Atypical Lumbar Vertebra: L5 Flashcards
What is the generic size of the fifth lumbar vertebral body from the cranial view?
transversely broad
What is the generic shape of the fifth lumbar vertebral body from the cranial view?
reniform or kidney-shaped
What is the appearance of the fifth lumbar vertebral body from the lateral view?
- anterior height is greater than posterior height by several millimeters
- it appears to form a wedge on a lateral x-ray view
How many synovial joint surfaces are present at the L5 vertebral body?
none
What is the joint classification for the spongy bone-intervertebral disc articulation?
cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis
What is the joint classification for the longitudinal lig. attachments?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis
How many fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint surfaces are present on the L5 vertebral body?
4
Identify the fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint surfaces present on the L5 vertebral body.
- superior and inferior anterior longitudinal lig. attachment sites
- superior and inferior posterior longitudinal lig. attachment sites
How many joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of L5?
6
How many cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of L5?
2
What joint classifications are observed on the vertebral body of L5?
- cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis
- fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis
What muscle attaches to the L5 vertebral body?
psoas major
What are the attachment sites of the superior transforaminal lig. at the L4-L5 intervertebral foramen?
- L4 vertebral body
- inferior articular process of L4
What are the attachment sites of the middle transforaminal lig. at the L4-L5 intervertebral foramen?
- intervertebral disc
- inferior articular process of L4
What are the attachment sites of the inferior transforaminal lig. at the L4-L5 intervertebral foramen?
- L5 vertebral body
- superior articular process of L5
What are the attachment sites of the superior corporotransverse lig. at the L4-L5 intervertebral foramen?
- L4 vertebral body
- L4-L5 intervertebral disc
- TVP of L5
What are the attachment sites of the inferior corporotransverse lig. at the L4-L5 intervertebral foramen?
- L5 vertebral body
- L5-S1 intervertebral disc
- TVP of L5
What is the orientation of the pedicle to L5?
posterior
At what location on the vertebral body of L5 will the pedicle attach?
to the upper third or half of the vertebral body
Which spinal nerve will be accommodated on the superior vertebral notch of L5?
L4 spinal nerve
Which spinal nerve will be accommodated on the inferior vertebral notch of L5?
L5 spinal nerve
What is the outline of the vertebral foramen of L5?
triangular
Which is the greatest diameter of the vertebral foramen of L5?
transverse
What part of the PNS is present in the L5 vertebral foramen?
cauda equina
What is the generic direction and length of the L5 TVP?
it is directed straight lateral and is the shortest of all lumbar TVPs
What accounts for the shortness of the L5 TVP?
the hip/innominate bones diminsh the available space in the transverse plane
What is the distal modification of the TVP of L5?
transverse tubercle
What muscle attaches to the L5 accessory process?
longissimus thoracis
What muscles may attach to the TVP of L5?
- psoas major
- quadratus lumborum
- longissimus thoracis
- rotator brevis
- rotator longus
- intertransversarii
Which of the erector spinae muscles attach to the TVP of L5?
longissimus
Which of the transversospinalis muscle groups attach to the TVP of L5?
rotators
What lig. traditionally attach to the TVP of L5?
- lumbosacral
- iliolumbar
- mammillo-accessory
What joint classifications are present at the TVP of L5?
- fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis
What is the name of the lamina-pedicle junction of L5?
pars interarticularis
What is the position of the pars interarticularis relative to the apophyseal regions of L5?
lateral to the spinous process, medial to the TVP, and in between the articular processes
What is characteristic of the L5 articular processes?
The transverse diameter of superior articular processes will be greater than the transverse diameter of the inferior articular processes of that same segment and it is the greatest distance in the lumbar spine.
What is the reported angulation and x-ray appearnce of the L5 articular facets?
they lie in the vertical plane and are coronal facets
What is the orientation of the L5 superior articular facet?
- backward, upward, medial (BUM)
- typically concave
What is the orientation of the L5 inferior articular facet?
- forward, lateral, downward (FoLD)
- significant convexity
What is the joint classification for the L5 zygapophysis?
synovial (diarthrosis) arthrodia
How many synovial joints are present on L5?
4
Identify the synovial joints present on L5.
- two superior articular facets
- two inferior articular facets
What is the usual condition for the L5 spinous process?
non-bifid and short
What is the usual appearance of the L5 spinous process?
rectangular with the long axis in the superior-inferior orientation
What is the name given to the congenital condition in which the L5 spinous process is elongated, the sacrum exhibits spina bifida, and dorsiflexion produces pain?
knife clasp syndrome
What muscles will attach to the L5 spinous process?
- latissimus dorsi
- iliocostalis lumborum
- longissimus thoracis
- multifidis
- rotator longus
- rotator brevis
- interspinalis
What lig. will attach to the L5 spinous process?
- interspinous
- supraspinous
