arthrology of the lumbar spine

Question 1

classify the joints of the lumbar spine

Answer 1

-anteriorly = 1x secondary cartilaginous joint
-posteriorly = 2x simple, synovial, plane joints,, zygapophyseal/ facet joints

Question 2

what are the functions of the intervertebral discs?

Answer 2

-absorb shock/transfer weight
-allow for movement while maintaining stability

Question 3

what are the 6 ligaments in one functional spinal unit?

Answer 3

-anterior longitudinal lig
-posterior longitudinal lig
-supraspinous lig
-interspinous lig
-intertransverse lig
-ligamentum flavum

Question 4

which is the strongest ligament in the lumbar spine

Answer 4

anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 5

what are the attachments of the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 5

attaches to anterior part of vertebral bodies and discs from C1 vertebra to the pelvic surface of sacrum

Question 6

what movement does the anterior longitudinal ligament limit

Answer 6

extension of the spine

Question 7

what are the attachments of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 7

attaches to intervertebral discs and adjacent margins of vertebral bodies, from C2 vertebra to sacrum

Question 8

what movement does the posterior longitudinal ligament limit

Answer 8

flexion of the spine

Question 9

what are the attachments of the ligamentum flavum

Answer 9

passes between laminae of adjacent vertebrae from C1 to L5,, lower border of lamina above, upper border of lamina below

Question 9

what are the functions of the ligamentum flavum

Answer 9

-preserves upright posture
-resists excessive separation of adjacent vertebral laminae

Question 10

what are the attachments of the supraspinous ligament

Answer 10

band of longitudinal fibres running over the tips of the spinous processes of C7 to sacrum
(is continuous with the posterior edge of the interspinous ligament)

Question 11

what are the main functions of the supraspinous ligament

Answer 11

-limits flexion of the spine
- serves as a midline for attachment of important muscles
-helps maintain upright position of the head

Question 12

what are the attachments of the interspinous ligament?

Answer 12

attaches between adjacent vertebral spines

Question 13

what is the function of the interspinous ligament

Answer 13

limits flexion of the spine by restricting separation of the spinous processes

Question 14

what are the attachments of the intertransverse ligament

Answer 14

pass between adjacent transverse processes

Question 15

what happens during flexion of the lumbar spine

Answer 15

-anterior IVD compressed, posterior IVD stretched
-laminae move apart
-inferior facets move upwards
-tension in posterior ligaments
- tension in extensor muscles

Question 16

what happens during extension of the spine

Answer 16

-anterior IVD stretched, posterior IVD compressed
-spinous processes and laminae move together
-inferior facets glide downwards
- tension in anterior longitudinal ligament
-tension in flexor muscles

Question 17

what happens during lateral flexion of the spine on the same side of flexion

Answer 17

-IVD compressed
- laminae move together
-inferior facet glides downwards

Question 18

what happens during lateral flexion of the spine on the opposite side of flexion

Answer 18

-IVD stretched
-laminae move apart
-inferior facet moves upwards
-tension in lig. flavum and intertransverse lig
-tension in opposing muscles of the abdominal wall

Question 19

what is the role of the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 19

allows passage of spinal root nerves between central and peripheral nervous systems

Question 20

what are the boundaries of the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 20

anteriorly- vertebral body and IVD
posteriorly- facet joint
sup/inf- pedicles on adjacent vertebrae