Lumbar Spine Flashcards
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5
What are the functions of the spine?
Central pillar of the body Support - skull, pelvis, ribs, upper limbs Protect - spinal cord, cauda equiain Movement Haemopoiesis
What are the main parts of a lumbar vertebrae?
Vertebral body
Vertebral arch
What lies between the body and the arch?
Vertebral foramen
What is found in the vertebral foramen?
Conus
Cauda equina
Meninges
How many processes extend from the vertebral arch?
7
What are the processes on the vertebral arch?
1x spinous process
2x transverse process
2x superior articular process
2x inferior articular process
Draw a lumbar vertebrae?
See notes
What bone makes up the vertebral body?
10% cortical bone
90% cancellous bone
What is the function of the vertebral body?
Main weight bearing component
What covers the superior and inferior articular surfaces of the vertebral body?
Hyaline cartilage
What do the superior articular processes articulate with?
Interlock with vertebrae above
What do the inferior articular processes articulate with?
Interlock with vertebra below
What is the lamina?
Connects transverse process to spinous process
What is the pedicle?
Connects transverse process to vertebral body
What type of joint is made by the superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae?
Facet joint
What lines a facet joint?
Hyaline cartilage
Where do spinal nerves emerge?
Intervertebral foramina
What movements can lumbar spine do?
Flexion
Extension
Lateral flexion
Rotation
What makes up the intervertebral discs?
70% water
20% collagen
10% proteoglycans
What shape are the intervertebral discs?
Slightly wedge shaped posteriorly
What are the 2 regions of intervertebral discs?
Nucleus pulposus
Annulus fibrosus
Where is the annulus fibrosus in an intervertebral disc?
Peripheral rings
What is the function of the annulus fibrosus?
Shock absorber
What makes the annulus fibrosus?
Type 1 collagen
Where is the nucleus pulposus in the intervertebral disc?
Centre
What makes the nucleus pulposus?
Type 2 collagen
What are the main ligaments of the vertebral column?
Anterior longitudinal ligament Posterior longitudinal ligament Ligamentum flavum Interspinous ligaments Supraspinous ligaments
What is the purpose of the ligaments?
Provide stability
Which longitudinal ligament is stronger?
Anterior
Where does the anterior longitudinal ligament lie?
Anterior tubercle of atlas to sacrum
Blends with periosteum of vertebral bodies
What is the function of the anterior longitudinal ligament?
Prevents hyperextension
Where does the posterior longitudinal ligament lie?
Body of axis to sacral canal
Lies on posterior aspect of vertebral body
What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?
Prevents hyperflexion
Reinforces annulus fibrosus centrally
Where does ligamentum flavum lie?
Between laminae of adjacent vertebrae
What makes ligamentum flavum?
Elastin
Where do interspinous ligaments lie?
Between spinous process of adjacent vertebrae
Fuse with supraspinous ligaments
Where do supraspinous ligaments lie?
Tips of adjacent spinous processes
What is the function of the supraspinous ligaments?
Mechanical support during flexion
What is the sacrum?
5 fused vertebrae
What does the sacrum articulate with?
Superiorly - L5
Laterally - illium
Inferiorly - coccyx
What is the coccyx?
4 fused vertebrae
What is the normal spinal curvature in a foetus?
Single C shaped curve
What is kyphosis?
Spine concaves anteriorly
What is lordosis?
Spine curves posteriorly
What happens to the spine in the development from foetus to adult?
Primary curvature remodelled to add 2 secondary curvature
Cervical lordosis developed when baby begins to lift head
Lumbar spine loses kyphosis during crawling
Lumbar lordosis develops when child starts walking
What is the normal spinal curvature in a young adult?
4 distinct curvatures
2 kyphoses - thoracic + sacrococcygeal
2 lordosis - cervical + lumbar
What happens to the spinal curvature in old age?
Loss of secondary curvatures due to loss of discs and osteoporotic fractures
Known as senile kyphosis
What happens to the spinal curvature in pregnancy?
Exaggeration of lumbar lordosis