Lumbar Spine Flashcards
How would you describe the curvature of the lumbar spine
Secondary curvature, lordosis
Describe lumbar vertebral bodies
Wider side to side than AP
Kidney-shaped
Describe the difference in vertebral bodies from l1-l5
Anterior VB height increases from l1-l5
L3 anterior VB is same as posterior VB height
Varies by a few mm
Describe lumbar pedicles
Extend from upper VB
L1-L2 extends straight back
L3-L5 obliques approx 45 degrees from sagittal
Wider apart
How does the lumbar laminae differ from the thoracic laminae?
No imbrication
Very large interlaminar space on xray
Describe lumbar transverse processes
Project laterally from pedicle - largest/widest at L3 (most vulnerable to fracture)
TPs increase in width until l3 and then decrease in width
Describe lumbar spinous processes
Large - quadrate - club-like
Describe lumbar facets
90 degree
Superior facets face posterior and medial with a concave surface
TRANSITION from L1-L5 from sagittal to coronal
Which lumbar facet joints are in the sagittal plane?
L1-L3
Which lumber facet joints are in the coronal plane?
L4-L5
What is facet tropism?
Facet asymmetry - pretty common
One facet on a segment is in coronal plane and the other facet on the same segment is in the sagittal plane
What is the mammillary process?
Extends posteriorly from SAP
Adjustment contact point
Attachment for ligament and muscles
What ligament attaches to the mammillary process?
MAL
What is the accessory process?
Process on posterior aspect TP of lumbar vertebrae MAL attachment (which protects the nerve root)
Describe the location of the pars interarticularis
Behind the pedicle, in front of the lamina, above and below articular processes, medial to transverse processes
