Introduction to skeletal and spinal anatomy

Question 1

What is a translational movement?

Answer 1

Moving of structures relative to each other across a plane

Question 2

What does varus describe?

Answer 2

The distal limb is more medial than the proximal limb

Question 3

What does vagus describe?

Answer 3

The proximal limb is more medial than the distal limb

Question 4

What is a (sub)luxation?

Answer 4

Dislocation

Question 5

What is an avulsion?

Answer 5

Piece of bone has broken away from the large bone

Question 6

Where is the flaval ligament found and what is its function?

Answer 6

Between dorsal portions of vertebrae. The function is to sit across facet joints and hold the vertebrae together.

Question 7

Where is the supraspinous ligament found and what is its function?

Answer 7

Runs along the top of the spinous processes. Becomes the nuchal ligament.
Function: hyperflexion of the spinal column.

Question 8

Where is the dorsal longitudinal ligament found and what is its function?

Answer 8

Dorsal to the vertebral bodies.

Function: resist hyperflexion.

Question 9

Where is the ventral longitudinal ligament found and what is its function?

Answer 9

Ventral to the vertebral bodies.

Function: resist hyperextension.

Question 10

What is the function of the intervertebral discs?

Answer 10

Shock absorption

Question 11

What are the annulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus?

Answer 11

Annulus fibrosus - Tough ring of the intervertebral disc. Thinner dorsally.
Nucleus pulposus - soft centre of the intervertebral disc.

Question 12

Where is the intercapital ligament found and what is its function?

Answer 12

Links the heads of ribs ventral to the spinal cord and dorsal to the intervertebral disc.
Only found at T2-T10.

Question 13

Why is the location of the intercapital ligament clinically significant?

Answer 13

It makes disc extrusion at T2-T10 extremely uncommon.

Question 14

What causes intervertebral disc extrusion?

Answer 14

When the nucleus pulposus is under pressure it may herniate. This causes the dorsal portion of the vertebral disc to push into the ventral foramen and onto the spinal cord, as the annulus fibrosus is thinner dorsally.

Question 15

What is the function and innervation of the epaxial muscles?

Answer 15

Extension of the spine. Lateral movement if engaged on 1 side. Innervated by the dorsal branches of spinal nerves.

Question 16

What is the function and innervation of the hypaxial muscles?

Answer 16

Flexion of the spine.

Innervated by ventral branches of spinal nerves.