Back Introduction and Structure of the Spine

Question 1

You cannot feel the spinous process of the ______________ because of (explain why)

Answer 1

ligamentum nuchae.
Why? At the lower part of the spine, the ligament that runs overtop of the spinous processes is the supraspinous ligament. As that ligament travels up, it begins to become thicker until it eventually is the “ligamentum nuchae”. it serves to limit excessive flexion of the neck, and help bring the head to an upright position

Question 2

The supracristal line passes through the tip of _______ spinous process

Answer 2

L4

Question 2

C7 is also known as the _______

Answer 2

vertebrae prominens

Question 3

The inferior angle lines up with _______

Answer 3

T7

Question 4

The occipital nerve innervates and supplies __________________________

Answer 4

the posterior scalp

Question 5

The occipital artery is off of the _________________ and supplies the __________________

Answer 5

external carotid artery and supplies the posterior scalp

Question 6

The skin of the medial superior back is supplied by ______________ nerves and are considered _______________

Answer 6

cutaneous; dorsal rami

Question 7

The medial cutaneous nerves of the back accompanied by ___________ and _____________

Answer 7

intercostal arteries and veins

Question 8

What are the segments of the spine and how many vertebrae are in each

Answer 8

Cervial (7), thoracic (12), lumbar (5), sacral (5), coccyx (3-5 fused bones)

Question 9

What is the function of the body of the vertebrae?

Answer 9

the body is the site of the intervertebral discs which therefore absorbs most of the force of the spine. this is also why most of the damange of the spine occurs here.
contains amphiarthrotic and cartilaginous joints (symphyses)

Question 10

What is the function of the vertebral arch and what does it consist of?

Answer 10

consists of the lamina and pedicles
the function is to house and protect the spinous cord

Question 11

What is the function of the spinous/transverse processes?

Answer 11

serve as a site of attachment for ligaments and muscles

Question 12

What are the function of costal facets and where are they located?

Answer 12

serve as an attachment site for the ribs
they are located in the thoracic spine

Question 13

What is the function of articular processes/facets

Answer 13

connect vertebrae to vertebrae. depending on the location, allows and limits a certain type of movement in the respected vertebrae

Question 14

What is the function of the vertebral foramina?

Answer 14

holds spinal cord, cauda equina and menigeal coverings

Question 15

What is the function of the vertebral notches?

Answer 15

transmit spinal nerves off of spinal cord

Question 16

Describe the variations of the cervical vertebrae? And how would this variation explain its function?

Answer 16

bifid spinous process- provides space for nuchal ligament
flat articular surfaces- allows for the circumflexion of the neck
transverse foramina- houses the vertebral artery and vein

Question 17

Describe the variations of the thoracic vertebrae? And how would this variation explain its function?

Answer 17

long spinous process- provides protection to the spinal cord
costal facets- used as a site for rib attachments
outward articular surfaces- allows for rotation of the spine (moves back and forth/ left and right on each other). limits flexion and extension/side bending

Question 18

Describe the variations of the lumbar vertebrae? What is the lumbar spines function? And how would this variation explain its function?

Answer 18

thick bodies- site for thicker discs for shock absorption
bigger and more inward articular surfaces- prevents excessive rotation and allows for extension/ flexion of the back

Question 19

Describe the variations of the atlas? What is the atlas function? And how would this variation explain its function?

Answer 19

vertebral foramen- dens to insert there to allow for rotation of the neck
transverse foramen- vertebral artery and vein to run out of
transverse ligament- to hold the dens/odontoid process in
occipital condyles- makes up the atlantoccipital joint

Question 20

Describe the variations of the axis ? What is the axis function? And how would this variation explain its function?

Answer 20

dens- inserts into the vertebral foramen of the atlas to allow for rotation. makes up the atlantoaxial joint
bifid spinous process- allows space for nuchal ligament

Question 21

Describe the variations of the sacrum? What is the sacrums function? And how would this variation explain its function?

Answer 21

• fused bone structure- allows it to support the weight of entire body and limit movement
• anterior/posterior foramina- exit of ventral and dorsal rami of sacral spinal nerves
• auricular surfaces- forms the sacroiliac joint of the hip
  -median/lateral crest- serves as an attachement site for muscles and ligaments
  -sacral hiatus- accesss the sacral and coccygeal nerve roots
  -sacral canal- channel at the end of the spinal cord

Question 22

Nucleus pulposus is remnant of the

Answer 22

umbillical cord

Question 23

What is the function of intervertebral disks? How does it relate to the kinesiology of the spine?

Answer 23

-shock absorption
- the vertebral disks increase in size as your go down to the lumbar spine (only reminants in sacral spine), due to the emphasize of pressure that occurs in the lumbar (and part thoracic) spine

Question 24

___ to ____ of total length of the spine is lost due to loss of ______ and ______

Answer 24

20-25%; fluid, shrinkage

Question 25

Discs form _________________ joints. Explain what this means

Answer 25

amphiarthritic cartilaginous (limited movement)

Question 26

Disc herniation tends to happen on what part of the disc? Explain why

Answer 26

posterior, due to the annulus fibrous being thinner in the posterior portion as well as a more thin posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 27

Where does disc herniation most frequently occur?

Answer 27

L4-L5 or L5-S1

Question 28

Describe the curvature of each segment of the spine and whether its a primary or secondary curve
Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar
Sacral

Answer 28

cervical- concave posterior (secondary curve)
thoracic- concave anterior (primary curve)
lumbar- concave posterior (secondary curve)
sacral- concave anterior (primary curve)

Question 29

Where does kyphosis occur in the spine?

Answer 29

thoracic and sacral spine

Question 30

Where does lordosis occur in the spine?

Answer 30

lumbar spine

Question 31

Where does scoliosis occur in the spine?

Answer 31

usually thoracic spine

Question 32

Why can kyphosis occur?

Answer 32

fractures from osteoporosis

Question 33

Why does lordosis occur?

Answer 33

compression of posterior lumbar discs

Question 34

What are the functions of the following ligaments of the spine?

anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 34

• prevents hyperextensiion
• resides on the anterior portion of the vertebral body

Question 35

What are the functions of the following ligaments of the spine?

posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 35

• limits flexion
• runs along the posterior side of the vertebral body

Question 36

What are the functions of the following ligaments of the spine?

supraspinous ligament

Answer 36

-prevents hyperflexion
-stabilize the spine
- runs along spinous processes

Question 37

What are the functions of the following ligaments of the spine?

interspinous ligament

Answer 37

connects spinous processes

Question 38

What are the functions of the following ligaments of the spine?

intertransverse ligament

Answer 38

-connects transverse processes
- limits lateral bending

Question 39

What are the functions of the following ligaments of the spine?

ligamentum flavum

Answer 39

• connects laminae together
• helps the keep the spine upright and helps bring spine back into position during flexion