Class 2

Question 1

Key features of C2 (the axis) (upper cervical spine)

Answer 1

• dens (a.k.a. the odontoid process)
• anterior articular facet
• TVP
• inferior articular facet for C3
• superior articular facet for atlas
• posterior articular facet
• spinous process (bifid)
• C2-C6 SPs are bifid

Question 2

What passes through the transverse foremen?

Answer 2

Vertebral artery

Question 3

Key features of (lower cervical spine (C3 - C7))

Answer 3

• SP (bifid from C2-C6)
• C7 SP – vertebra prominens
• lamina
• vertebral foramen
• pedicle
• TVP - anterior and posterior tubercles are connected by small strut of bone to form the TVP
• body
• area for articulation with uncinate process of C4 (next lower vertebra)
• transverse foramen
• inferior articular process and facet
• superior articular process and facet
• groove for spinal nerve (C4 used as an example)
• uncinate process – upward bony projections on the posterolateral rims of the
vertebral body
• upward projections articulate with next higher vertebra
• called the uncovertebral joints (a.k.a. joints of Lushka)
• joints provide stability in cervical spine
• prevent excessive lateral translation
• note on C6 that anterior tubercle is called carotid tubercle

Question 4

Key features of the lumbar spine

Answer 4

• possess the characteristics of a typical vertebra
• massive vertebral bodies
• the largest vertebra is L5
• SPs are broad, thick, prominent, and horizontal
• landmark: a horizontal line drawn between tops of iliac crests landmarks L4 SP

Question 5

Key features of sacrum and coccyx

Answer 5

• 5 fused vertebrae and IVDs
• base: top part, the WIDEST part
• apex: pointed inferior edge
• applies to both the sacrum and coccyx

Question 6

Key features of the sacrum

Answer 6

• lumbosacral articular surface – articulation between L5 and sacrum (with L5-S1 disc in between)
• superior articular processes (with facets)
• ala (pl. alae) – the ‘wings’ of sacrum
• promontory
• anterior & posterior sacral foramina
• apex: bottom part
• pelvic surface is concave, dorsal surface is convex
• sacral canal
• sacral hiatus
• sacral cornu (horn)
• median sacral crest - fused remnants SPs
• lateral sacral crest – fused remnants of TVPs
• auricular surface
• coccyx 4 (varies 3-5) fused vertebrae

Question 7

What is the lumbosacral joint?

Answer 7

• L5 articulates with S1
• cartilaginous (IVD)

Question 8

What is the iliolumbar ligament?

Answer 8

• TVPs of L4 and L5 to posterior iliac crest
• key stabilizer of L5
• limits lateral flexion

Question 9

What is the sacrococcygeal joint?

Answer 9

• apex of sacrum articulates with the base of coccyx

Question 10

What is sacroiliac (SI) joint?

Answer 10

• auricular surface of the sacrum articulates with auricular surface of ilium
• synovial
• limited gliding and rotational movements are available

Question 11

What are accessory ligaments to SI joint?

Answer 11

Sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments are accessory ligaments to the SI joints

Question 12

Anterior/Posterior Sacroiliac ligaments run from _____________ to ______________.

Answer 12

• ilium to sacrum

Question 13

Interosseous Sacroiliac ligaments lies _________________ to the __________________.

Answer 13

• lies just anterior (deep) to the posterior SI ligaments

Question 14

What is symphysis pubis?

Answer 14

• adjacent pubic bones with disc in between

Question 15

The thorax surrounds and protects _______________________.

Answer 15

heart and lungs and some of the abdominal organs

Question 16

Bony thorax consists of?

Answer 16

• 12 thoracic vertebrae (and their IVDs)
• 12 pairs of ribs
• sternum
• manubrium
• body aka Gladiolus
• xiphoid process
• all ribs articulate posteriorly with vertebral column and most articulate anteriorly with sternum (directly or indirectly)

Question 17

Key features of thoracic spine

Answer 17

• normal characteristics of vertebra
• costal demi-facets on the vertebral body
• costal facets on the TVPs
• note SP that points down and back

Question 18

What is the manubrium?

Answer 18

• jugular (a.k.a. sternal) notch
• on either side of jugular notch is an articular facet (clavicular notch) where manubrium articulates with clavicle

Question 19

What is the body aka gladiolus?

Answer 19

• manubriosternal joint (sternal angle) (a.k.a. angle of Louis)
• landmark for rib 2
• along side of body are costal notches for articulation of costal cartilage

Question 20

What is the xiphoid?

Answer 20

• the thin process inferior to the body

Question 21

What are true ribs?

Answer 21

• ribs 1-7 are called ‘true’ ribs
• Have direct connection with sternum via their own costal cartilage

Question 22

What are false ribs?

Answer 22

• ribs 8-12 are called ‘false’ ribs
• have an indirect connection with sternum (via 7th ribs costal cartilage)

Question 23

What are floating ribs?

Answer 23

• 11 and 12 are also called floating ribs because they are unattached anteriorly

Question 24

Key features of typical ribs?

Answer 24

• ribs 2-10
• ‘typical’ ribs have following characteristics: a head, neck, tubercle and shaft
• Head - 2 facets (superior and inferior) articulate with 2 vertebral bodies
• Neck - between the head and the tubercle
• Tubercle - articular facet (articulates with TVP)
• Shaft
• Rib angle
• Costal groove (for costal nerve)

Question 25

There are ______ costal demi facets on the vertebral body a _________________ and _________________.

Answer 25

2, superior, inferior

Question 26

The superior costal demi facet articulates with?

Answer 26

head of the rib of same number (ie. the superior costal demi facet on T4 articulates with rib 4)

Question 27

The inferior costal demi facet articulates with?

Answer 27

head of the inferior rib

Question 28

The inferior costal demi facet on T4 articulates with?

Answer 28

rib 5

Question 29

The transverse costal facet articulates with

Answer 29

the tubercle of the rib of the same number

Question 30

The transverse costal facet on T4 articulates with

Answer 30

the tubercle of rib 4

Question 31

Head of rib 5 articulates with vertebral body of_____ at its ____________________ costal demi facet and vertebral body of____ at its___________________ costal demi facet, and articular facet on the tubercle of the rib articulates with the transverse costal facet of _____,

Answer 31

T4, inferior, T5, superior, T5