Back and Vertebrae Revised Flashcards
How many cervical vertebra are there?
7
How many thoracic vertebra are there?
12
How many lumbar vertebra are there?
5
How many sacral vertebra are there?
5
How many coccygeal vertebra are there?
1
In total, how many spinal nerves are there?
31 pairs
How any cranial nerves are there?
12 pairs
Which part of the vertebrae has the function of weight bearing?
Lumbar
Which region of the vertebrae is attached to ribs?
Thoracic
Which structure of a vertebra is most anterior?
Body
Which structure of a vertebra is most posterior?
Spinous process
What lies within the vertebral foraman?
Spinal cord
What lies within the intervertebral foramen?
Spinal nerves
Name the joint between the vertebral column and ribs.
Synovial plane
Name the joint between bodies of vertebra.
Symphysis joint
Name the joint found between the atlas and axis.
Synovial pivot joint
Name the joint found between the skull and atlas.
Ellipsoid joint
At what vertebral level would you find the atlas?
C1
At which vertebral level would you find the axis joint?
C2
What specific name is given to C7?
Vertebra Prominens
What shape is a lumbar vertebral body?
Kidney shaped
What shape is a thoracic vertebral body?
Heart shaped
What shape is a cervical vertebral body?
Cube shaped (smaller and wider compared to lumbar and thoracic).
Name the joint found between the superior and inferior articular processes.
Synovial plane joint
Name the two parts of an IV disc.
Nucleus pulposus
Annulus fibrosus
What happens if someone has a ‘slipped disc’?
Nucleus pulposus has herniated through the annulus fibrosus.
Which direction would the nucleus pulposus have to protrude in order to compress an emerging spinal nerve?
Posterior lateral
What does the ligamentum favum connect?
Lamina of adjacent vertebra.
What does the anterior longitudal ligament connect?
Vertebral bodies and IV discs
What does the posterior longitudal ligament connect?
Vertebral bodies and discs
What does the supraspinous ligament connect?
Spinous processes
What does the interspinous ligament connect?
Inferior spinous processes to the processes above it
Describe lordosis.
Lumbar and cervical curvature of the spine.
Describe kyphosis
Thoracic and sacral curvature of the spine.
Which spinal defect creates a ‘hunchback’?
Kyphosis
Describe scoliosis.
Abnormal curvature accompanied by rotation of the vertebrae.
What can assist with restriction of movements in the thoracic region?
Ribs
Which movements are permitted by the cervical region of the spine?
Flexion
Lateral flexion
Which movements are permitted by the lumbar region of the spine?
Extension
Lateral flexion
Which movements are permitted by the thoracic region of the spine?
Rotation
Which movements are restricted in the thoracic region?
Flexion
What movement do the posterior vertebral muscles allow?
Extension of the spine
What movement do the anterior vertebral muscles allow?
Flexion of the spine
Which movements occur when muscles on the right and left side of the vertebral column contract bilaterally?
Flexion
Extension
Which movements occur when muscles on the right and left side of the vertebral column contract unilaterally?
Rotation
Lateral flexion
What are the main posterior muscles?
Erector spinae
Where do erector spinae lie?
Between the vertebral transverse and spinous processes.
Given two examples of anterior muscles which act on the vertebral column.
Sternocleidomastoid muscles
Anterior abdominal wall muscles.
Name three anterior muscles we need to know lol
Oblique muscles
Transverse abdominus
Rectus abdominus
What is the vertebral level of the spine of scapula?
T3
What is the vertebral level of the infeior angle of the scapula?
T7
What is the vertebral level of the summit of the iliac crest?
L4
What is the function of a lumbar puncture?
To collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid
What can a lumbar puncture help with?
The diagnosis of meningitis
Diagnosis of a brain bleed
Anaesthetic purposes like an epidural
At which level is a lumbar puncture performed?
L3/4 in adults
L4/5 in children
Why is a lumbar puncture carried out at L3/4?
Prevents damage to conus medullaris
Why may a patient be asked to flex their lumbar spine when getting a lumbar puncture?
Spreads laminar and spinous processes apart.
Stretches ligamentum flava
What is the nerve supply to the erector spinae?
Posterior rami of spinal nerve
