Joints of vertebral column Flashcards
What lies in between the vertebral bodies of adjacent vertebrae?
Intervertebral discs
What percentage of the vertebral column height is made up by the intervertebral discs, normally?
25%
What are the intervertebral discs made up of?
Fibrocartilage
70% water
20% collagen
10% proteoglycans
What shape are the intervertebral discs?
Wedge shaped
Are the intervertebral discs thicker anteriorly or posteriorly?
Anteriorly
What is the basic structure of an intervertebral disc?
Inner nucleus polposus
Outer annulus fibrosus
What is the basic structure of the annulus fibrosis?
Lamellae of annular bands
at different angles to each other
What are the outer lamellae made out of?
Type 1 collagen (like ligaments)
What are the inner lamellae made out of?
Fibrocartilage
What is the vascular and nervous supply of the annulus fibrosis?
It doesn’t have any!
is avascular and aneural
What is the function of the annulus fibrosus?
To act as the major shock absorber
Very resilient under compression
What is the nucleus polposus derived from?
Is a remnant of the notochord
What is the nucleus polopsus made up of?
Type 2 collagen, lots of water
Where is the nucleus polopsus located in children? And in adults?
Located centrally in children
Located posteriorly in adults
What causes changes in size of the nucleus polopsus?
Age
Also changes in size throughout the day
What are the main ligaments of the vertebral column?
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Ligamentum flavum
Interspinous ligaments
Supraspinous ligament
How are the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments named?
In relation to their position to the vertebral body
Where does the anterior longitudinal ligament originate?
Anterior tubercle of atlas
Where does the anterior longitudinal ligament insert?
Sacrum
How is the anterior longitudinal ligament attached to most of the vertebral column?
Adhered to periosteum of vertebral bodies
Mobile over intervertebral discs
What is the function of the anterior longitudinal ligament?
Prevent hyperextension
Where does the posterior longitudinal ligament originate?
Body of axis
Where does the posterior longitudinal ligament insert?
Sacral canal
What does the posteriorly longitudinal ligament continue superiorly as?
The tectorial membrane
What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?
Prevent hyperflexion
Which is stronger - the anterior or posterior longitudinal ligament?
The anterior longitudinal ligament
How does the posterior longitudinal ligament affect disc prolapse?
It dictates where the disc will prolapse
disc will move laterally to it
Where does the ligamentum flavum lie?
Between the laminae of adjacent vertebrae
What is the function of the ligamentum flavum?
Prevent hyperflexion
Strengthen the facet joints
What is the colour of the ligamentum flavum?
Yellow
The ligamentum flavum contain lots of what type of fibre?
Elastic fibres
What do the interspinous ligaments attach to?
Superior spinous process
inferior spinous process
Are the interspinous ligaments relatively strong or weak?
Weak
Where are the interspinous ligaments most well developed?
Lumbar region
What do the interspinous ligaments do?
Stabilise flexion
What do the interspinous ligaments fuse with?
The supraspinous ligament
What does the supraspinous ligament attach to?
Tips of adjacent spinous processes
Is the supraspinous ligament relatively strong or weak?
Strong
What is the function of the supraspinous ligament?
Prevent hyperflexion
