Back Arthrology Flashcards
Describe the C1/2 vertebral joint
Compound synovial joint (planar and trochoid)
Describe the intervertebral joints between C3-S1
Symphysis joint
What class of joints is the vertebral joint between S5 and Co1
Symphysis
What class of joints is the zygopophyseal joint between C1-S1?
Planar synovial
What is the anterior longitudinal ligament?
Travels on the anterior surface of the vertebral bodies
What is the posterior longitudinal ligament?
Travels on the dorsal surface of the vertebral bodies
What is the ligamentum flavum?
Pale, yellow fibers which travel on the ventral surfaces of vertebral laminae
What is the interspinous ligament?
Travels between the adjacent spinous processes
Describe characteristics of the intertransverse ligament
Not well defined in the cervical region
Fibrous cords in the thoracic region
Thin membranes in the lumbar region
What is the supraspinous ligament?
Travels on the dorsal surface of the vertebral spinous processes, continues as the Ligamentum nuchae in the cervical region
What is the annulus fibrosis?
A tough fibrous outer region overlapping lamellae of fibrocartilage
What is the nucleus pulposus?
Soft gelatinous inner portion
What are the intervertebral discs composed of?
Annulus fibrosis and nucleus pulposus
What is the atlantoccipital joint?
A condyloid synovial joint between the atlas and basilar occipital bone
Which ligaments are responsible for holding the atlantoccipital joint together?
Anterior atlantoccipital membrane, tectorial membrane and posterior atlantoccipital membrane
What is the anterior occipital membrane?
From the anterior arch of the atlas to the basilar occipital bone
What is the tectorial membrane?
From the posterior surface of the body of the axis to the anterior internal margin of the foramen magnum on the occipital bone
What is the tectorial membrane?
From the posterior surface of the body of the axis to the anterior internal margin of the foramen magnum on the occipital bone
What is the posterior atlantoccipital membrane?
From the anterior surface of the posterior arch of the atlas to the posterior internal margin of the foramen magnum of the occipital bone
What is the anterior atlantoccipital membrane a continuation of?
The anterior longitudinal ligament
What is the tectorial membrane a continuation of?
The posterior longitudinal membrane
What is the posterior atlantoccipital membrane a continuation of?
The ligamentum flavum
What are vertebral joints/syndesmoses?
Ligamentous structures that support the vertebral column
What is the medial atlantoaxial joint?
A trochoid synovial joint between the anterior facet of the dens of the axis and the articular facet for the dens of the atlas
What is the cruciate ligament composed of?
Superior longitudinal band, transverse ligament of the atlas and inferior longitudinal band
What is the location of the superior longitudinal band of the cruciate ligament?
From the occipital bone to the transverse ligament
Describe the transverse ligament of the atlas
Around the odontoid process from the tubercle fo the transverse ligament to contralateral tubercle of the transverse L
Describe the inferior longitudinal band of the cruciate L
From C2 to transverse L
What is the alar ligament (atlantoaxial joint)?
From the odontoid process of the axis to the lateral margins of the foramen magnum of the occipital bone
What is the apical ligament of the dens?
Extends from the apex of the dens to the anterior internal margin of the foramen magnum
What is the lateral atlantoxial joint?
A planar synovial joint between superior and inferior articulating processes of the atlas and axis
What is the lumbar sacral joint?
A compound joint (symphysis and planar synovial) between L5 and the sacrum
Which ligaments hold the atlantoaxial joint together?
Cruciate L, alar L and apical L of the dens
Which ligaments are responsible for holding the lumbar sacral joint together?
Anterior and posterior longitudinal L, ligamentum flavum, iliolumbar L, and intervertebral disc
Which ligaments are absent from the lumbar sacral joint?
Interspinous, intertransverse, and supraspinous
What is the iliolumbar ligament?
Travels from L5 transverse process and body to the iliac crest
Also includes the lumbosacral L
What is the lumbosacral ligament?
Travels from L5 transverse process and body to the ala
What is a hyperextension or whip lash injury?
An injury common in automobile accidents and results in excessive stretching and even tearing of the anterior longitudinal L
A recoil effect can often result in hyper flexion injury as well
Why is the anterior ligament important?
Due to its possible splinting action that should be used whenever fracture of the vertebral column is suspected (except cervical fractures due to hyperextension)
When a fracture of the vertebral column occurs the pt should be kept in what position at all times?
Hyperextension
The pull of the anterior longitudinal L will help realign fragments of bone and keep further injury to the spinal cord from occurring
What is a common cause of low back and lower limb pain?
Herniation of the nucleus pulposus through the annulus fibrosis
Where does herniation typically occur?
Posterolaterally where the annulus fibrosis receives no support from the anterior and posterior longitudinal L
At what level is herniation most common?
At L4/5 and L5/S1 where the discs are much larger and therefore more mobile
What is the second number rule?
For the cervical and lumbar regions the vertebral level at which the prolapse occurs will affect the spinal nerve with the second number designation
Ex. Prolapse at C5/6 will affect spinal nerve 6
What is the uncovertebral joint (of Lushka)?
The joint between the uncinate process of the inferior vertebra and beveled inferior surface of the superior vertebra
Located at the cervical intervertebral joint
