Blue Boxes Flashcards
Jefferson fracture
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.
Breaks in the axis (C2)
C2 (axis) is suspectible to breakage in 2 places.
- Vertebral arches- this is known as hangman’s fracture and is caused by hyperextension of the HEAD (but not the neck).
- 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
Spina bifida occulata
vertebral lamina fail to fuse and close off the vertebral foramen.
Commonly occurs at L5/S1 and we develop a tuft a hair there.
If spina bifida includes meninges and neural tissue, what is it called
spina bifida cystica
what vertebrae are the easiest to dislocate
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.
Spondylolysis
degenerative joint disease where the vertebral body breaks away from the vertebral arch
Spondolethesis
anterior displacement of the vertebral body from the inferior vertebral.
Spondylothesis can occur secondary to what?
Spondylolysis
Lumbar spinal stenosis
narrowing of the lumbar vertebral foramen can cause compression of the spinal roots.
In lumbar spinal stenosis, when is our vertal canal considered more compromised
intervertebral disk bluging,
arthrtic proliferation
ligamentous degeneration
where do we do lumbar punctures?
L3/L4
L4/L5
sacrilization of l5 vertebra
l5 incorperates into the sacrum
lumbarization of S1
s1 is seperated from the sacrum
Primary curvatures in our body
thoracic and sacral kyphosis
secondary curvatures
cervical and lumbar lordosis
abnormal kyphosis
exagerrated curvature of the thoracic vertebral columb results in humpback
abnormal lordosis
lumbar lordosis results in sway back
scoliosis
lateral curving of the spine, either to the L or R
whiplash
whiplash results in tearing or stretching of the anterior longitudinal ligament. this ligament has a recoil effect that can result in hyperflexion
When a fracture in the vertebral column occurs, the patient should what
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
low back and low limb pains is often caused by what
herniation of the nucleus pulposus through the annulus fibrosus.
Where does herniation occur
postolaterally, where the annulus fibrosus does not receive support from the anterior or posterior longitudinal ligaments
Herniation compresses what?
- spinal nerve roots
- cauda equina
- spinal nerves
herniation is more common where?
L4/L5 and L5/S1 because the foramen are smaller and the disks are larger
not stretching before working out can causewhat?
back sprain- overstretching of ligaments
muscle spasm
involuntary contraction of muscle to protect against further damage after a back STRAIN
C6-C8 damage to spine
loss of hands and variable upper limb function. person may be able to use a wheel chair
second more common reason people seea doc
back pain
