Blue Boxes

Question 1

Jefferson fracture

Answer 1

aka burst fracture

Occurs when we have a blow to the top of the head. Thus, both arches of C1 (atlas) will break). Because our vertebral foramina are so big, this will usually not injure the spinal cord.

Question 2

Breaks in the axis (C2)

Answer 2

C2 (axis) is suspectible to breakage in 2 places.

1. Vertebral arches- this is known as hangman’s fracture and is caused by hyperextension of the HEAD (but not the neck).
2. Odontoid process can break as a result of a horizontal blow to the head. The transverse ligament is much stronger. If the dens breaks near the base, blood supply till be cut off because the transverse ligament is holding it away. Thus, it is best if it breaks inferior to the base bc it is much more likely to heal

Question 3

Spina bifida occulata

Answer 3

vertebral lamina fail to fuse and close off the vertebral foramen.

Commonly occurs at L5/S1 and we develop a tuft a hair there.

Question 4

If spina bifida includes meninges and neural tissue, what is it called

Answer 4

spina bifida cystica

Question 5

what vertebrae are the easiest to dislocate

Answer 5

cervical vertebrae because the articulating facets are more horizontal.

howover, this will usually not result in injury to the spinal cord because our vertebral foramen is so big.

Question 6

Spondylolysis

Answer 6

degenerative joint disease where the vertebral body breaks away from the vertebral arch

Question 7

Spondolethesis

Answer 7

anterior displacement of the vertebral body from the inferior vertebral.

Question 8

Spondylothesis can occur secondary to what?

Answer 8

Spondylolysis

Question 9

Lumbar spinal stenosis

Answer 9

narrowing of the lumbar vertebral foramen can cause compression of the spinal roots.

Question 10

In lumbar spinal stenosis, when is our vertal canal considered more compromised

Answer 10

intervertebral disk bluging,
arthrtic proliferation
ligamentous degeneration

Question 11

where do we do lumbar punctures?

Answer 11

L3/L4

L4/L5

Question 12

sacrilization of l5 vertebra

Answer 12

l5 incorperates into the sacrum

Question 13

lumbarization of S1

Answer 13

s1 is seperated from the sacrum

Question 14

Primary curvatures in our body

Answer 14

thoracic and sacral kyphosis

Question 15

secondary curvatures

Answer 15

cervical and lumbar lordosis

Question 16

abnormal kyphosis

Answer 16

exagerrated curvature of the thoracic vertebral columb results in humpback

Question 17

abnormal lordosis

Answer 17

lumbar lordosis results in sway back

Question 18

scoliosis

Answer 18

lateral curving of the spine, either to the L or R

Question 19

whiplash

Answer 19

whiplash results in tearing or stretching of the anterior longitudinal ligament. this ligament has a recoil effect that can result in hyperflexion

Question 20

When a fracture in the vertebral column occurs, the patient should what

Answer 20

be kept in hyperextension to allow the splinting effect of theanterior longitudinal ligament to help re-align the fragments of bone and keep further injury from the spinal cord

Question 21

low back and low limb pains is often caused by what

Answer 21

herniation of the nucleus pulposus through the annulus fibrosus.

Question 22

Where does herniation occur

Answer 22

postolaterally, where the annulus fibrosus does not receive support from the anterior or posterior longitudinal ligaments

Question 23

Herniation compresses what?

Answer 23

1. spinal nerve roots
2. cauda equina
3. spinal nerves

Question 24

herniation is more common where?

Answer 24

L4/L5 and L5/S1 because the foramen are smaller and the disks are larger

Question 25

not stretching before working out can causewhat?

Answer 25

back sprain- overstretching of ligaments

Question 26

muscle spasm

Answer 26

involuntary contraction of muscle to protect against further damage after a back STRAIN

Question 27

C6-C8 damage to spine

Answer 27

loss of hands and variable upper limb function. person may be able to use a wheel chair

Question 28

second more common reason people seea doc

Answer 28

back pain