Lumbar Spine Anatomy

Question 1

IVDs act to absorb and transmit __________ loads and tensile stress from one vertebrae to another.

Answer 1

AXIAL

Question 2

Which lumbar vertebrae is the largest?

Answer 2

5TH

Question 3

TRUE or FALSE

The vertebrae above the 5th sits slightly anterior allowing normal lordotic curve.

Answer 3

FALSE

4TH V SITS SLIGHTLY BACKWARD

Question 4

Name the most common segment for problems in the vertebral column?

Answer 4

L5 - S1

Question 5

The lumbar facet joints sit in the ___________ plane

Answer 5

SAGGITAL

making rotation and side bending limited

Question 6

Name the 3 roles of the lumbar facets?

Answer 6

1. STABILIZE
2. ALLOW LIMITED MOVEMENT
3. PROTECT IVDS FROM SHEAR FORCES

Question 7

Which way do superior facet joints face?

Answer 7

MEDIAL
and
BACKWARD

Question 8

Which way do inferior facet joints face?

Answer 8

LATERAL
and
FORWARD

Question 9

Injury, degeneration, and trauma can lead to the 3 spondys- name them and differentiate?

Answer 9

SPONDYLOSIS - degeneration of the IVD
+
SPONDYLOLYSIS - defect in pars interarticularis (bt lamina and pedicle)
+
SPONDYLOLYTHESIS - forward displacement of one vertebrae over another (Darla has)

Question 10

Discs make up ______% of the spinal column, which increases with age.

Answer 10

25

Question 11

Name the 2 parts of a disc?

Answer 11

ANNULUS FIBROSIS
+
NUCLEUS PULPOSIS

Question 12

Name the 4 injuries which can happen to the IVDs?

Answer 12

1. PROTRUSION
2. PROLAPSE
3. EXTRUSION
4. SEQUESTRATION

Question 13

Protrusion involves NO rupture of the __________ _________.

Answer 13

ANNULUS FIBROSIS

Question 14

With IVD prolapse, only outer fibers contain the __________ ___________.

Answer 14

NUCLEUS PULPOSIS

Question 15

With ___________, the annulus fibrosis is perforated, and the nucleus pulposis bulges into spinal canal.

Answer 15

EXTRUSION

Question 16

In full blown ______________, fragments of the nucleus pulposis are freely floating in spinal canal.

Answer 16

SEQUESTRATION

Question 17

Name the resting and closed packed positions of the L spine?

Answer 17

RESTING - midway b/t FLEXION and EXTENSION
+
CLOSE-PACKED - EXTENSION

Question 18

If you hear a pop or tearing assessing the lumbar spine, what would you assume was faulty?

Answer 18

MUSCLE

Question 19

If your patient experiences numbness assessing the lumbar spine, what would you assume was faulty?

Answer 19

PERIPHERAL NERVE
or
NERVE ROOT IRRITATION

Question 20

If you sense catching assessing the lumbar spine, what would you assume was faulty?

Answer 20

MUSCLE SPASM
or
FACET JOINT

Question 21

If your patient experiences tingling/warmth/coldness assessing the lumbar spine, what would you assume was faulty?

Answer 21

NERVE ROOT
or
CIRCULATION