L5 Vertebral Column Flashcards
Define “Primary Curvature”
Refers to thoracic and sacral curvatures, which are the same in adult as they were in foetal life. They are kyphoses (outward curve).
Define “Secondary Curvature”
Refers to the cervical and lumbar lordoses (inwards curve). These curvatures develop through childhood but are not present in the foetus.
Excessive kyphosis generally affects which region of the spine?
Thoracic
Excessive lordosis generally affects which region of the spine?
Lumbar
True or false: Excessive kyphosis is a common consequence of pregnancy.
False.
Excessive lordosis (hollow back) is a consequence of pregnancy caused by the increased anterior weight of the foetus.
Excessive kyphosis (hunchback) tends to affect older people.
Which part of a vertebrae forms part of the intervertebral foramen and joins the body of the vertebra to it’s posterior structures?
Pedicles
Which type of vertebra is being described:
“Small body with an elevated uncus, transverse foramina found in lateral masses, bifid spinous process.”
a) Cervical
b) Lumbar
c) Sacral
d) Thoracic
a) Cervical
Where are transverse foramina found and what is their function?
Found in the lateral masses of C1-C6, the transverse foramina form a protected passage for the vertebral arteries and veins travelling to and from the brain.
The vertebral arteries are branches from which main artery?
Subclavian
Which vertebra is a ring structure?
C1 (Atlas)
The dens is found on which vertebra?
C2 (Axis)
Which vertebra articulates with the occiput?
C1
True or false: C1 does not have a vertebral body
True. C1 (Atlas) is a ring-shaped bone with no vertebral body.
True or false: C1 has a bifid spinous process
False: C1 does not have a spinous process. C2 has a bifid spinous process.
The body of C2 is highly modified into an upward projection called __?__.
The dens
__1__ articulates with the __2__ of __3__ to make a pivot joint for rotation of the head from side to side.
1) The dens
2) anterior arch
3) C1
What structure holds the dens in place?
The transverse ligament
Which type of vertebra is being described:
“Heart shaped vertebral body with superior and inferior costal demifacets, spinous process is long and projects postero-inferiorly”
a) Cervical
b) Lumbar
c) Sacral
d) Thoracic
d) Thoracic
In which direction to the articular facets face for each of these regions:
a) Cervical
b) Thoracic
c) Lumbar
Cervical articular facets:
- superior directed supero-posteriorly
- inferior directed infero-anteriorly
Thoracic articular facets:
- superior directed posteriorly
- inferior directed anteriorly
Lumbar articular facets:
- superior directed medially
- inferior directed laterally
The head of the rib articulates with the __1__ demifacet of the corresponding vertebra and the __2__ demifacet of the vertebra __3__.
1) superior
2) inferior
3) above
The tubercle of the rib articulates with the __1__ facet on the __2__.
1) costal
2) transverse process
Which type of vertebra is being described:
“Large body. Superior articular facets face medially, inferior articular facets face laterally. Spinous process is short and sturdy”
a) Cervical
b) Lumbar
c) Sacral
d) Thoracic
b) Lumbar
True or false: A burst fracture of L5 vertebra puts the spinal cord at risk.
False.
The spinal does not extend this far down. However, there are spinal nerves of the cauda equina which would be at risk.
Which vertebral ligament is damaged in a whiplash injury?
Anterior longitudinal
True or false: Whiplash injury occurs by hyperextension of the vertebral column
True
It isn’t the forward movement, it’s the backwards movement that causes the injury. It is important to have your headrest properly adjusted!
Which vertebral ligament binds the lamina of adjacent vertebrae?
Ligamentum flavum
Which vertebral ligament(s) resist hyperextension?
Only the anterior longitudinal ligament. The other resist hyperflexion.
Which vertebral ligament spans occipital bone to sacrum?
Anterior longitudinal
Which vertebral ligament spans C2 to sacrum?
Posterior longitudinal
What is “annulus fibrosus”?
Outer part of the intervertebral disc.
Outer fibrocartilage ring attached to the rim of the vertebral body.
What is “nucleus pulposus”?
Inner part of the intervertebral disc.
Central gelatinous ‘shock absorber’.
