Bones & Joints of the Back Flashcards
What are the boundaries of the back?
T1 to coccyx, medial borders of the scapula
What percentage of skin is on the back?
18%
How many vertebra in each section?
7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 2-5 coccyx
In which parts of the spine is there secondary curvature?
cervical and lumbar
At what point does the spinal cord end?
L1/2
What is the arterial blood supply of the spine?
posterior intercostals, lumbar arteries, lateral sacral
What is the venous drainage of the spine?
basivertebral veins drain vertebral bodies which drains to the internal vertebral venous plexus which drains to the external vertebral venous plexus
Where are the 3 primary centres of ossification in the spine and when do they appear?
One in the vertebral body and one in each arch - they appear at 6-8weeks
Where are the secondary centres of ossification in the spine and when do they appear?
They are at the tips of the transverse and spinous processes and at the upper and lower margins of the body (annular epiphyses) and appear during puberty
What is the clinical significance of epiphyses?
They may be mistaken for a fracture
What makes up the IV disc?
Annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus
What is the function of the annulus fibrosis and nucleus pulpous?
the annulus keeps vertebrae together and the nucleus keeps vertebrae apart
What are the ligaments of the spine?
interspinous, posterior longitudinal, intertransverse, anterior longitudinal, supraspinous, ligamentum flavum
Why is ligamentum flavum yellow?
Because it is elastic - needs to recoil
Why is disc prolapse more likely in rotation?
Because only 50% of the fibres in the annulus are protecting the nucleus
