Lab 2

Question 1

6 components to vertebrae

Answer 1

1) : Body
2) : Spinous Process
3) : Transverse Process
4) : Lamina
5) : Pedicles
6) : Articular processes/facets

Question 2

Describe and provide another name for the Atlas*

Answer 2

-C1–Has no body or spinous process
Has very wide transverse processes on either side (can feel it behind your ear)
-NOTE: All structures on the “should find” list have a star next to them

Question 3

Describe and provide another name for the Axis*

Answer 3

C2–Has the Dens

Has large bifid spinous process (what you feel on you neck)

Question 4

What is the dens*?

Answer 4

A boney process that is perpendicular to the Atlas and which provides a pivot point for the atlas to rotate

Question 5

Unique features of cervical vertebrae

Answer 5

1) : Foramen transversarium* (holes in the transverse processes that the vertebral artery* runs through)
2) : Bifid spinous process
3) : Bifid transverse process
4) : C7 has a long spinous process
5) : 7 cervical vertebrae but 8 nerves that come out ABOVE the spine (besides the 8th one, which comes out below C7)
6) : Concave posteriorly (Secondary curvature)

Question 6

Unique features of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 6

1) : Costal facets for articulation with ribs (on the transverse process)
2) : Articular facets (sites where vertebrae attach to other vertebrae) are oriented posterior/anterior
3) : Spinous process projects inferiorly
4) : 12 of them
5) : Concave anteriorly (primary curvature)

Question 7

Unique features of lumbar vertebrae

Answer 7

Difficult to differentiate from T-vertebrae

1) : Long, slender transverse process
2) : Articular facets face medially, laterally
3) : 5 of them
4) : Concave posteriorly (Secondary curvature)

Question 8

Unique features of sacral vertebrae

Answer 8

1) : The 5 of them form big fused structure (sacrum) during development.
2) : Articulate with coccygeal vertebrae (4ish–variable as they are no longer functional)
3) : Concave anteriorly (Primary curvature)

Question 9

What are the 5 main ligaments of the spine, going from dorsal (spinous process) to ventral (body)?

Answer 9

1) : Supraspinous (runs along the spinous processes)
2) : Interspinous (Between spinous processes)
3) : Ligamentum flavum* (connect adjacent laminae)
4) : Posterior longitudinal* (runs along inside of vertebral bodies)
5) : Anterior longitudinal* (runs along front of bodies)

Question 10

Where is the conus medullaris* and what does it signify?

Answer 10

At L1-L2 and signifies the end of the spinal cord (And beginning of what?)

Question 11

What is the cauda equina*?

Answer 11

The dorsal and ventral nerve roots that extend beyond the spinal cord in the lumbar and sacral region

Come down from conus medullaris

Question 12

What is the filum terminale*?

Answer 12

Part of the cauda equina that goes all the way to the sacrum (other parts branch off before then)

Question 13

From the spinal cord out, name the 3 meninges

Answer 13

1) : Pia mater
2) : Arachnoid
3) : Dura mater*

Question 14

Describe the pia

Answer 14

Single-cell layer that wraps around spinal cord

Attaches to the arachnoid and dura mater via dentate ligaments, which provide stability to the cord against motion
in the vertebral column

Question 15

Describe the arachnoid

Answer 15

Thin layer between the pia and the dura

Forms the subarachnoid space between the arachnoid and and pia that houses CSF

Question 16

Describe the dura mater

Answer 16

Provides a tough layer protecting the spine

Question 17

What are the 2 types of spinal nerve roots?

Answer 17

Dorsal root

Ventral root*

Question 18

What type of information does the dorsal root carry, and where are dorsal root cell bodies?

Answer 18

• Sensory information

- Cell bodies for sensory nerves come together to form the dorsal root ganglia* visible outside dura mater

Question 19

What type of information does the ventral root carry?

Answer 19

• Motor information

- Cell bodies contained are in the spinal cord

Question 20

What is the correct order from the spinal cord of spinal nerve, ramus and root?

Answer 20

Root–Nerve–Ramus (ramus=branch)

Question 21

What are the 2 rami of the spinal nerve and what kind of information do they carry?

Answer 21

• Ventral and dorsal ramus

- Each carries both sensory and motor information (mixed nerves)

Question 22

What are the 2 exceptions to dorsal and/or ventral rami being mixed nerves, and why are they not?

Answer 22

• C1 dorsal ramus (AKA Suboccipital Nerve*) carries only MOTOR information
• C2 dorsal ramus (AKA Greater Occipital Nerve*) carries only SENSORY information
• GON innervates the skin on the back of the skull and is thus is for sensory input, while SON innervates the muscles of the suboccipital triangle and is for motor input

Question 23

What does the dorsal ramus innervate?

Answer 23

-TRUE back muscles

Question 24

Describe the pattern of nerves coming from the invertebral foramen

Answer 24

• 1:1 ratio of nerves to vertebrae EXCEPT for cervical (1 extra nerve)
• Nerves exit BELOW vertebrae EXCEPT for cervical (exit above)
• The 8th cervical nerve exits below C-7

Question 25

What is a dermatome map?

Answer 25

• Show regions of skin innervated by nerves form particular regions of the spine
• Happen because of segmental development
• Can be used to diagnose where spinal cord may have been injured (Ex: Paresthesia of little finger could be a problem with c8 nerve)

Question 26

What does the suboccipital triangle do?

Answer 26

The muscles of the suboccipital triangle provide for fine movement of the head

Question 27

What are the muscles that make up the suboccipital triangle and which one does not directly contribute a side of the triangle?

Answer 27

• Obliquus capitis inferior*
• Obliquus capitis superior*
• Rectus capitis posterior major*
• Rectus capitis posterior minor*
• The rectus capitis minor is closer to the midline but does not directly contribute to the triangle.

Question 28

What bones do the rectus capitis muscles attach to?

Answer 28

• Major: C2 (axis) to skull

- Minor: C1 (atlas) to skull

Question 29

Where is the occipital artery* found?

Answer 29

-Large artery on the back of the head