Back and Vertebral Column

Question 1

How many vertebrae total in an adult?

Answer 1

26 (comes down from 33 after fusion of certain areas)

Question 2

Number of cervical vertebrae?

Answer 2

7 (breakfast at 7)

Question 3

Number of thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 3

12 (lunch at 12)

Question 4

Number of lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 4

5 (dinner at 5)

Question 5

How many sacral vertebrae?

Answer 5

5

Question 6

How many coccygeal vertebrae?

Answer 6

3-4

Question 7

Name the seven common processes on any given vertebra?

Answer 7

1 spinous process
2 transverse processes
4 articular processes (2 superior/2 inferior)

Question 8

The pedicles are found where?

Answer 8

They are found connecting the vertebral arch to the body of the vertebra

Question 9

The lamina are found where?

Answer 9

The lamina connect the spinous process to the transverse processes

Question 10

The spinal cord is housed where?

Answer 10

In the vertebral CANAL formed by the stacking of vertebrae and lining up of their vertebral FORAMEN

Question 11

Name the 2 Atypical Vertebrae

Answer 11

Atlas - C1

Axis - C2

Question 12

Special features of atlas?

Answer 12

Foramen in transverse processes for passage of vertebral arteries
No body and no spinous processes
Lateral masses that articulate with occipital condyles of skull

Question 13

Special features of axis?

Answer 13

Odontoid process = dens

Question 14

C1 and the skull articulate at which joint?

Answer 14

Atlanto-occipital joint (Flexion/Extension = yes)

Question 15

C2 and C1 articulate and which joint?

Answer 15

Atlanto-axial joint (Rotation = no)

Question 16

Cervical vertebrae notable for?

Answer 16

Foramen in transverse processes (passageway for vertebral arteries to the brain)

Question 17

Thoracic vertebra notable for..?

Answer 17

Costal facets - articulations with ribs

Question 18

Lumbar vertebrae are distinguished by?

Answer 18

Massive vertebral body w/ short spinous processes

Question 19

Primary curvatures of the spine occur in which (2) regions?

Answer 19

Thoracic and Sacral/coccygeal = kyphotic = flexed forward

Question 20

Secondary curvatures?

Answer 20

Cervical and Lumbar region - Lordotic

Question 21

Hunchback = excessive forward curvature

Answer 21

Kyphosis (in a sagittal plane)

Question 22

Lateral curvature of the spine

Answer 22

Scoliosis (in a coronal plane)

Question 23

(4) movements of the vertebral column?

Answer 23

Flexion (bend forward), Extension (backwards), Lateral flexion and Rotation

Question 24

Name the (2) types of joints found in the vertebral column?

Answer 24

Intervertebral joints - between the bodies; symphysis

Zygapophyseal joints - between the articular processes; synovial joints = facet joint

Question 25

Describe two components of intervertebral Discs?

Answer 25

Nucleus pulposus (inner jelly) and anulus fibrosus (outer rings)

Question 26

Name the 5 ligaments associated with vertebral column?

Answer 26

Anterior longitudinal ligament - anterior surface of body
Posterior longitudinal ligament - posterior surface of body
Ligamentum flavum - connects lamina of adj. vertebrae
Supraspinous and Interspinous

Question 27

Supraspinous ligament known as what in the cervical region?

Answer 27

Ligamentum nuchae

Question 28

There are 33 vertebrae but how many spinal segments?

Answer 28

31 (8C, 12T, 5L, 5S, 1C)

Question 29

Where does the spinal cord end?

Answer 29

Conus medullaris @ L1-L2 (why you can do a LP at L4-L5)

Question 30

Where do spinal nerves exit from?

Answer 30

Intervertebral foramen

Question 31

Cervical spinal nerves (C1-C7) exit where wrt their corresponding vertebra?

Answer 31

Rostrally (above)

Question 32

All other spinal nerves exit where wrt their corresponding vertebra?

Answer 32

Caudally (below)

Question 33

Disc herniations occur commonly in which portion of the IV disc?

Answer 33

Posterolateral portion due to lack of protecting ligaments and relative thinness of anulus fibrosus (commonly seen L4/L5 or C5/C6)

Question 34

Spina bifida (occulta)

Answer 34

failure of vertebral laminae to fuse (spinous processes at lumbar/sacaral level fail to form) asymptomatic

Question 35

Spina bifida (cystica)

Answer 35

a cyst protrudes through the defect in vertebral arch; can be detected in utero; may present with hydrocephalus as complication

Question 36

Spina bifida (cystica w/ meningocele)

Answer 36

protrusion of meninges through defect in spinal column; contains CSF

Question 37

Spina bifida (cystica w/ meningomyelocele)

Answer 37

protrusion of meninges AND spinal cord through defect in vertebral column; stretch of lumbosacral spinal nerves produces complications (bladder, bowel or lower limb weakness)

Question 38

Splenius Capitis

Answer 38

Inserting on mastoid process, sup. nuchal line
N: Dorsal rami of spinal nerve
A: Lateral flexion and rotate neck to side of active muscle (acting alone); Extend head and neck (both active)

Question 39

Splenius Cervicis

Answer 39

Inserting on transverse processes of C1-C4
N: Dorsal rami of spinal nerve
A: Lateral flexion and rotate neck to side of active muscle (alone); extend head and neck (both active)

Question 40

Semispinalis Capitis

Answer 40

Inserting between sup. and inf. nuchal lines
N: Dorsal rami of cervical spinal nerves
A: Extends neck and rotates head to opposite side

Question 41

Erector Spinae

Answer 41

N: Dorsal rami of respective spinal nerves in each region
A: acting together: extends vertebral column; alone-lateral flexion to the same side