CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN

Question 1

Two or more vertebrae may be united forming one bone with no joint between. It is also called the “bamboo spine”.

Answer 1

Fusion of Vertebrae

Question 2

Maybe the (R) or (L) half of a vertebra maybe absent, or maybe one half of one vertebra may fuse with the vertebra above or below, leaving the other half as a separate bone.

Answer 2

Hemi vertebrae or Butterfly Vertebrae

Question 3

Is the lack of union or malunion of laminae. In [. ], the laminae of a vertebra may fail to unite each other in the midline posteriorly.

Occurs usually between L5-S1

Answer 3

Spina Bifida

Question 4

A defect maybe present between the superior and inferior articular processes of a vertebra. This defect usually occurs at L5.

Answer 4

Inter-articular Defect

Question 5

The lower part of the Sacrum may fail to develop, if so, the coccyx will also be absent.

Answer 5

Absence of Sacrum

Question 6

The last lumbar vertebra may be partly or completely fused with the first sacral segment.

Answer 6

Sacralization