Lumbar Spine

Question 1

excessive kyphosis

Answer 1

exaggerated posterior convexity in the thoracic region, often seen with age

Question 2

excessive lordosis

Answer 2

accentuation of the normal cervical or lumbar curvature (exaggeration of the posterior concavity)

Question 3

vertical struts

Answer 3

provides weight bearing strength to sustain compressive loads

Question 4

horizontal struts

Answer 4

prevent shearing loads

prevent vertical beans from bowing

Question 5

pars interarticularis

Answer 5

part of lamina between the superior and inferior articulating processes

Question 6

lumbarization

Answer 6

S1 is detached from sacrum and acts as lumbar vertebra

Question 7

sacralization

Answer 7

fusion of L5 onto sacrum

Question 8

intervertebral disc layers

Answer 8

1. neurovascular capsule
2. outer annulus fibrosis
3. inner annulus
4. inner nucleus pulposus
5. fibercartilaginous endplate

Question 9

annulus fibrosus

Answer 9

• composed of 10-20 layers of rings of fibrocartilage
• function: protect and isolate the nucleus
• high capacity for weight bearing

Question 10

nucleus pulposus

Answer 10

• gel like substance made primarily of water (70-90%)

- hydrophilic

Question 11

IV joints

Answer 11

• synarthroses
• cartilaginous
• symphysis
• bony members

Question 12

ligamentous support

Answer 12

• anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL)
• posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL): runs C2-L5
• ligamentum flavum: runs lamina to lamina
• supraspinous ligament: runs C7-L3
• interspinous ligament: runs entire length of spine
• intertransverse ligament: TP to TP’s
• iliolumbar ligament: iliac crest to TP of L4-L5

Question 13

thoracolumbar fascia

Answer 13

• anterior layer: anterior surface of quadratus lumborum, medially to transverse process
• middle layer: posteromedial aspect of quadratus lumborum, attaches to tips of TP
• posterior layer: attached to the SP of thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebra

Question 14

spinal cord

Answer 14

• extends to L2
• conus medullaris: distal end; cone shaped
• filum terminale: terminal end
• cauda equina: below the spinal cord
• gray matter: nerve cell bodies and connecting fibers
• white matter: ascending and descending tracts

Question 15

spinal cord layers

Answer 15

1. dura mater: outer layer
2. arachnoid mater: middle layer
3. pia mater: inner layer

• subarachnoid space
• dorsal rami: sensory/afferent
• ventral rami: motor/efferent

Question 16

forward bending

Answer 16

• anterior transition of IV joint
• facets upglide
• 60 degrees
• end feel: tissue stretch
• limitations: PLL, supraspinous, interspinous, ligamentum flavum, intertransverse

Question 17

backward bending

Answer 17

• translation IV joint
• facet downglide
• end feel: firm
• 25 degrees
• limitations: ALL

Question 18

sidbending

Answer 18

functional: ipsilateral rotation of facets (RSB= R open, L close)

non-functional: SB and rotation are opposite (contralateral)

• limitations: intertransverse, iliolumbar
  25 degrees