Clinical: Spinal Anatomy Flashcards
Review of spinal anatomy as it relates to the mild Procedure
What are the 5 segments/sections of the human spine?
From top to bottom,
Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar
Sacrum
Coccyx
The mild Procedure treats what segment/section of the spine?
Lumbar, including L5-S1
(See yellow areas)
What are the functions of the spine?
- 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
What basic motion of the spine is represented here?
Rotation
What basic motion of the spine is represented here?
Lateral Flexion
What basic motion of the spine is represented here?
Flexion
What basic motion of the spine is represented here?
Extension
How many lumbar vertebrae does the human spine have?
5
(L1 - L5)
What segment/section of the human spine is considered the center for motion activities?
The lumbar spine
What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?
Vertebral body
What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?
Spinous process
What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?
Transverse process
What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?
Pedicle
What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?
Lamina
What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?
Vertebral canal / foramen
What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?
Facet joint - superior articulating surface
What area is highlighted on this lumbar vertebrae?
Facet joint - inferior articulating surface
What segment of the spine (typically) consists of 5 fused vertebrae?
Sacrum
What segment of the spine (typically) consists of 1 free and 3 fused vertebrae?
Coccyx
Which ligament attaches the tip of each spinous process to the other?
Supraspinous ligament
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”.
Ligamentum flavum
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).
Posterior longitudinal ligament
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).
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Which thin ligament runs between adjoining spinous processes and also attached to the ligamentum flavum?
Interspinous ligament
Which venous plexus lines the spinal canal?
Internal vertebral (epidural) venous plexus
Which venous plexus runs along the outside of the vertebral bodies?
External vertebral venous plexus
Which veins runs into the vertebral bodies?
Basivertebral vein
Spinal nerve branches exit through what foramen?
Intervertebral foramen
In 90% of individuals, the spinal cord terminates where?
At the conus medullaris, between L1 & L2
What is distal to the conus medullaris?
Cauda equina
The spinal cord is composed of _____ & _____ matter.
Grey & white matter
Nerve roots attached to the posterior (or dorsal) horn of the grey matter contain what?
Sensory neurons
Nerve roots attached to the anterior (or ventral) horn of the grey matter contain what?
Motor neurons
Motor neurons innervate what?
Muscles
Sensory neurons innervate what?
Areas of the skin
A group of muscles innervated by the motor neurons that stem from a specific nerve root is called a what?
Myotome
An area of the skin innervated by the sensory neurons that stem from a specific nerve root is called a what?
Dermatome
What part of the spine acts as a shock absorber, allowing for motion?
Intervertebral disc
The intervertebral disc is typically divided into what 2 parts?
Annulus fibrosus (outer fibrous tissue) &
Nucleus pulposus (soft gel-like center)
The functional spinal unit (FSU) is composed of:
2 adjacent vertebrae
Facet joint
Intervertebral disc
Intervening ligaments
