Chapter 9 notes - Lumbar, Sacral, Coccyx

Question 1

why are the lumbar vertebrae the strongest vertebral section in the spine?

Answer 1

the load of body weight increases toward the inferior end of the column

Question 2

which vertebral section is the largest out of the whole spine?

Answer 2

lumbar

Question 3

Out of all 5 lumbar vertebrae, which one is the largest?

Answer 3

L5

Question 4

how does the appearance of a lumbar vertebrae differ from a thoracic or cervical vertebrae?

Answer 4

• the transverse process is smaller
• the spinous process is larger/bulky

Question 5

how are intervertebral foramina formed?

Answer 5

by the superior and inferior vertebral notches when they are stacked on top of one another

Question 6

what is located in the intervertebral foramina?

Answer 6

spinal nerves and blood vessels

Question 7

what projection/position will you be able to capture the intervertebral foramina in a lumbar spine?

Answer 7

lateral

Question 8

in what angle can you view the zygapophyseal joints in the lumbar spine?

Answer 8

45 degrees (oblique)

Question 9

where is the pars interarticularis located?

Answer 9

• in the lamina
• it’s in between the lamina and the transverse process

Question 10

what projection/position can the pars interarticularis be viewed?

Answer 10

• oblique lumbar

Question 11

what type of curvature is the lumbar spine?

Answer 11

lordotic/concave

Question 12

how many bones does the sacrum have before during childhood?

Answer 12

5

Question 13

how many bones does the sacrum have after reaching adulthood?

Answer 13

1

Question 14

how is the apex of the sacrum showcased?

Answer 14

inferiorly and anteriorly

Question 15

the sacrum has 4 sets of sacral foramina. What is their purpose?

Answer 15

transmits nerves and blood vessels

Question 16

which bone does the superior articulating process of the sacrum articulate with?

Answer 16

the inferior articular process of L5

Question 17

what type of curvature is the sacrum?

Answer 17

kyphotic

Question 18

what part of the pelvis does the sacrum articulate with to form the sacroiliac joint?

Answer 18

ilium at the auricular surface

Question 19

what position/angle can open up the sacroiliac joints?

Answer 19

obliquely at 30 degrees

Question 20

which is the most distal portion of the vertebral column:
- coccyx
- thoracic
- cervical
- sacrum

Answer 20

coccyx

Question 21

true or false: the most superior segment of the coccyx is the largest and broadest

Answer 21

true

Question 22

what is the distal portion of the coccyx called?

Answer 22

apex

Question 23

what is the superior portion of the coccyx called?

Answer 23

base

Question 24

what type of curvature is the coccyx?

Answer 24

lordotic

Question 25

is the curvature of the coccyx more pronounced in men or women?

Answer 25

men

Question 26

what is the most common injury associated with the coccyx?

Answer 26

direct blow to the lower vertebral column when a person is in a sitting position

Question 27

who are more prone to coccyx fractures, women or men?

Answer 27

women

Question 28

what position/projection can show “scottie dog”?

Answer 28

45 degree oblique

Question 29

what’s the purpose of the Scottie Dog position?

Answer 29

to find any fractures in the pars interarticularis

Question 30

what type of joints are the zygapophyseal joints?

Answer 30

synovial > diarthrodial > plane/gliding

Question 31

what type of joint is the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 31

cartilaginous > amphiarthrodial

Question 32

why does the upper lumbar region need a larger angle than the lower region?

Answer 32

the upper region still has some characteristics of the thoracic, which originally needs a 70 degree angle to view the zygapophyseal joints

Question 33

when doing an RPO, which joints are you looking at? right or left?

Answer 33

right joints

Question 34

when doing an LPO, which joints are you looking at? right or left?

Answer 34

left joints

Question 35

when doing an RAO, which joints are you looking at? right or left?

Answer 35

left joints

Question 36

when doing an LAO, which joints are you looking at? right or left?

Answer 36

right joints

Question 37

what detail must be done when positioning for an AP lumbar spine? explain

Answer 37

• knees must be flexed
• without the flexion, the curvature of the spine increases OID, therefore, we need to decrease that gap

Question 38

how many bones does the coccyx have in childhood?

Answer 38

4

Question 39

how many bones does the coccyx have in adulthood?

Answer 39

1