Atypical Lumbar Vertebra: L5

Question 1

How many joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of the fifth lumbar?

Answer 1

six

Question 2

How many synovial joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of the fifth lumbar?

Answer 2

none

Question 3

How many cartilaginous (ampharthrosis) symphysis joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of L5?

Answer 3

two

Question 4

How many fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of L5?

Answer 4

four

Question 5

What muscles attach to the fifth lumbar vertebral body?

Answer 5

psoas major

Question 6

What is the orientation of the fifth lumbar superior articular facet?

Answer 6

backward, upward, medial (BUM); typically concave

Question 7

What is the orientation of the fifth lumbar inferior articular facet?

Answer 7

forward, lateral, downward (FoLD); significant convexity

Question 8

What is the name given to the congenital condition in which the fifth lumbar spinous process is elongated, the sacrum exhibits spina bifida, and dorsiflexion produces pain?

Answer 8

Knife Clasp Syndrome

Question 9

What muscles will attach to the fifth lumbar spinous process?

Answer 9

latissimus dorsi, iliocostalis lumborum, longissimus thoracis, multifidis, rotator longus, rotator brevis and interspinalis

Question 10

How many synovial joints are maximally observed at each lumbar vertebra?

Answer 10

L1-L5 = four each

Question 11

How many joints are traditionally observed at each lumbar vertebral body?

Answer 11

L1-L5 = six each

Question 12

What is the inferior articular facet orientation at each lumbar vertebra?

Answer 12

L1-L5 = forward, lateral, downward (FoLD)

Question 13

What is the appearance of the fifth lumbar vertebral body from the lateral view?

Answer 13

anterior height is greater than posterior height by several millimeters; it appears to form a wedge on a lateral X-ray view