Intervertebral Disks

Question 1

Function of inter vertebral disks?

Answer 1

Designed for weight-bearing and strength

Act as shock absorbers

Question 2

What type of joint is the Intervertebral discs ?

Answer 2

Cartilaginous (symphysis)

Question 3

Name the two main components of the Intervertebral discs

Answer 3

1. Annulus fibrosus (outer fibrous part, concentric lamallae of fibrocartilage) 2.Nucleus pulposus (gelatinous central mass)

Question 4

What makes up the Annulus fibrosus?

Answer 4

Layers of lamallae

cartilagenouse layer criss -crossed

Question 5

What is the Nucleus pulposus?

Answer 5

gelatinous central mass

Question 6

How many Intervertebral discsare there?

Answer 6

23-24

Question 7

How does the Intervertebral discs change as you go down the body?

Answer 7

Increase in size as you go down the back

Question 8

What is the size of the cervical, thoracic and lumber Intervertebral discs?

Answer 8

3mm in cervical 5mm in thoracic 9-11mm in lumbar

Question 9

What separates the Intervertebral discs from the bone of the vertebral body?

Answer 9

thin hyaline cartilage layer

Question 10

What happens to the disk when pressure is applied and removed?

Answer 10

Pressure applied- water squeezed out - disk dehydrated

Pressure removed- water enters-disk rehydrated

Question 11

Which type of position adds the most pressure to the disk?

Answer 11

Sitting down

Question 12

What is the optimum position for sitting?

Answer 12

sit and leaan back 110 degrees

Question 13

Describe the blood supply to the intervertebral disk

Answer 13

Only outer 1/3rd of the disc is vascularised and has nerve supply

Question 14

How does Nucleus pulposus obtain its nutrients?

Answer 14

Diffusion as it is A vascular. This makes it hard to heal once degeneration beings

Question 15

Name the joints in the vertebrae and where they are located?

what type of joint is this?

Which movment does it enable?

Answer 15

• Zygapophyseal joints
• Between superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae
• Synovial planar joints

Gliding movements

Question 16

Where do spinal nerves go through

Answer 16

Vertebral foramen

Question 17

Describe the Anterior longitudinal ligament, its location and function

Answer 17

• Strong broad fibrous band
• Covers and connects anterolateral aspects of the vertebral bodies and IV discs
• Extends from pelvic surface of sacrum to C1 and occipital bone
• Maintains stability of the IV joints limiting extension of vertebral column

Question 18

Describe the Posterior longitudinal ligament, its location and function

Answer 18

–Narrower weaker band

–Runs within vertebral canal on posterior aspect of vertebral bodies and IV discs

–Attached mainly to IV discs

–Extends from C2 to sacrum

–Helps prevent hyperflexion

–Well innervated

Question 19

Describe the Ligamentum flavum its location and function

Answer 19

• Extends from inferior border of lamina above to superior border of lamina below adjacent vertebra
• Resists separation of the lamina
• Stops abrupt flexion
• High elastic content so assists with straightening after flexion

Question 20

Describe the Interspinous ligaments its location and function

Answer 20

•Joins adjacent spinous processes (connects spinous processes)

Also attached to ligamentum flavum anteriouly and supraspinous ligament posteriorly

•Weak; more like a thin membrane

It resists flexion by resisting the separation of the spinous processes

Question 21

Describe the Supraspinous ligaments

Answer 21

Strong fibrous ligament

Attched to the posterior border (point) of the spinous processes

C7-L3/4 It limits flexion is stronger than the infraspinous ligament

Question 22

What are the movments of the vertebra

Answer 22

Flextion and extension

Lateral flextion and extension

Rotation

Question 23

Name two main mucles in the back which attach to the vertebra and what they attach to

Answer 23

Paraspinals- attache to the spinous process

Quadratus Lumborum- Lower back, either side of lumber spine. Attches internally to 12th rib and L1-L4

Question 24

What is a herniated disk? Name the different stages of its pathological progression

Answer 24

Slipped IV disk

•Contained

Protruding or bulging

•Extruded

Prolapsed or ruptured

•Sequestered

Free fragment

Question 25

What part of the spine can nerniated disks damage/ compress

Answer 25

The spine

Question 26

When does degeneration of the IV disk start?

Answer 26

twenties

Question 27

What is the consequence of a degenrated IV disk?

Answer 27

• Nucleus pulposus dries out
• Lose height
• Disc not as resilient
• Disc doesn’t absorb shocks as well
• As IV disc degenerates spinal nerve roots can be compressed
• Especially in lumbar region

Question 28

What is the movment between adjacent vertebrae

What are the movments of the whole vertebrae?

Answer 28

Flextion and extension

Flextion and extension, medial and lateral rotation

Question 29

Name the 4 curves in the spine, which are primary and which are secondary. When are the primary and secondary curves developed?

Answer 29

• cervical- secondary
• thoracic- primary
• lumbar- secondary
• sacral- primary

Primary- fetal development

Secondary- Child hood development- hold head and walk

Question 30

Which spinal curve allows the most movment?

Answer 30

Secondary curves

Question 31

What is the function of the vertebral body

Answer 31

Gives strength to vertebral column and supports body weight

Question 32

How is the vertebral arch formed?

Answer 32

Pedicles meet laminae attached to vertebral body

Question 33

What does the spinal cord go through?

Answer 33

Vertebral foramen

Question 34

Name 7 processes in a typical vertebrae

Answer 34

• 1 spinous process
• 2 transverse processes
• 4 articular processes•

Question 35

What is the function of processes and articular processes?

Answer 35

Processes - sites of attachment for deep back muscles,

Articular processes- restrict movement