Final Back Spine

Question 1

Functions of vertebral column

Answer 1

protection for spinal cord and spinal nerves
supports weight of body superior to level of pelvis
axis for body and extended based for head
posture
locomotion

Question 2

The sacrum fusion

Answer 2

might not fuse until age 35

Question 3

First position of articular discs

Answer 3

between C2 and C3

Question 4

Intervertebral foramen

Answer 4

formed by superior and inferior notches of adjacent vertebrae and intervertebral disc that unites them
allows passage of spinal nerve and vessels

Question 5

Articular facets

Answer 5

located on articular processes
contact with articular facets of adjacent vertebrae

Question 6

Intervertebral disc makeup

Answer 6

anulus fibrosus surrounds the outside
nucleus pulposus

Question 7

Vertebral endplate is made of

Answer 7

hyaline cartilage

Question 8

Zygapophyseal joints

Answer 8

between superior and inferior articular facets of adjacent vertebrae

plane synovial joints

articulation between the superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae

each surrounded by thin joint capsule

Question 9

Cervical vertebrae characteristics

Answer 9

foramen are large/triangular
uncinate processes/unco-vertebral joints
carotid tubercle
bifid spinous processes

Question 10

Vertebra prominens

Answer 10

C7, has the longest spinous process

Question 11

Articular facets orientations of cervical spine

Answer 11

Superior = superior and posterior
Inferior = inferior and anterior
Oblique faced facets most nearly horizontal

Question 12

Thoracic vertebrae characteristics

Answer 12

heart shaped body
costal facets (6 on each vertebrae)
long, posterior-lateral transverse processes

spinous processes are long, sloped posterior/inferior. Tips extend to body below

articular processes are vertical

Question 13

Lumbar vertebrae characteristics

Answer 13

kidney shaped body
vertebral foramen are triangular
transverse are long/slender
spinous are short, sturdy, hatchet shaped
mamillary processes
pars interarticularis

Question 14

Articular facet orientations of lumbar

Answer 14

Superior = posterior/medial
Inferior = anterior/lateral

Question 15

Variations in Vertebrae

Answer 15

Cervical rib at C7
Lumbar rib below T12
Sacralized L5
Lumbarized S1

Question 16

Blood supply of vertebrae

Answer 16

abdominal aorta
goes to lumbar artery
vertebral arch

Question 17

Flexion/Extension

Answer 17

sagittal plane, along the transverse axis

Question 18

Lateral flexion

Answer 18

frontal plane, along sagittal axis

Question 19

Rotation

Answer 19

transverse plane along vertical axis

Question 20

Limitations in vertebral motion

Answer 20

thickness, elasticity, compression of discs
shape of facet joints
tension of joint capsules on facet joints
resistance of muscles and ligaments
attachment of thoracic cage
bulk of surrounding tissue

Question 21

General ideas with movement of vertebral column

Answer 21

coupled motion
multiple segments involved, summative
produced by back muscles, anterolateral abdominal muscles, gravity

Question 22

Cervical spine motions

Answer 22

flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation

flexion and lateral flexion are greatest in this region

Question 23

Cervical spine mobility is possible…

Answer 23

intervertebral disc and thickness to bodies
relative size of surface/orientation of facets
loose joint capsules around facets
less soft tissue bulk in region

Question 24

Thoracic spine mobility is possible….

Answer 24

thin intervertebral discs to vertebral bodies
connection to ribs and costal cartilages
joint plane arc –> permits rotation

Question 25

Thoracic spine motions

Answer 25

rotation

flexion and lateral flexion are limited in this region

Question 26

Lumbar spine mobility is possible…

Answer 26

thick intervertebral discs
sagittally oriented joint planes
interlocking articular processes prevent rotation

Question 27

Lumbar spine motions

Answer 27

lateral flexion is greatest. flexion, extension are possible

rotation is prevented

Question 28

Characteristics of joints of vertebral bodies

Answer 28

Sympheses/secondary cartilaginous joints
role in weight bearing
role in strength
articulating surfaces connected by intervertebral discs/ligaments

Question 29

Anulus fibrosus, fiber characteristics

Answer 29

fibrous ring of concentric lamellae

insert into epiphyseal rimes on articular surface on bodies
fibers forming each lamella, oblique in orientation
adjacent fibers cross obliquely, in opposite direction
allows for rotation

thinner posteriorly

Question 30

Annulus Fibrous, vascular/innervation

Answer 30

decreased vascularization centrally
innervation to outer 1/3

Question 31

Nucleus pulposus

Answer 31

core of intervertebral disc
semifluid
allows for flexibility
role in shock absorption of the entire disc, especially with vertical forces

Question 32

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 32

pelvic surface of sacrum to anterior tubercle of CI, occipital bone anterior to foramen magnum

strong, broad fibrous band, connects bodies and discs

resists hyperextension

maintains stability of joints between vertebral bodies

Question 33

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 33

within vertebral canal, posterior aspect of bodies/discs

resists hyperflexion of vertebral column

prevents/redirects posterior herniation of nucleus pulposus

Question 34

LIgamentum flavum

Answer 34

extend vertically above/below lamina

assists within straightening of column from flexion

resist separation of vertebral lamina by limiting abrupt flexion of vertebral column in role to prevent injury to discs

Question 35

Areas of back with ligamnetum flavum

Answer 35

Cervical = long, thin, broad
Thoracic = thicker
Lumbar = thickest

Question 36

Interspinous ligament

Answer 36

unite spinous processes from base to apex
thin and weak

Question 37

Supraspinous ligmanet

Answer 37

connect tips of spinous processes from C7-sacrum, merge with nuchal ligament superiorly
strong, fibrous

Question 38

Ligamentum nuchae

Answer 38

median band from external occipital protuberance and posterior border of foramen magnum to spinous processes of cervical vertebrae

at c3-c5

Question 39

Intertransverse ligament

Answer 39

connect adjacent transverse processes
scattered fibers in cervical region
fibrous cords in thoracic region
thin, membranous in lumbar region

Question 40

Craniovertebral joitns

Answer 40

atlanto-occipital (a/o)
atlanto-axial (a/a)
synovial joints
do not have intervertebral joints

Question 41

Atlanto-occipital joint

Answer 41

between C1/atlas to occiput
permit flexion/extension (yes motion)
permit some lateral flexion and rotation
synovial, condyloid joints

have thin loose joint capsules
anterior/posterior atlanto-occipital membranes prevents excessive motion

Question 42

Atlanto-axial joint

Answer 42

between C1 and C2
there are both lateral and medial joints
allows for movement from side to side (no motion)
rotates around the dens as a unit

Question 43

Lateral atlanto-axial joints

Answer 43

2 of them
between inferior facets of C1 and superior facets of C2

Question 44

Median atlanto-axial joint

Answer 44

1 joint
between dens of C2 and anterior arch of C1

Question 45

Cruciform ligament

Answer 45

transverse ligament of atlas and longitudinal bands

Question 46

Alar ligaments

Answer 46

extend from sides of dens of axis to lateral margins of foramen magnum

prevent excessive rotation at the joints

Question 47

Tectorial membrane

Answer 47

strong, superior continuation of PLL

broadens and passes posteriorly over median a/a joint and its ligament

runs superior from body of C2 through foramen magnum

attaches to floor of cranial cavity