Lumbar spine

Question 1

Orientation of the facet joints in the lumbar spine

Answer 1

perpendicular to transverse plane (90 degrees)

45 degrees to the coronal plane

Question 2

Orientation of the facet joints in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine? (relative to the coronal and transverse planes).

Answer 2

Cervical- in the coronal plane, 45 degrees to axial
Thoracic- 20 degrees to coronal plane, 60 degrees to axial
Lumbar- 45 degrees to coronal, 90 degrees (perpendicular) to axial

Question 3

The inferior facets on L5 face a different direction.

Where do they face and why?

Answer 3

L1- L4 face antero- laterally. L5 faces anteriorly

Prevents the spinal cord sliding anteriorly on the sacrum.

Question 4

What are the major movements of the lumbar spine?

What are the minor?

Answer 4

Major- Flexion and extension

Minor- lateral flexion and rotation

Question 5

What passes through the vertebral foramen of the lumbar spine?

Answer 5

Cauda equina
meninges
conus medullaris (lower end of the spinal cord)

Question 6

The lumbar spine is lordotic

What does this mean?

Answer 6

Concave posteriorly

Question 7

Which spine has the largest vertebral bodies?

Answer 7

Lumbar because it has the largest compressive forces