Clinical: Spinal Anatomy

Question 1

What are the 5 segments/sections of the human spine?

Answer 1

From top to bottom,

Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar
Sacrum
Coccyx

Question 2

The mild Procedure treats what segment/section of the spine?

Answer 2

Lumbar, including L5-S1

(See yellow areas)

Question 3

What are the functions of the spine?

Answer 3

• Protection of the spinal cord, nerve roots, and internal organs
• Creates a base for attachment for muscles, ligaments, and tendons
• Allows for mobility
• Provides structural support
• Red blood cell production and mineral storage

Question 4

What basic motion of the spine is represented here?

Answer 4

Rotation

Question 5

What basic motion of the spine is represented here?

Answer 5

Lateral Flexion

Question 6

What basic motion of the spine is represented here?

Answer 6

Flexion

Question 7

What basic motion of the spine is represented here?

Answer 7

Extension

Question 8

How many lumbar vertebrae does the human spine have?

Answer 8

5

(L1 - L5)

Question 9

What segment/section of the human spine is considered the center for motion activities?

Answer 9

The lumbar spine

Question 10

What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 10

Vertebral body

Question 11

What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 11

Spinous process

Question 12

What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 12

Transverse process

Question 13

What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 13

Pedicle

Question 14

What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 14

Lamina

Question 15

What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 15

Vertebral canal / foramen

Question 16

What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 16

Facet joint - superior articulating surface

Question 17

What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 17

Facet joint - inferior articulating surface

Question 18

What segment of the spine (typically) consists of 5 fused vertebrae?

Answer 18

Sacrum

Question 19

What segment of the spine (typically) consists of 1 free and 3 fused vertebrae?

Answer 19

Coccyx

Question 20

Which ligament attaches the tip of each spinous process to the other?

Answer 20

Supraspinous ligament

Question 21

Which ligament runs from the base of the skull to the pelvis, spans the interlaminar space between adjacent vertebrae. Also referred to as the “yellow ligament”.

Answer 21

Ligamentum flavum

Question 22

Which ligament is a primary spine stabilizer and runs the entire length of the spine, connecting the back of the vertebral body to the back of the annulus fibrosis (intervertebral disc).

Answer 22

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 23

Which ligament is a primary spine stabilizer and runs the entire length of the spine, connecting the front of the vertebral body to the front of the annulus fibrosis (intervertebral disc).

Answer 23

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 24

Which thin ligament runs between adjoining spinous processes and also attached to the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 24

Interspinous ligament

Question 25

Which venous plexus **lines** the spinal canal?

Answer 25

Internal vertebral (epidural) venous plexus

Question 26

Which venous plexus runs along the **outside** of the vertebral bodies?

Answer 26

External vertebral venous plexus

Question 27

Which veins runs **into** the vertebral bodies?

Answer 27

Basivertebral vein

Question 28

Spinal nerve branches exit through what foramen?

Answer 28

Intervertebral foramen

Question 29

In 90% of individuals, the spinal cord terminates where?

Answer 29

At the conus medullaris, between L1 & L2

Question 30

What is **distal** to the conus medullaris?

Answer 30

Cauda equina

Question 31

The spinal cord is composed of _____ & _____ matter.

Answer 31

Grey & white matter

Question 32

Nerve roots attached to the **posterior (or dorsal) horn** of the grey matter contain what?

Answer 32

Sensory neurons

Question 33

Nerve roots attached to the **anterior (or ventral) horn** of the grey matter contain what?

Answer 33

Motor neurons

Question 34

**Motor neurons** innervate what?

Answer 34

Muscles

Question 35

**Sensory neurons** innervate what?

Answer 35

Areas of the skin

Question 36

A group of muscles innervated by the **motor neurons** that stem from a specific nerve root is called a what?

Answer 36

Myotome

Question 37

An area of the skin innervated by the **sensory neurons** that stem from a specific nerve root is called a what?

Answer 37

Dermatome

Question 38

What part of the spine acts as a shock absorber, allowing for motion?

Answer 38

Intervertebral disc

Question 39

The **intervertebral disc** is typically divided into what 2 parts?

Answer 39

Annulus fibrosus (outer fibrous tissue) & Nucleus pulposus (soft gel-like center)

Question 40

The **functional spinal unit (FSU)** is composed of:

Answer 40

2 adjacent vertebrae Facet joint Intervertebral disc Intervening ligaments