Back: joints or articulations of the vertebral column

Question 1

Disc

Answer 1

made up of annulus fibrosis and nucleus pulposis
act as shock absorbers
form the secondary cartilaginous joints between vertebral bodies
made of water and collagen fibers, proteoglycans
approx 1/4 of spine length
no disc between occiput and C1, C1-C2

Question 2

Annulus Fibers

Answer 2

concentric layers made of collagen fibers
bundles of collagen fibers, obliquely oriented
direction of fibers alternate at each layer
anchor disc to bone or cartilaginous end plate
outside layer will blend w/ALL and PLL
outside layers are innervated

Question 3

Nucleus Pulposus

Answer 3

inner layer of intervertebral disc
proteoglycans attract water to dics
transition from annulus
contains collagen fibers
with age, decrease proteoglycans, decreased disc high (less proteoglycan=less water)

Question 4

Uncovertebral (joints of Luschka)

Answer 4

formed by uncinate process of C3-C7
between beveled uncinate process of each vertebrae
“pseudo joint”
prone to degenerative changes

Question 5

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

Answer 5

Runs from the occiput to the sacrum along anterior portion of vertebral column
increasing in width as it goes down
Function- limits extension, support anterior annulus fibrosis of disc

Question 6

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Answer 6

C2-sacrum
runs along posterior vertebral column w/vertebral canal
attaches C2 @ sacrum
decreasing in width as it goes down
more narrow and less substantial than ALL
functipn- limits flexion, supports posterior annulus fibrosis of disc

Question 7

Ligamentum Flavum

Answer 7

connects the lamina between each vertebrae
forms part of posterior wall of vertebrael canal
gradually thicken as descend from C to L
high elastin conten

Question 8

Function of Ligamentum Flavum

Answer 8

allows smooth flexion of vertebrae, reduce potential for IVD injury
elasticity assists with restoring neutral position after flexion of spine

Question 9

Interspinous Ligaments

Answer 9

connect adjacent spinous processes

attach along inferior and superior portion of SP

Question 10

Supraspinous Ligaments

Answer 10

connects adjacent spinous processes
attachment of apices of each SP
C7-sacrum
Merges superiorly with nuchal ligament

Question 11

Nuchal Ligament

Answer 11

EOP C7
connects the EOP, posterior tubericle of C1 and SP’s of C2-7
acts as a septum separating muscles of R/L posterior neck

Question 12

Intertransverse ligaments

Answer 12

connect TP’s between adjacent vertebrae

Question 13

Atlanto-occipital joints

Answer 13

connects C1 to the occiput
synovial joints
orientation provides flexion/extension movement of head and neck

Question 14

Median Alantoaxial joint (of atlantoaxial joint)

Answer 14

odontoid (dens) articulates with anterior arch of C1, pivor type
provides rotation, C1 and occiput rotation as unit on C2

Question 15

Atlanto-axial membrane (of atlanto-occipital joints)

Answer 15

attaches to the anterior body of C2 and anterior arch of C1

Question 16

Facet Joints of C1-C2

Answer 16

Synovial plane type of joint, provide gliding movement-orientation allows for rotation

Question 17

Tectorial Membrane

Answer 17

Acts as continuation of PLL from below
C2 to foramen magnum
Runs posterior to cruciate ligament

Question 18

Cruciate Ligament

Answer 18

cruciate ligament= transverse ligament+ superior/inferior longitudinal bands

fxn: stabilizes dens against anterior arch of C1, acts as a posterior wall and forms a socket for dens

Question 19

Alar Ligaments

Answer 19

extends from sides of dens to lateral margin of foramen magnum, LIMIT excessive rotation

Question 20

Apical Ligaments

Answer 20

extends from sides of dens to lateral margin of foramen magnum
Limits excessive rotation

Question 21

Anterior Atlanto-Occipital Membrane

Answer 21

connects arches of C1 to occiput, helps prevent excessive movement at atlanto occipital joint.

Extension of the ALL

Question 22

Posterior Atlanta-Occipital Membrane

Answer 22

Extension of the Ligamentun Flavum

connects arches of C1 to occiput, helps prevent excessive movement at atlanto occipital joint