure of Von Ebner
What does the intrasclerotomal fissure or fissure of Von Ebner become?
The perichordal disc
What part of the intervertebral disc will the notochord form?
The nucleus pulposus
What part of the intervertebral disc will the perichordal disc form?
The annulus fibrosus
What is the earliest indicator of the position of the adult intervertebral disc?
The intrasclerotomal fissure or fissure of Von Ebner
What vertebral levels will the anterior longitudinal attach to?
Those between occiput and S3 inclusive are traditionally indicated
What is the lowest extent of the anterior longitudinal ligament based on recent studies?
L3
What is the function of the anterior longitudinal ligament?
It brakes or limits dorsi-flexion or hyperextension of the vertebral column
What was ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament in the lumbar region IDed as?
Forestier’s disease
Anterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the lumbar region is now IDed as ______?
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis or DISH
What vertebral levels will the posterior longitudinal ligament attach to?
Those between C2-S3 inclusive are traditionally indicated
Newer research suggests what regional variation in the posterior longitudinal ligaments?
Prominent in the cervicals occasional in the thoracics, rare in the lumbars
What is the relationship of the posterior longitudinal ligament to the vertebral Foramen?
It forms the anterior boundary of the spinal canal
What is the innermost layer of the posterior longitudinal ligament called?
The peri vertebral ligament
Where is ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament most commonly IDed?
The cervical spine with an 80% incidence
What is the clinical sign of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the cervical spine?
A loss of hand and finger dexterity
What is the incidence of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the thoracic and lumbar spine?
About 10% at the thoracic and 10% at the lumbar spine