Clinical Anatomy of the Spine Flashcards

1
Q

which vertebrae has no vertebral body

A

C1

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2
Q

how many vertebrae are there in total?

A

33

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3
Q

how many cervical vertebrae are there?

A

7

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4
Q

how many thoracic vertebrae are there?

A

12

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5
Q

how many lumbar vertebrae are there?

A

5

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6
Q

how many sacral vertebrae are there?

A

5

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7
Q

how many coccygeal vertebrae are there

A

4

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8
Q

function of axis and atlas?

A

head rotation

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9
Q

at what level of the spine do the vertebral arteries enter?

A

C6

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10
Q

where are all secondary cartilaginous joints found in the body?

A

the midline

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11
Q

which vertebrae are horizontally rather than vertically orientated?

A

cervical

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12
Q

which area of the spine tends to have the least flexion/extension and why?

A

thoracic spine due to rib constraint

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13
Q

which area of the spine tends to have the least rotation?

A

lumbar

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14
Q

what kind of facet joints allow greatest movement? give an example of a spinal section that has these

A

horizontal

cervical

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15
Q

what happens to the intervertebral discs with age?

A

lose water content and get smaller

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16
Q

what common finding on spinal movement suggests osteoarthritis?

A

can’t extend spine (lean back)

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17
Q

what does pain on spinal extension indicate?

A

osteoarthritis

facet joint-related pain

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18
Q

which intervertebral discs are most likely to prolapse?

A

L4, L5, S1

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19
Q

when should you treat someone with a bulging disc?

A

only if they show symptoms

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20
Q

common clinical presentation of annulus tear?

A

lifting heavy object, hear a twang, get pain on coughing, better in 3 months

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21
Q

longest cells in body?

A

nerve cells

22
Q

where do the motor neurons originate in nerve cells?

A

anteriorly in anterior grey horn

23
Q

where do sensory neurons originate in nerve cells?

A

dorsally in dorsal root ganglion

24
Q

name 2 organs affected if cauda equina is damaged and why?

A

bladder
bowel

nerves at this area supply them

25
Q

what forms the mixed spinal nerve

A

anterior and posterior dorsal roots of the cauda equina

26
Q

at what level does the spinal cord end?

A

L1

27
Q

is the exiting root nerve on the left or right?

A

left

28
Q

what does the exiting root pass under to exit the vertebra

A

pedicle

29
Q

is the transverse root inside the thecal sac?

A

yes

30
Q

is the exiting root inside the thecal sac

A

no

31
Q

what happens to the transverse root?

A

penetrates the thecal sac and becomes the next exiting nerve root

32
Q

is the exiting or transversing root that is commonly affected in disc prolapse?

A

transversing

33
Q

what happens as a result of nerve root compression?

A

radiculopathy resulting in pain down the sensory distribution of the dermatome + muscle weakness + weak reflexes

34
Q

what is sciatica

A

radiculopathy (pain down sensory part of dermatome) of LOWER LEG

35
Q

what nerve roots contribute to the sciatic nerve?

A

L4, L5, S1

36
Q

cause of spinal stenosis?

A

osteophytes and hypertrophic ligaments from OA compresing the nerve

37
Q

what features would suggest neurogenic claudication rather than vascular?

A

radiculopathy/burning leg pain on walking

relieved quickly by stopping

38
Q

what is cauda equina syndrome?

A

pressure on all lumbosacral nerve roots

39
Q

clinical signs of cauda equina syndrome?

A

bilateral lower motor neurone syndrome
bladder and bowel dysfunction
saddle anaesthesia
loss of anal tone

40
Q

important examination to do in suspected cauda equina syndrome?

A

PR exam

41
Q

name the 3 muscles that make up the erector spinae

A

iliocostalis
longissiumus thoracis
spinalis thoracis

42
Q

what do the muscles of the erector spinae do?

A

arching backwards

standing straight

43
Q

what do laminae flavae do?

A

connect the laminae of adjacent vertebrae

44
Q

what is a chance fracture?

A

fractured vertebral body with no fractures posteriorly but disrupted ligaments posteriorly

45
Q

where do you do a lumbar puncture?

A

posterior iliac crest at L4

46
Q

bony causes of back pain?

A
trauma
osteoporosis
fracture
tumour
infection
47
Q

joint causes of back pain?

A

spondylosis
OA
spinal stenosis

48
Q

muscular causes of back pain?

A

sprain

strain

49
Q

disc causes of back pain?

A

discogenic back pain
sciatica
cauda equina

50
Q

clinical features that suggest mechanical back pain?

A

worse with activity
relieved with rest
relapsing/remitting

51
Q

treatment for sciatica

A

physio for 3 months then surgery