Chapter 9 notes - Lumbar, Sacral, Coccyx Flashcards
why are the lumbar vertebrae the strongest vertebral section in the spine?
the load of body weight increases toward the inferior end of the column
which vertebral section is the largest out of the whole spine?
lumbar
Out of all 5 lumbar vertebrae, which one is the largest?
L5
how does the appearance of a lumbar vertebrae differ from a thoracic or cervical vertebrae?
- the transverse process is smaller
- the spinous process is larger/bulky
how are intervertebral foramina formed?
by the superior and inferior vertebral notches when they are stacked on top of one another
what is located in the intervertebral foramina?
spinal nerves and blood vessels
what projection/position will you be able to capture the intervertebral foramina in a lumbar spine?
lateral
in what angle can you view the zygapophyseal joints in the lumbar spine?
45 degrees (oblique)
where is the pars interarticularis located?
- in the lamina
- it’s in between the lamina and the transverse process
what projection/position can the pars interarticularis be viewed?
- oblique lumbar
what type of curvature is the lumbar spine?
lordotic/concave
how many bones does the sacrum have before during childhood?
5
how many bones does the sacrum have after reaching adulthood?
1
how is the apex of the sacrum showcased?
inferiorly and anteriorly
the sacrum has 4 sets of sacral foramina. What is their purpose?
transmits nerves and blood vessels
which bone does the superior articulating process of the sacrum articulate with?
the inferior articular process of L5
what type of curvature is the sacrum?
kyphotic
what part of the pelvis does the sacrum articulate with to form the sacroiliac joint?
ilium at the auricular surface
what position/angle can open up the sacroiliac joints?
obliquely at 30 degrees
which is the most distal portion of the vertebral column:
- coccyx
- thoracic
- cervical
- sacrum
coccyx
true or false: the most superior segment of the coccyx is the largest and broadest
true
what is the distal portion of the coccyx called?
apex
what is the superior portion of the coccyx called?
base
what type of curvature is the coccyx?
lordotic
is the curvature of the coccyx more pronounced in men or women?
men
what is the most common injury associated with the coccyx?
direct blow to the lower vertebral column when a person is in a sitting position
who are more prone to coccyx fractures, women or men?
women
what position/projection can show “scottie dog”?
45 degree oblique
what’s the purpose of the Scottie Dog position?
to find any fractures in the pars interarticularis
what type of joints are the zygapophyseal joints?
synovial > diarthrodial > plane/gliding
what type of joint is the intervertebral foramen?
cartilaginous > amphiarthrodial
why does the upper lumbar region need a larger angle than the lower region?
the upper region still has some characteristics of the thoracic, which originally needs a 70 degree angle to view the zygapophyseal joints
when doing an RPO, which joints are you looking at? right or left?
right joints
when doing an LPO, which joints are you looking at? right or left?
left joints
when doing an RAO, which joints are you looking at? right or left?
left joints
when doing an LAO, which joints are you looking at? right or left?
right joints
what detail must be done when positioning for an AP lumbar spine? explain
- knees must be flexed
- without the flexion, the curvature of the spine increases OID, therefore, we need to decrease that gap
how many bones does the coccyx have in childhood?
4
how many bones does the coccyx have in adulthood?
1
