Clinical Anatomy of the Back

Question 1

What is Hangman’s fracture?

Answer 1

Fracture through C2 lamina/pedicle

Question 2

What is Jefferson’s fracture?

Answer 2

Bursts fracture of C1 - pieces spread out/separate

Question 3

What is analgesia?

Answer 3

Paid medication

Question 4

What is osteoporosis?

Answer 4

Bone becomes brittle due to hormonal changes and vitamin deficiency

Question 5

What is a compression fracture?

Answer 5

Common in osteoporosis - weight crushes vertebrae below

Question 6

What is facet joint syndrome?

Answer 6

Due to degenerative changes in the synovial joint (zygapophysial joints) or in the ligamentum flavum
Pain is worse on lateral flexion or rotation

Question 7

What is Spondylosis?

Answer 7

Osteoarthritis in the synovial joints of the vertebrae (especially in the cervical and lumbar regions)
Joint becomes weak

Question 8

What is Spondylolisthesis?

Answer 8

Anterior slip of the vertebra on the lower segment due to the weakness of ligamentum flavum or fracture of pedicle

Question 9

What is the Cauda Equina syndrome?

What are the causes?

Answer 9

Refers to a collection of symptoms and signs that result from severe compression of the descending lumbar and sacral nerve roots within the lumbar cistern

Aetiology:

• degenerative
• – lumbar disc herniation !!
• – spondylolisthesis !!
• traumatic
• – vertebral fracture or dislocation !!
• – epidural haematoma
• infective
• – epidural abscess
• – tuberculosis
• malignant
• – metastases - cancer !!
• – primary CNS malignancies

Question 10

What is osteomyelitis?

Answer 10

Infection of the vertebra

Question 11

What is discitis?

Answer 11

Infection of the intervertebral disc