Back Arthrology

Question 1

What are the two general joint types of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

Intervertebral Joints and Zygapophyseal Joints

Question 2

• a synovial joint between the superior articular process of one vertebra and the inferior articular process of the vertebra directly above it
• there are two facet joints in each spinal motion segment
• the bones glide and slide, but do not bend (non-axial)

Answer 2

Zygapophyseal Joints

Question 3

• a fibrocartilaginous fusion between two bones
• a type of cartilaginous joint, specifically a secondary cartilaginous joint
• an amphiarthrosis, a slightly movable joint

Answer 3

Symphysis Joint (secondary cartilaginous joint)

Question 4

• if there are multiple articulations within one joint that go between (have at least two of these) the three main joint types Synovial, Cartilaginous, and Fibrous Joints

Answer 4

Compound Joint

Question 5

What types of joints are these?

Answer 5

(top to bottom right)

• Compound Synovial: Planar and Trochoid
• Compound Joints: Symphysis and Planar Synovial
• Symphysis

Question 6

Ligament of Vertebral Joints

Answer 6

Anterior Longitudinal L. (travels on the anterior surface of the vertebral bodies)

Question 7

Ligament of Vertebral Joints

Answer 7

Posterior Longitudinal L. (travels on the dorsal surface of the vertebral bodies)

Question 8

Ligament of Vertebral Joints

Answer 8

Ligamentum Flavum (pale yellow fibers which travel on the ventral surfaces of Vertebral Laminae)

Question 9

Ligament of Vertebral Joints

Answer 9

Interspinous L. (travels between adjacent Spinous Processes)

Question 10

Ligament of Vertebral Joints

Answer 10

Intertransverse L. (not well defined in Cervical Region, fibrous cords in the Thoracic Region, thin membranes in the Lumbar region)

Question 11

Ligament of Vertebral Joints

Answer 11

Supraspinous L. (travels on the dorsal surface of the Vertebral Spinous Processes, continues as the Ligamentum Nuchae in the Cervical Region)

Question 12

Intervertebral Discs

Answer 12

Annulus Fibrosis (tough fibrous outer region, overlapping lamellae of Fibrocartilage)

Question 13

Intervertebral Discs

Answer 13

Nucleus Pulposus (soft gelatinous inner portion)

Question 14

An injury that is common in automobile accidents and results in excessive stretching and even tearing of the Anterior Longitudinal L. A recoil effect can often result in a hyperflexion injury as well.

Answer 14

Hyperextension or whiplash

Question 15

Why is it important to keep a patient in hyperextension at all times (except with a cervical fractures) when a vertebral fracture is suspected?

Answer 15

The Anterior Longitudinal L. splints the vertebral column because the pull will help realign fragments of bone and keep further injury to the spinal cord from occurring.

Question 16

Herniation of the Nucleus Pulposus through the Annulus Fibrosis is a common cause of low back and lower limb pain. Herniation typically occurs posterolaterally where the Annulus Fibrosis receives no support from the Anterior and Posterior Longitudinal L. The resultant bulge compresses Spinal Nerve Roots, the Cauda Equina and Spinal Nerves in the Vertebral Canal and Intervertebral Foramina respectively. Herniation is most common at L4/5 and L5/S1, where the discs are much larger and therefore more mobile

Answer 16

Disc Herniation

Question 17

For the cervical and lumbar regions, the vertebral level at which the prolapse occurs will affect the spinal nerve with the second number designation. Example: A prolapse at C5/6 will affect spinal nerve 6 (which exits the column at C5/6). In the Cervical Region this is because the numbering system of Spinal Nerves in the Cervical Region (C1 Spinal Nerve coming out above C1 Vertebra and C2 Spinal Nerve coming out below C1 vertebra, resulting in 8 Cervical Spinal Nerves). However a prolapse at L4/5 will affect spinal nerve 5 (which exits at L5/S1). This is because lumbar spinal nerves exit the Vertebral Canal superior to the Intervertebral Disc, therefore herniation will not affect the nerve exiting at that level, but will affect the nerve one level inferior.

Answer 17

Second Number Rule

Question 18

What joint is this?

Answer 18

Atlantooccipital Joint

Question 19

The Anterior Longitudinal L. travels up the anterior aspect of vertebral bodies and turns into what once it reaches the occipital lobe?

Answer 19

Anterior Atlantooccipital Membrane (from the Anterior Arch of the Atlas to the basilar Occipital B.)

Question 20

What does the Posterior Longitudinal L. that runs up the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies turn into once it reaches the occipital lobe?

Answer 20

Tectorial Membrane (from the posterior surface of the Body of the Axis to the anterior internal margin of the Foramen Magnum of the Occipital B.)

Question 21

The Ligamentum Flavum runs along the anterior surface of Lamina (inside the Vertebral Canal) and turns into what once it reaches the Occipital B.?

Answer 21

Posterior Atlantooccipital Membrane (from the anterior surface of the Posterior Arch of the Atlas to the posterior internal margin of the Foramen Magnum of the Occipital B.

Question 22

What type of joint(s) is this?

Answer 22

• Median Atlantoaxial Joint (Trochoid Synovial Joint; between the anterior facet of the Dens of the Axis and the articular facet for the Dens of the Atlas)
• Lateral Atlantoaxial Joint (Planar Synovial Joint; between Superior and Inferior Articulating processes of the Atlas and Axis)

Question 23

What Ligament is made up by the Superior Longitudinal Band, Transverse L. of the Atlas, and the Inferior Longitudinal Band?

Answer 23

Cruciate L.

Question 24

Answer 24

Superior Longitudinal Band (from the Occipital B. to the Transverse L.)

Question 25

Answer 25

Transverse L. of the Atlas (around Odontoid Process, from Tubercle of the Transverse L. to contralateral Tubercle of the Transverse L.)

Question 26

Answer 26

Inferior Longitudinal Band (from C2 to Transverse L.)

Question 27

Answer 27

Alar L. (from the Odontoid Process of the Axis to the lateral margins of the Foramen Magnum of the Occipital B.)

Question 28

Answer 28

Apical L. of the Dens (extends from the apex of the Dens to the anterior internal margin of the Foramen Magnum)

Question 29

What is this sub-joint called?

(It is the joint within the Cervical Intervertebral Joint between the Uncinate Process of the Inferior Vertebra and beveled inferior surface of the superior Vertebra, it is unclear whether this joint should be classified as Synovial)

Answer 29

Uncovertebral Joint (Joint of Luschka)

Question 30

What joint is this?

Answer 30

Lumbosacral Joint (Compound Joint (Symphysis and Planar Synovial, between L5 and the Sacrum)

Question 31

Ligaments of the lumbosacral and sacrococcygeal joints (anterior aspect)

Answer 31

Anterior Longitudinal L. (travels on the ventral surface of the vertebral bodies, onto the Ventral Surface of the Sacrum)

Question 32

Ligaments of the lumbosacral and sacrococcygeal joints (anterior aspect)

Answer 32

Iliolumbar L. (travels from the L5 Transverse Processes to the Iliac Crest)

Question 33

Ligaments of the lumbosacral and sacrococcygeal joints (anterior aspect)

Answer 33

Lumbosacral L. (travels from L5 Transverse Process and Body to the Sacral Ala, like an Intratransverse L.)

Question 34

What typical vertebral ligaments are absent in the Lumbosacral Joint?

Answer 34

• Interspinous L.
• Intertransverse L.
• Supraspinous L.

Question 35

Ligaments of the lumbosacral and sacrococcygeal joints (anterior aspect)

Answer 35

Posterior Longitudinal L. (travels on the dorsal surface of the vertebral bodies, onto the anterior wall of the Sacral Canal)

Question 36

Ligaments of the lumbosacral and sacrococcygeal joints (anterior aspect)

Answer 36

Ligamentum Flavum (pale yellow fibers which travel on the ventral surfaces of vertebral laminae, onto the posterior wall of the Sacral Canal)