Living Anatomy: Bones & Joints of the Lumbar Vertebral Column, Sacrum and Pelvis

Question 1

Lordosis is…

Answer 1

the posterior bending of the vertebral column (opposite of kyphosis)

Question 2

Foramen Transversalium, found in the cervical vertebrae, are…

Answer 2

holes that the vertebral artery and vein pass through.

Question 3

Cervical vertebrae allow ____ movements, including,

Answer 3

Cervical vertebrae allow ALL movements
• Flexion/Extension
o Extensive in the lumbar vertebral column
o Limited in the thoracic vertebral column due to the spines being orientated sharply downwards

• Lateral Flexion
o Moderate

• Rotation
o Restricted in the lumbar vertebral column due to the medial and lateral facing articular facets
o Allowed in the thoracic spine

Question 4

• Intervertebral discs are _____ structures

* The inside of the disc is called the _____, which is contained within a tough layer called the ______

Answer 4

• Intervertebral discs are fibrocartilaginous structures
• The inside of the disc is called the nucleus pulposis, which is contained within a tough layer called the annulus fibrosus

Question 5

• Herniation occurs when the _____ protrudes through a weakening in the ____
• Two types of herniation:
o ______
o ______
• _____ - presses on a _____ and causes pain in one area
• _____ - presses on the _____ and causes pain _____

Answer 5

• Herniation occurs when the nucleus pulposis protrudes through a weakening in the nucleus pulposis
• Two types of herniation:
o Posterolateral
o Posterior
• Posterolateral - presses on a spinal nerve and causes pain in one area
• Posterior - presses on the spinal cord and causes pain downstream of the herniation