Atypical Lumbar Vertebra L5/Misc. Lumbar Questions Flashcards
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 fifth lumbar vertebral body?
none
How many fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint surfaces are present on the L5 vertebral body?
four
Identify the fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint surfaces present on the L5 vertebral body?
superior and inferior anterior longitudinal ligament attachment sites; superior and inferior posterior longitudinal ligament attachment sitrs
How many joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of the fifth lumbar?
six
How many cartilaginous (amphiarthorsis) syndesmosis joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of L5?
two
What muscle(s) attach to the fifth lumbar vertebral body?
psoas major
What are the attachment sites of the superior corporotransverse ligaments at the L4-L5 intervertebral foramen?
L4 vertebral body and L4-L5 intervertebral disc to the transverse process of L5
What are the attachment sites of the inferior corporotransverse ligaments at the L4-L5 intervertebral foramen?
L5 vertebral body and L5-S1 intervertebral disc to the transverse process of L5
What characteristic of the L1-L4 pedicle may be used to differentiate it from the L5 segment? Be specific and complete as the difference(s) on a segment from each group.
On cranial view, the lateral surface of the pedicle is apparent on a L1-L4 segment. At L5 the transverse process originates from the vertebral body, pedicle and lamina-pedicle region.
What is the generic direction and length of the fifth lumbar transverse process?
it is directed straight lateral and is the shortest of all lumbar transverse processes
What accounts for the shortness of the L5 transverse process?
the hip/innominate bones diminish the available space in the transverse plane
What parts of the lumbar transverse are homologous to the cervical transverse process parts?
L transverse tubercle = C anterior tubercle; L transverse process = C costal element
L accessory process = C posterior tubercle
L transverse process origin = C true transverse process
What muscles may attach to the transverse process of the fifth thoracic vertebra?
psoas major, quadratus lumborum, longissimus thoracis, rotator brevis, rotator longus and intertransversarii
What ligaments traditionally attach to the transverse process of the fifth lumbar vertebra?
lumbosacral, iliolumbar, and mamillo-accessory ligaments
What is the orientation of the fifth lumbar superior articular facet?
backward, upward, medial (BUM); typically concave
What is the orientation of the fifth lumbar inferior articular facet?
forward, lateral, downward (FoLD); significant convexity
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?
knife clasp syndrome
What muscles will attach to the fifth lumbar spinous process?
latissimus dorsi, iliocostalis lumborum, longissimus thoracis, multifidus, rotator longus, rotator, brevis, and interspinalis
How many synovial joints are maximally observed at each lumbar vertebra?
L1-L5 = four each
How many joints are traditionally observed at each lumbar vertebral body?
L1-L5 = six each
What is the inferior articular facet orientation at each lumbar vertebra?
L1-L5 = forward, downward, lateral (FoLD)
