Discs And Nerve Roots

Question 1

How many discs of the spine?

Answer 1

23

Question 2

How many osseous structures of the spine of an adult?

Answer 2

26

Question 3

Where are there no discs?

Answer 3

Occiput/c1
C1/2
Sacrum/coccyx

Question 4

What is the annulus fibrosus?

Answer 4

Outer circumference of IVD

Question 5

What is the nucleus pulposis?

Answer 5

Inner portion of the IVD

Question 6

Of what structure is the nucleus pulposis a remnant?

Answer 6

Notochord

Question 7

What do the endplates of the vertebral bodies create?

Answer 7

Floor and ceiling on either side of the IVD

Question 8

True or false: pressure on the disc increases pressure within the nucleus pulposis, exerting pressure radially into annulus fibrosus

Answer 8

True

Question 9

True or false: tension of annulus is extorted back onto the nucleus pulposis

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What helps maintain hydration of discs?

Answer 10

Proteoglycans

Question 11

What are attached to and surround collagen fibrils in the intervertebral discs?

Answer 11

Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans

Question 12

What is disc desiccation?

Answer 12

Dehydration of the discs

Question 13

True or false: dehydration of a disc leads to altered biomechanics and contributes to further degeneration

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What is the difference between a disc bulge and a disc herniation?

Answer 14

Disc bulge - involves more than 25% of circumference

Disc herniation - involves less than 25% of circumference

Question 15

What is a diffuse annular bulge?

Answer 15

Bulge of the entire circumference of an intervertebral disc

Question 16

What is the definition of a protrusion/Herniation?

Answer 16

Less than 25% of circumference of disc and base of herniation is wider than outward extent
*annulus fibers not completely torn

Question 17

What is the definition of an extrusion/herniation?

Answer 17

Nucleus pulposis extends through torn annulus fibers

*outward extension is greater than width of base of herniation

Question 18

What is a sequestered disc fragment?

Answer 18

Nucleus pulposis separates from parent disc *may extend up or down within central canal

Question 19

What is an annular fissure?

Answer 19

Tear that extends circumferentially along portion of annulus fibrosus

Question 20

True or false: we can image pain

Answer 20

FALSE

Question 21

Why do disc herniation hurt?

Answer 21

Mechanical pressure on nerve roots

Chemical irrigation by inflammatory mediators

Question 22

Which nerve root is at the level of c4?

Answer 22

C4 nerve root

Question 23

Which nerve root will most likely be effected with a herniation at c4/5?

Answer 23

C5

Question 24

Which nerve root would most likely be effected with a herniation at L4/5?

Answer 24

L5