HNS part 1 ICSM

Question 1

Describe the sections of the vertebral column and how many processes occur at each level

Answer 1

Cervical 7, Thoracic 12, lumbar 5, 5 sacral, cocccyx

Question 2

Describe the embryological significance of curvature

Answer 2

Series of lateral curvatures, primary refers to those in a posterior direction including thoracic and sacral, secondary occur later before adulthood, include cervical and lumbar.

Question 3

Name pathologies associated with curvature

Answer 3

kyphosis, arthritis, scoliosis, weight gain causing abdominal distension.

Question 4

Describe the general anatomical contents of a vertebra

Answer 4

Vertebral body, large anterior region, posterior to this is a foramina for spinal chord aka canal, lamina are bony posterior protrusions joining the transverse processes, foramen transversarium located within as well as superior and inferior articular processes and anterior and posterior tubercles.

Question 5

What determines flexibility?

Answer 5

Articulation by various augmentations of the articular processes. IVD acts as shock absorbers and promote flexibility.

Question 6

Describe general differences between vertebrae

Answer 6

Gets larger going down, articular facets in. various positions allow for range of movement.

Question 7

Which are the atypical vertebrae?

Answer 7

C1, atlas and C2, axis.

Question 8

Describe the body of the atlas.

Answer 8

Contains no body, instead an anterior tubercle behind which sits an articular facet for the dens and a foramen for the dens, a groove for vertebral artery also present.

Question 9

Which structure sits between the two foramina of the atlas?

Answer 9

The transverse ligament of the atlas running through to each sides lateral mass.

Question 10

Describe the Atlanto-occipital joint

Answer 10

Joins inferior surface of occipital bone to the superior facet of the atlas, also known as yes joint.

Question 11

Describe the Atlantoaxial joint

Answer 11

Attaches named structures, allowing for the no head movement.

Question 12

Describe the alar ligaments

Answer 12

Attach condyle occipital surface to dens

Question 13

Describe the cruciform ligament

Answer 13

Split into longitudinal and transverse regions where longitudinal provides attachment of anterior foramen magnum to c2 body and transverse the inner margin of c1 lateral masses. long direction has superior and inferior division.

Question 14

Describe the other ligaments

Answer 14

Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments located on respective side of vertebral processes, supraspinous ligament is a thick strong ligament running all the way through on spinal processes surfaces, interspinous ligaments between split lamina of each process, ligamentum flavum a yellowish one connected two adjacent vertebrae.

Question 15

Describe disc anatomy

Answer 15

A central jelly like nucleus proposis surrounded by rings of concentric cartilage or lamellae where groups of these are called annulus fibrosus.

Question 16

Describe pathology associated with disc

Answer 16

Any disruption in space around exit level of each nerve through intervertebral foramina can cause nerve impingement, sciatica relevant in lumbar.

Question 17

Describe discrepancy between nerves and vertebrae.

Answer 17

8 cervical, nerves leave above, rest is continuous and leave below. Enlargements for limbs at c3-t1 and l1-s2.