intervertebral disks Flashcards
what are intervertebral disks?
positioned between the bodies of the vertebrae. provide strong attachments between the vertebral bodies and act as shock absorbers at these weight bearing joints
how are IV disks numbered?
are numbered according to the vertebrae they lie between.
how many iv disks are there?
23.
where are there no IV disks?
between skull and C1, bet C1 and C2, and none in sacral or coccygeal regions.
which is the lowest IV disk?
L5-S1 disk
what are the two parts of an IV disk?
outer annulus fibrosis and inner nucleus pulposus
what is disk prolapse
iV disks can prolapse (herniate) and cause painful clinical problems. weakness of annulus fibrosis occurs and results in in a bulging out of nucleus pulposus
in what direction does disk prolapse usually occur?
the posterolateral direction, where annulus is thinnest and thus weakest.
where does disk prolapse happen most?
cervical and lumbar levels, L4-5 od L5-S1 and C5-6 and C6-7.
