Clinical Anatomy - Spine Flashcards
how many vertebrae in the vertebral column
33
7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 4 coccygeal
how many curves in a healthy spine
4
features of thoracic vertebrae
small pedicles and long spinous processes
more vertical facet joints
features of lumbar vertebrae
longer and wider pedicles
horizontal spinous processes
more horizontal facet joints
function of facet joints
stabilise the spinal column
what type of joint are facet joints
synovial
what are the sacroiliac joints used for
shock absorption
name for C1
atlas
name for C2
axis
features of C1
no body
articulates with occiput of skull
features of C2
dens process
features of cervical vertebrae
transverse foramen
small body, wide lamina
short transverse processes
movements at atlanto-occipital joint
flexion
extension
lateral flexion
movement at atlanto-dens joint
rotation
first palpable vertebra (NB not most palpable)
C7
features of intervertebral discs
outer annulus fibrosis and inner nucleus pulposus
accounts for 1/4 of length of spine
ligaments running length of column
anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
ligament linking vertebral laminae
ligamentum flavum
anterior column of spine contents
anterior longitudinal ligament
anterior annulus
anterior 2/3 of vertebral body
middle column of spine contents
posterior 1/3 vertebral body
posterior annulus
posterior longitudinal ligament
posterior column of spine contents
pedicles, lamina, facets
spinous processes
posterior ligaments
3 column theory of denis
1 column injured - stable
2 columns injured - maybe unstable
3 columns injured - unstable
the spinal cord is a continuation of what
medulla oblongata
where does the spinal cord exit the skull
foramen magnum
where does the spinal cord terminate
cauda equina at L2
define myotomes
muscles controlled by the motor element of the nerve root from a specific level
define dermatomes
skin sensation supplied by the sensory element of the nerve root from a specific level
are sensory tracts ascending or descending
ascending
are motor tracts ascending or descending
descending
features of posterior/anterior spinocerebellar tracts (sensory)
ascend spine on ipsilateral side of the cord
enter cerebellum
carry info related to proprioception
features of lateral/anterior spinothalamic tracts (sensory)
enter then ascend spine on ipsilateral side of cord for a couple of levels then cross and ascend on contralateral side
enter thalamus
carry info related to pain and temperature
features of posterior columns - fasciculus gracilis of Goll, fasciculus cuneatus of Burdach (sensory)
ascend spine on ipsilateral side
carry info related to fine touch and proprioception
features of crossed pyramidal/lateral cerebrospinal tract (motor)
crosses at medullary level
descend spine on contralateral side of cord
features of uncrossed pyramidal/anterior cerebrospinal tract (motor)
descend spine on ipsilateral side of cord
cross at same level it exits cord
white matter contains
ascending sensory tracts and descending motor tracts
what do the posterior rami supply
intrinsic back muscles and skin sensation in the centre of the back
what do the anterior rami supply
rest of body/limbs
where do nerve roots exit spinal column
intervertebral foramina
nerve roots in cauda equina
L2-5, S1-5, coccygeal
what do the nerves of the cauda equina supply
pelvic organs and lower limbs
spinal arterial supply
anterior and posterior spinal arteries descend from pia
spinal venous supply
Batsons venous plexus - network of valveless veins connecting deep pelvic veins and thoracic veins to internal vertebral venous plexuses
