Lumbar Anatomy Review

Question 1

What is the following?

• consists primarily of 15 - 25 concentric layers of collagen fibers
• outer most layers of Type I and Type II collagen fibers

Answer 1

Annulus fibrosus

Question 2

What is this a function of?

stabilizing is primarily a result of structural configuration of the colleagen fibers within

Answer 2

Annulus Fibrosus

Question 3

What is the orientation of collagen rings in annulus fibrosus?

Answer 3

65 degrees from vertical

Question 4

What is this structure?

Pulplike gel located in the mid-to-posterior part of the disc
- stucture: proteoglycan mixture are thin type II collagen fibers, elastin fibers and other proteins

Answer 4

Nucleus pulposus

Question 5

Why is healthy lordosis important?

Answer 5

Helps with efficent gate

Question 6

What is the function of anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 6

limits extension

Question 7

What is the function of posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 7

limits flexion

Question 8

What is the function of the supraspinal and interspinal ligaments?

Answer 8

local stability and limits flexion

Question 9

What is the function of ligamentum flavum

Answer 9

high degree of elastin and assits with stability and limits flexion

Question 10

What is the orientation of apophyseal (facet) joint

Answer 10

near-vertically oriented

Question 11

What is “pleats” of connective tissure variously placed along the internal surface of the joint capsule

Answer 11

Fibro-adipose meniscoids

Question 12

What blocks excessive anterior translation of one vertebra on another

Answer 12

Apophyseal (facet) joints

Question 13

What are levers that increase mechanical leverage mm. and ligaments

will therefore assist with motion

Answer 13

transverse and spinous processes

Question 14

What guides intervetbral motion

Answer 14

Apophyseal joints

Question 15

What connects an intervetebral disc with a pair of vertebral bodies and absorbs and distributes loads acorss the vertebral column

Answer 15

Interbody joint

Question 16

What are local movers and stabilizers

Answer 16

Intrinsic muscle stabilizers

Question 17

What are global movers?

Answer 17

Extrinsic muscle stabilizers

Question 18

Where do the nerve roots exit?

Answer 18

Bilaterally exit the intervertebral foramen

Question 19

What subsystem is this?

comprise of variety of structures including bones, ligamentous structures, and intervertebral discs

Answer 19

Passive subsystem

Question 20

What is stablizing role by providing passive resistance toward the end range of movement

Answer 20

Passive stabilizing subsystem

Question 21

Does sustained and full lumbar extension reduce or increase pressure in disc?

Answer 21

Reduces disc pressure

Question 22

What subsystem is this?

• recieves input from passive and active subsystems to determine requirement for maintaining stability
• effectiveness may be impaired with injury

Answer 22

Control Subsystem