Lumbar Spine Flashcards

1
Q

How many lumbar vertebrae are there?

A

5

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the functions of the spine?

A
Central pillar of the body 
Support - skull, pelvis, ribs, upper limbs
Protect - spinal cord, cauda equiain 
Movement 
Haemopoiesis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the main parts of a lumbar vertebrae?

A

Vertebral body

Vertebral arch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What lies between the body and the arch?

A

Vertebral foramen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is found in the vertebral foramen?

A

Conus
Cauda equina
Meninges

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How many processes extend from the vertebral arch?

A

7

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the processes on the vertebral arch?

A

1x spinous process
2x transverse process
2x superior articular process
2x inferior articular process

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Draw a lumbar vertebrae?

A

See notes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What bone makes up the vertebral body?

A

10% cortical bone

90% cancellous bone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the function of the vertebral body?

A

Main weight bearing component

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What covers the superior and inferior articular surfaces of the vertebral body?

A

Hyaline cartilage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What do the superior articular processes articulate with?

A

Interlock with vertebrae above

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What do the inferior articular processes articulate with?

A

Interlock with vertebra below

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the lamina?

A

Connects transverse process to spinous process

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the pedicle?

A

Connects transverse process to vertebral body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What type of joint is made by the superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae?

A

Facet joint

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What lines a facet joint?

A

Hyaline cartilage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Where do spinal nerves emerge?

A

Intervertebral foramina

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What movements can lumbar spine do?

A

Flexion
Extension
Lateral flexion
Rotation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What makes up the intervertebral discs?

A

70% water
20% collagen
10% proteoglycans

21
Q

What shape are the intervertebral discs?

A

Slightly wedge shaped posteriorly

22
Q

What are the 2 regions of intervertebral discs?

A

Nucleus pulposus

Annulus fibrosus

23
Q

Where is the annulus fibrosus in an intervertebral disc?

A

Peripheral rings

24
Q

What is the function of the annulus fibrosus?

A

Shock absorber

25
Q

What makes the annulus fibrosus?

A

Type 1 collagen

26
Q

Where is the nucleus pulposus in the intervertebral disc?

A

Centre

27
Q

What makes the nucleus pulposus?

A

Type 2 collagen

28
Q

What are the main ligaments of the vertebral column?

A
Anterior longitudinal ligament 
Posterior longitudinal ligament 
Ligamentum flavum 
Interspinous ligaments
Supraspinous ligaments
29
Q

What is the purpose of the ligaments?

A

Provide stability

30
Q

Which longitudinal ligament is stronger?

A

Anterior

31
Q

Where does the anterior longitudinal ligament lie?

A

Anterior tubercle of atlas to sacrum

Blends with periosteum of vertebral bodies

32
Q

What is the function of the anterior longitudinal ligament?

A

Prevents hyperextension

33
Q

Where does the posterior longitudinal ligament lie?

A

Body of axis to sacral canal

Lies on posterior aspect of vertebral body

34
Q

What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

A

Prevents hyperflexion

Reinforces annulus fibrosus centrally

35
Q

Where does ligamentum flavum lie?

A

Between laminae of adjacent vertebrae

36
Q

What makes ligamentum flavum?

A

Elastin

37
Q

Where do interspinous ligaments lie?

A

Between spinous process of adjacent vertebrae

Fuse with supraspinous ligaments

38
Q

Where do supraspinous ligaments lie?

A

Tips of adjacent spinous processes

39
Q

What is the function of the supraspinous ligaments?

A

Mechanical support during flexion

40
Q

What is the sacrum?

A

5 fused vertebrae

41
Q

What does the sacrum articulate with?

A

Superiorly - L5
Laterally - illium
Inferiorly - coccyx

42
Q

What is the coccyx?

A

4 fused vertebrae

43
Q

What is the normal spinal curvature in a foetus?

A

Single C shaped curve

44
Q

What is kyphosis?

A

Spine concaves anteriorly

45
Q

What is lordosis?

A

Spine curves posteriorly

46
Q

What happens to the spine in the development from foetus to adult?

A

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

47
Q

What is the normal spinal curvature in a young adult?

A

4 distinct curvatures

2 kyphoses - thoracic + sacrococcygeal

2 lordosis - cervical + lumbar

48
Q

What happens to the spinal curvature in old age?

A

Loss of secondary curvatures due to loss of discs and osteoporotic fractures

Known as senile kyphosis

49
Q

What happens to the spinal curvature in pregnancy?

A

Exaggeration of lumbar lordosis