Back Flashcards
How many cervical vertebra are there?
7
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5
How many segments of the sacrum are there?
5
How many segments of the coccyx are there?
4
How are cervical and lumbar lordosis related?
Both developed during childhood
Both angled backward (2nd degree curvature)
How are thoracic and sacral kyphosis related?
Both leaning forward, 1 degree curvature, present during fetal development
Back clinical correlates
scoliosis, lateral
lordosis, increase in lumbar curves
kyphosis hump back (osteoporosis)
Why is the vertebral foramen important?
Forms the canal where the spinal cord, meninges, fat, spinal nerve roots, and vessels are
Why is L4/L5 important?
Where most back pain is
Where is the atlanto-occipital joint?
In between the foramen magnum and C1
What is a hangman’s fracture?
hyperextension trauma injury, with prevertebral soft tissue swelling, rupture of the anterior longitudinal ligament, anterior dislocation of the C2 body, and interarticularis fractures
What is the anterior longitudinal ligament?
Anterior ligament extending from C1 to the sacrum. Wide, located on vertebral bodies
Limits extension
What is the posterior longitudinal ligament?
Narrow, weaker, on the posterior side of the spine, within vertebral canal. This limits flexion.
What is the nuchal/nuchae ligament?
Median ligament of the neck –> substitutes as bone for muscle attachment for C3-C5 spinous processes
looks like a fin
What is the ligament flavum?
between the lamina, thick tarp-like ligament that stops abrupt flexion, preventing injury to the intervertebral discs.
What are the accessory ligaments?
Intraspinous between spinous processes, supraspinous, and intertransverse
How long is the spinal cord?
about 45 cm
Where does the conus medullaris end?
L1-L2 in adults
Where does the conus medullaris end in neonates?
L3
What is the cauda equina?
The end of the spinal cord, which sends and receives messages between lower limbs and pelvic organs which consist of the bladder, rectum, and internal genital organs
When should you immediately be concerned regarding a patient with back pain?
If they complain of any issues with bladder, rectum, or genital organs which could mean a more serious nerve issue.
What is dura mater?
outermost layer of the meninges, which has a tough dural sac which ends at the 2nd sacral vertebrae. Spinal blocks are given between L3 & L4 or L4 & L5
What is arachnoid mater?
The middle layer, separated by dura-arachnoid
What is the pia mater?
vascular membrane that covers the spinal cord, separated from the arachnoid mater by the subarachnoid space, with CSF. Covers nerve roots and spinal cord vessels
How is the spinal cord held in place?
Filum terminale ( long piece of cauda equina)
How many spinal nerves are there?
31