Chapter 8

Question 1

What amount does the intervertebral discs account for in length of the vertebral column

Answer 1

one-quarter of the length of the vertebral column

Question 2

Where can the superior-most disc and inferior-most disc be found in the vertebral column

Answer 2

• superior-most disc: between the axis & the third cervical vertebra
• inferior-most disc: between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the sacrum

Question 3

How are discs named and numbered?

Answer 3

according to vertebra below which they lie

Question 4

What does an intervertebral disc consist of?

Answer 4

• anulus fibrosus
• nucleus pulposus

Question 5

What is the nucleus pulposus made up of

Answer 5

80% water
in fetus: 88%
late adult life: 70%

Question 6

What disproves the belief that the disc is compressible

Answer 6

The high water content

Question 7

What are the characteristics of the anulus fibrosis?

Answer 7

• composed of fibrocartilage
• collagen fibers arranged in concentric rings
• external fibers blend with longitudinal ligaments; internal fibers blend with nucleus pulposus
• thicker anteriorly than posteriorly

Question 8

What are the functions of the anulus fibrosis?

Answer 8

• binding together of vertebral bodies
• joint stability
• movement between two adjacent vertebrae
• retention of the nucleus pulposus

Question 9

In what regions are intervertebral discs height the same and different anteriorly and posteriorly

Answer 9

• cervical and lumbar regions: discs are higher anteriorly than posteriorly
• thoracic region: discs are the same height anteriorly and posteriorly

Question 10

Where do anterior longitudinal ligaments span from and what are the consistency of them… are they strong, thin, thick, weak

Answer 10

• basilar part of the occipital bone to the sacrum
• broad & thick
• strong

Question 11

Where do posterior longitudinal ligaments span from and what are the consistency of them… are they strong, thin, thick, weak

Answer 11

• body of the axis down to the sacrum
• narrow & thin
• strong

Question 12

Where do supraspinous ligaments span from and what are the consistency of them… are they strong, thin, thick, weak

Answer 12

• they span from the axis down to the sacrum
• broad & thick
• strong

Question 13

Where do interspinous ligaments span from and what are the consistency of them… are they strong, thin, thick, weak

Answer 13

• they span from spine to spine & from the deep ligamentum flavum to the supraspinal ligaments superficially
• thin & weak

Question 14

where are interspinous ligaments most poorly developed?

Answer 14

in the cervical region

Question 15

Which ligament is associated with ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 15

supraspinous ligament

Question 16

Which ligament resists flexion? Extension?

Answer 16

• posterior longitudinal ligaments resist flexion
• anterior longitudinal ligaments resist extension

Question 17

What is the function of ligamentum flavum?

Answer 17

preserve the upright posture and assist the vertebral column in resuming it’s shape after flexion

Question 18

What part of the vertebra is covered by a thin plate of hyaline cartilage

Answer 18

suprajacent and infrajacent vertebral bodies

Question 19

Why do people get shorter as they age?

Answer 19

the intervertebral disc at the center of the nucleus pulposus dehydrates over the years