Exam Questions

Question 1

With ref to the joints between the vertebral bodies, state the articular surfaces and briefly describe the construction/ structure of the joint

Answer 1

Vertebral bodies, Vertebral end plates covered in hyaline cartilage, Intervertebral discs. The superior surface of a vertebral body is covered in a cartilaginous end plate, this is attached to the annulus fibrosis of the IVD, which then bonds to the cartilaginous end plate, which is attached to the vertebral body above

Question 2

Give the attachments of the Anterior Longitudinal LIgament

Answer 2

Superior attachment to the anterior tubercle of the atlas, anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies and IVD and attaches to upper sacrum

Question 3

Give the attachments of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Answer 3

Attaches to the body of S1 to the body of C2 plus attaches IVD and adjacent bodies in the vertebral canal

Question 4

With references to the joints of the vertebral arches in the lumbar region, briefly describe the articular surfaces

Answer 4

Vertically orientated articular facets covered in hyaline articular cartilage, inferior facets project outwards to articulate with inwards facing superior facets

Question 5

For the costovertebral joint, name the articular surfaces

Answer 5

Head of rib; costal facet of corresponding vertebrae and vertebrae above (Heads of 1st, 11th and 12th (*10th) ribs only articulate with corresponding vertebrae)

Question 6

For the costotransverse joint, name the articular surfaces

Answer 6

Tubercles of the ribs with the TP of corresponding vertebrae (11th and 12th ribs do not articulate with TP of vertebrae)

Question 7

Briefly describe the movement of the ribs that occur at the costotransverse and costovertebral joints during quiet respiration

Answer 7

Costovertebral - internal rotation and elevation of the rib head
Costotransverse 1-6 - internal rotation of the neck of rib
Costotransverse 7-10 posteromedial translation of the neck of the rib

Question 8

Briefly describe an uncovertebral joint by stating - the type of joint, the position of the joint and it’s articular surfaces

Answer 8

Synovial plane joints; seen bilaterally between adjacent cervical vertebrae c3-c7, found laterally and anterior to the intervertebral foramina on each side of the relevant IVD; uncinate processes C3-C7 and inferior aspect of respective vertebrae above

Question 9

With reference to the Atlanto-Occiptial joint, state the type of joint and briefly describe the articular surfaces

Answer 9

Convex oval occipital condyles of the occipital bone articulate with the concave oval superior articular facets of the lateral mass of the atlas, all articular surfaces lined with hyaline cartilage

Question 10

With reference to the Atlanto-axial articulations, state the position of the articular surfaces participating in the lateral atlantoaxial joints

Answer 10

Synovial plane joints, articular facets covered in hyaline cartilage between the inferior aspects of the lateral masses of the atlas and the corresponding facets on the superior aspect of the axis

Question 11

With reference to the Atlanto-axial articulations, state the position of the articular surfaces participating in the median atlantoaxial joints

Answer 11

Synovial pivot joint, between the anterior aspect of the dens and the inner aspect of the anterior arch of the atlas and the posterior aspect of the dens and the anterior facing aspect of the transverse ligament

Question 12

Give the position of SCM

Answer 12

Long strap-like muscle, arises by 2 heads, runs around the side of the neck, close to the midline anteriorly, forms anterior boundary of the posterior triangle of the neck

Question 13

Describe the position of the diaphragm

Answer 13

Unpaired, dome shaped muscle, located in the trunk at the inferior most aspect of the rib cage, separating thoracic and abdominal cavities

Question 14

Give the position of the external oblique

Answer 14

Paired muscle, located on the lateral sides of the abdominal wall, the largest and most superficial muscle in the anterolateral abdominal wall, fibres run inferomedially

Question 15

Give the position of the rectus abdominus

Answer 15

Long paired muscle that runs vertically, either side of the linea alba, on the anterior surface of the abdominal wall, extends from rib cage to pubic bone

Question 16

Give the position of internal oblique

Answer 16

A deep muscle, right and left abdominal wall

Question 17

Give the position of Transversus Abdominus

Answer 17

A deep muscle with horizontal fibres that wrap around the abdominal wall from the anterior rectus sheath to TLF posteriorly

Question 18

Give the position of QL

Answer 18

Paired quadrangular muscle of the left and right posterior abdominal wall, deepest abdominal muscle

Question 19

Give the position of Erector Spinae

Answer 19

Intermediate layer of the deep muscles of the back; extend on either side of the vertebral column between the cranium superiorly and pelvis inferiorly

Question 20

Briefly describe the structure of the two main components of the IVD

Answer 20

Annulus Fibrosis - ring of fibres, composed of 60-70% water, layers of collagen fibres arranged in lamellae, thicker towards centre and in anterior and lateral portions, thinner posteriorly
Nucleus Pulposus - semi fluid mass of mucoid material, 88% water, deformed under pressure from any direction

Question 21

List four functions of the IVD

Answer 21

Shock absorption
Allows movement and load transition
Stability to the spinal column
Limits excessive movement

Question 22

Give the position of this muscle

Answer 22

Long muscle situated in the posterior and lateral aspect of the neck