Day 31 (Intervertebral foramen: regional characteristics, sources of nerve compression, Curvatures of the column, normal curvatures)

Question 1

What is the relationship between intervertebral disc herniation and lumbar spinal nerves?

Answer 1

the intervertebral disc above the intervertebral foramen is usually the source of damage

Question 2

What is unusual about the sacral interveretbral foramen compared to other intervertebral foramina?

Answer 2

a completely osseous boundary exits

Question 3

What is more likely the cause of nerve irritation at the sacral intervertebral foramen?

Answer 3

the tilt or position of the entire sacrum relative to the pelvis

Question 4

What is the relationship of lumbar nerve root size to intervertebral foramen size above L4?

Answer 4

the nerve root size will account for less than 22% of the available size

Question 5

What is unique about the relationship of spinal nerve to intervertebral foramen at S5-Co1?

Answer 5

there are two nerves present, S5 nerve & Co1 nerve

Question 6

What are some examples of destructive lesions of the vertebral body?

Answer 6

tuberculosis, hemangiomas, osteoporosis

Question 7

What may reduce the impact of intervertebral disc loss of integrity on the intervertebral foramen in the cervical and thoracic spine?

Answer 7

the joint of Luschka in the cervicals, the costocentral joint in the thoracics

Question 8

What are examples of osteophyte formation that influence the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 8

the bony spurs of the vertebral body and para-articular processes on the lamina

Question 9

What are examples of acquired alterations of the spinal curves identified in class?

Answer 9

obesity, pregnancy, and the use of heavy backpacks

Question 10

What is the recommended weight of a backpack compared to individual weight for the developing spine?

Answer 10

backpack weight should not exceed 10% individual body weight

Question 11

What embryonic event causes the direction of the posterior curve of the vertebral column?

Answer 11

the embryonic disc will undergo flexion in a cranial to caudal direction

Question 12

Why is the posterior curve also called the primary curve?

Answer 12

it is the first curve to appear embryologically

Question 13

What are the adult remnants of the primary curve along the vertebral column?

Answer 13

the thoracic or dorsal curve and the pelvic or sacrococcygeal curve

Question 14

What are the names given to curves which form during development to reverse the direction of regions along the vertebral column?

Answer 14

anterior curve, secondary curve, compensatory curve

Question 15

What are the names of the anterior curves, secondary curves, and compensatory curves?

Answer 15

cervical curve and lumbar curve

Question 16

What segmental levels form the cervical curve?

Answer 16

C2-T1

Question 17

What segmental levels form the lumbar curve?

Answer 17

T12 to L5

Question 18

What is the earliest time of appearance of the cervical curve?

Answer 18

the third fetal month

Question 19

What is the traditional time of appearance of the cervical curve said to be?

Answer 19

during the last trimester in utero

Question 20

What is the time during which the “adult” cervical curve is said to appear?

Answer 20

within the first year after birth

Question 21

What developmental events are indicative in the formation of the adult cervical curve?

Answer 21

1. centers for vision and equilibrium will appear in the brain
2. musculature attaching the skull, cervical region, and upper thorax together develops
3. the head is held upright
4. the intervertebral disc height becomes greater anterior than posterior