Craniovertebral Joints and Vertebral Column

Question 1

pedicle

Answer 1

attaches the base of the transverse process to the back of the vertebral body

Question 2

lamina

Answer 2

attaches the base of the transverse process to the base of the spinous process

Question 3

Where, within the vertebral column, will you find the spinal nerve?

Answer 3

intervertebral foramen (under pedicles)

Question 4

Which ligament protects the vertebral canal from bulging discs into the cord?

Answer 4

posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 5

What is unique about cervical vertebra 1?

Answer 5

no body and no spinous process (only a tubercle)

Question 6

What is unique about cervical vertebra 2?

Answer 6

has dens

Question 7

What are the unique about the cervical vertebra?

Answer 7

small vertebral body, horizontal articular facets that allow for big ROM; small transverse process; foramen transversarium; bifid spinous process (minus C7)

Question 8

What are the 4 arteries that give blood supply to the head?

Answer 8

r. and l. vertebral a and r. and l. internal carotid a.

Question 9

What structure does the posterior longitudinal ligament turn into at the base of the skull?

Answer 9

tectoral membrane

Question 10

Describe the course that the vertebral artery takes into the head

Answer 10

through the cervical vertebrae (not C7) then crosses the dorsal arch of the atlas to enter foramen magnum

Question 11

What ligament holds the dens of C2 against the anterior tubercle of the atlas?

Answer 11

transverse ligament of atlas (makes up part of cruciate ligament)

Question 12

Jefferson Fracture

Answer 12

C1; burst fracture (happens when diving into shallow water); usually DOA

Question 13

Hangman’s Fx

Answer 13

C2; Fracture the pedicles of C2, putting pressure on spinal cord. Chris Reeve.

Question 14

Fx of Dens or

Rupture of transverse ligament

Answer 14

if the dens is fractured or if the ligament is ruptured, atlas slides forward crushing the spinal cord - death.

Question 15

In a fx of dens or rupture of transverse ligament what rule is used?

Answer 15

Steele’s Rule of Thirds

Question 16

What is unique to the lumbar vertebra?

Answer 16

mamillary processes (where small back muscles attach); allow for twisting and lateral flexion

Question 17

dowagers hump

Answer 17

exaggerated thoracic curvature (kyphosis) - usually associated w/ age and osteoporosis

Question 18

spondylolisthesis

Answer 18

subluxation of vertebra anteriorly - commonly developed in men; “scottie dog” broken neck

Question 19

spinda bifida

Answer 19

failure of fusion of the vertebral arches associated w/ maternal folic acid deficiency

Question 20

Which ligament of the vertebral column goes from lamina to lamina and contains large amounts of elastic fibers to stretch?

Answer 20

ligamentum flavum

Question 21

What is the medical significance of the internal and external vertebral plexus of veins in the vertebral canal?

Answer 21

The venous drainage and lymph provide a pathway for the spread of infection and or metastasis

Question 22

What n. innervates the latissimus dorsi?

Answer 22

thoracodorsal n

Question 23

What innervates the deep back muscles?

Answer 23

DPR

Question 24

Where will you find the greater occipital n poking through the back muscles?

Answer 24

semipinalis capitis

Question 25

Greater Occipital N fxn

Answer 25

sensation to back of the skull