Back Flashcards
Parts of most vertebra
vertebral body, peduncle, lamina, vertebral foramen, interverterbral foramen, spinous process, vertebral arch, superior & inferior articular process, articular facet, vertebral notch, intervertebral disc
spina bifida
-incomplete fusion of the lamina in embryo
-prenatal folic acid can aid
which region is the most mobile?
cervical region
which has the smallest vertebral body and why?
cervical because it is less weight bearing, the body gets thicker as you go inferior because more weight bearing
what do bifid spinous processes do?
increase surface area for muscle attachment
what are the functions of the vertebral column?
weight bearing, mobility & protection
what gives the vertebral column mobility?
facet joints
the ALL connects what? and what does it prevent?
anterior surfaces of vertebral bodies and intervening IV discs
-prevent excessive extension
Where does the PLL:
attach?
prevent?
where does it change its name and what is the name?
loosely to posterior aspects of vertebral bodies and securely to IV disc
-excessive flexion
-at C2 to tectorial membrane
What does the ligament flavum:
connect?
Where does it change its name?
Limits ?
lamina to lamina
- at C1
-flexion
Supraspinous ligament:
runs?
becomes?
where?
limits?
-surface of spinous processes from C7 to sacrum
-nuchal ligament
-C7 to occipital bone
-flexion
what does interspinous ligaments connect and limit?
connect successive spinous processes (deep)
limiting flexion
what does inter transverse ligament connect and limit?
connect successive transverse processes, limits flexion
How might a patient with scoliosis present?
-Lateral curvature of spine
-asymmetry in paraspinal muscle strength, leg length or developmental problem with one side of the vertebrae
-Excessove kyphosis in thoracic region
-excessive lordosis
What is vertebral body osteoporosis?
-metabolic bone disease
-calcium favors reabsorption rather than deposition
-demineralized bone is weak & brittle
What is a compression fracture?
crushing of vertebral bodies
What causes fractures and dislocations of the vertebrae?
excessive, violent movement or movement not permitted in that region
What is a laminectomy and what is it used for?
-surgical removal of the spinous process and adjacent lamina
-performed to gain access to spinal canal & cord to relieve pressure on cord and nerve roots
How is a lumbar spinal stenosis characterized?
usually inherited, characterized by a narrow vertebral foramina in lumbar region
What is spondylosis?
fracture because separation of pars
Spondylolthesis
