Back Arthrology

Question 1

What are the joints in C1/C2?

Answer 1

Compound Synovial Joint (Planar and Trochoid/Pivot)

Question 2

What are the joints in C3-S1?

Answer 2

Compound Joints (Symphysis and Planar Synovial)

Question 3

This ligament travels on the anterior surface of the vertebral bodies.

Answer 3

Anterior Longitudinal L.

Question 4

This is the term when there is hyperextension injury due to an automobile accident and results in excessive stretching and even tearing of the Anterior Longitudinal L. A recoil effect can often result in a hyper flexion injury as well.

Answer 4

Whiplash

Question 5

The ________ ________ L. is important due to its possible splinting action that should be used whenever fracture of the vertebral column is suspect (except cervical fractures due to hyperextension). When a fractures of the vertebral column occurs, the patient should be kept in hyperextension at all times. The pull of the _________ _________ L. will help realign fragments of bone and keep further injury to spinal cord from occurring.

Answer 5

Anterior Longitudinal

Anterior Longitudinal

Question 6

This ligament travels on the dorsal side of the vertebral bodies.

Answer 6

Posterior Longitudinal L.

Question 7

This ligament consists of pale yellow fibers that travel on the ventral surfaces of the vertebral Laminae.

Answer 7

Ligamentum Flavum

Question 8

What is the difference between intervertebral joins and zygapophyseal joints?

Answer 8

Intervertebral joints – Between vertebral bodies

Zygapophyseal joints – Between vertebral facets

Question 9

This ligament travels between adjacent spinous processes.

Answer 9

Interspinous L.

Question 10

This ligament travels between adjacent transverse processes.

Answer 10

Intertransverse L.

***Not well defined in cervical region, fibrous cords in thoracic, and thin membranes in lumbar.

Question 11

This ligament travels on the dorsal surface of the vertebral spinous processes and continues as the Ligamentum Nuchae in the cervical region.

Answer 11

Supraspinous L.

Question 12

What is in the Intervertebral Discs?

Answer 12

Annulus Fibrosis – Tough fibrous outer ring

Nucleus Pulposus – Soft gelatinous inner portion

Question 13

Herniation of the Nucleus Pulposus through the Annulus Fibrosis is a common cause of low back and lower limb pain. Why is this?

Answer 13

Herniation usually occurs posterolaterally where the Annulus Fibrosis receives no support from the Anterior and Posterior Longitudinal Ligaments. Compresses nerves and causes pain.

Question 14

Where is herniation most likely to occur?

Answer 14

L4/5 and L5/S1 because the discs are much larger and therefore more mobile.

Question 15

Explain the 2nd number rule.

Answer 15

Cervical vertebrae have 8 cervical nerves and only 7 vertebrae, so they exit ABOVE their respective numbers. So if there is a bulge between C5 and C6, then the C6 nerve will be affected.

Lumbar vertebrae nerves will exit below their respective numbers. So that means if there is a bulge between L2 and L3, the L3 nerve is affected because the L2 nerve has already exited superiorly to the bulge.

Always the 2ND number that is affected

Question 16

This is a condyloid synovial joint between the atlas and the basilar occipital bone.

Answer 16

Atlantooccipital Joint

Question 17

This stretches from the anterior arch of the atlas to the basilar occipital bone.

Answer 17

Anterior Atlantooccipital Membrane

Question 18

This stretches from the posterior surface of the body of the axis to the anterior internal margin of the Foramen magnum on the occipital bone.

Answer 18

Tectorial Membrane

Question 19

This stretches from the anterior surface of the posterior arch of the atlas to the posterior internal margin of the Foramen magnum of the occipital bone.

Answer 19

Posterior Atlantooccipital Membrane

Question 20

The Anterior Atlantooccipital Membrane is a continuation of what?

Answer 20

Anterior Longitudinal L.

Question 21

The Tectorial Membrane is a continuation of what?

Answer 21

Posterior Longitudinal L.

Question 22

The Posterior Atlantooccipital Membrane is a continuation of what?

Answer 22

Ligamentum Flavum

Question 23

This is a Trochoid Synovial joint that lies between the anterior facet of the Dens of the Axis and the articular facet for the Dens on the Atlas.

Answer 23

Median Atlantoaxial Joint

Question 24

What does the Cruciate L. consist of?

Answer 24

Superior Longitudinal Band
Transverse L. of the Atlas
Inferior Longitudinal Band

***Called “Cruciate” because it looks like a cross

Question 25

This part of the Cruciate L. stretches from the occipital bone to the Transverse L.

Answer 25

Superior Longitudinal Band

Question 26

This part of the Cruciate L. stretches from the Transverse L. to C2.

Answer 26

Inferior Longitudinal Band

Question 27

This part of the Cruciate L. goes around the Odontoid Process, from Tubercle of the Transverse L. to the adjacent Tubercle of the Transverse L.

Answer 27

Transverse L.

Question 28

What makes up the Atlantooccipital Joint?

Answer 28

Anterior Atlantooccipital Membrane
Tectorial Membrane
Posterior Atlantooccipital Membrane

Question 29

What makes up the Median Atlantoaxial Joint?

Answer 29

Cruciate L.
Alar L.
Apical L. of the Dens

Question 30

This part of the Median Atlantoaxial joint stretches from the Odontoid Process to the lateral margins of the Foramen Magnum.

Answer 30

Alar L.

Question 31

This part of the Median Atlantoaxial joint stretches from the apex of the Dens to the anterior internal margin of the Foramen Magnum.

Answer 31

Apical L. of the Dens

Question 32

This joint is Planar Synovial and lies between the Superior and Inferior Articulating processes of the Atlas and Axis.

Answer 32

Lateral Atlantoaxial Joint

Question 33

At the cervical intervertebral joint the joint between the Uncinate Process of the inferior vertebra and beveled inferior surface of the superior vertebra is described as an __________ joint (of _______). It is unclear whether this joint should be classified as synovial.

Answer 33

Uncovertebral

Luschka

Question 34

This is a compound joint (Symphysis and Planar Synovial) between L5 and the Sacrum.

Answer 34

Lumbosacral Joint

Question 35

This part of the Lumbosacral Joint travels on the ventral surface of the vertebral bodies, onto the ventral surface of the Sacrum.

Answer 35

Anterior Longitudinal L.

Question 36

This part of the Lumbosacral Joint travels on the dorsal surface of the vertebral bodies, onto the anterior wall of the Sacral Canal.

Answer 36

Posterior Longitudinal L.

Question 37

This part of the Lumbosacral Joint consists of pale yellow fibers and travels on the ventral surfaces of the vertebral laminae, onto the posterior wall of the Sacral Canal.

Answer 37

Ligamentum Flavum

Question 38

What is absent in the Lumbosacral Joint that was present in the other Vertebral Joints?

Answer 38

Interspinous L.
Intertransverse L.
Supraspinous L.

Question 39

This part of the Lumbosacral Joint travels from the L5 Transverse Processes to the Iliac Crest.

Answer 39

Iliolumbar L.

Question 40

This part of the Lumbosacral Joint travels from the L5 Transverse Processes and Body to the Sacral Ala.

Answer 40

Lumbosacral L.