Day 40 (Ligamentum Flavum, Capsular ligament, interspinous ligament, ligamentum nuchae, supraspinous ligament, atlanto-occipital joint, atlanto-axial joint)

Question 1

What is the name given to the ligamentum flavum based on appearance and histology?

Answer 1

it is a yellow elastic ligament

Question 2

What fibers are most ligaments made up of?

Answer 2

collagen type I fibers which are whitish in appearance

Question 3

Where is ossification of the ligamentum flavum most commonly identified?

Answer 3

the thoracic spine or thoracolumbar transition zone

Question 4

What is the relationship between the capsular ligament and mobility?

Answer 4

the more lax/loose the capsular ligament is, the greater the motion of the joint

Question 5

What regions of the vertebral column demonstrate the greatest laxity of capsular ligaments?

Answer 5

the cervical and lumbar regions

Question 6

What layers are present in the capsular ligament?

Answer 6

a superficial layer of collagen fibers and a deep layer of elastic fibers

Question 7

If the zygapophyseal capsular ligament is not significantly involved in restricting motion what is its’ function?

Answer 7

it is probably involved in proprioceptive feedback to the muscles stabilizing the vertebral couple during movement

Question 8

What is now thought to be a major function of the interspinous ligament?

Answer 8

it is more likely a proprioceptive transducer for the spinal reflex

Question 9

What is the name given to the superficial layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 9

the funicular layer or part

Question 10

What is the name given to the deep layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 10

the lamellar layer or part

Question 11

What are the attachment sites for the superficial layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 11

the external occipital protuberance, external occipital crest, and spinous tubercle of C7

Question 12

What is the histological make-up of the human ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 12

it is yellow elastic ligament, but has more collagen fibers than in quadrupeds

Question 13

What is the classic function of the human ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 13

it brakes or limits flexion of the cervical spine

Question 14

What is the termination level inferiorly for the supraspinous ligament according to current literature?

Answer 14

primarily at L4 (73%); between L4 and L5 (5%)

Question 15

What is now thought to be a major function of the supraspinous ligament?

Answer 15

it is a proprioceptive transducer for the spinal reflex

Question 16

What amount of flexion-extension is accommodated by the atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 16

about twenty-five degrees

Question 17

What amount of axial rotation is accommodated by the atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 17

about three to eight degrees one side axial rotation

Question 18

What amount of lateral bending is accommodated by the atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 18

about five degrees

Question 19

Which motion is best accommodated by the atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 19

flexion-extension

Question 20

What is the function of the transverse atlantal ligament?

Answer 20

it is the primary stabilizer of the atlanto-axial joint restricting the distance of C2 from the anterior arch of C1

Question 21

What movements are facilitated at the median atlanto-axial joint?

Answer 21

flexion-extension, rotation, and telescoping (superior-inferior gliding)

Question 22

What is the ADI?

Answer 22

the Atlanto-Dental Interspace, a radiographic distance between the surfaces of the anterior bursa of the median atlanto-axial joint

Question 23

What is the ADI of children compared with that of adults?

Answer 23

about 4.5 mm in children; a range of 2-3 mm or about 2.5 mm in adults

Question 24

What are the degrees of movement facilitated at the atlanto-axial joint?

Answer 24

about 20 degrees flexion-extension, 40 degres one side axial rotation, and 5 degrees of lateral bending

Question 25

The occiput-C1-C2 joint complex accounts for what percent of all cervical axial rotation?

Answer 25

about 60%