Lumbar Spine Structure And Disorders Flashcards

1
Q

How many vertebrae are in the lumbar Spinal region

A

5

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2
Q

What are the most mobile regions of the spinal cord

A

Cervical and lumbar

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3
Q

What are the functions of the spinal cord

A
  • support the skull, pelvis, upper limb and thoracic cage
  • protects the spinal cord and cauda equina
  • allows for movement
  • haemopoiesis
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4
Q

why is the thoracic region relatively immobile

A

as the ribs articulate with these vertebrae restricting movement

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5
Q

how many vertebrae make up the spinal column

A

33

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6
Q

what are the movements of the spinal cord

A
  • flexion and extension
  • lateral flexion
  • rotation
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7
Q

what type of bone is the vertebral body mostly made up of and why

A

cancellous bone as its light weight, can resist compression (as the body is the main weight bearing part) and also can carry out other functions like haemopoiesis

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8
Q

why does the size of the vertebral bodies increase as you go inferiorly

A

as there are greater compressive forces

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9
Q

what is a laminectomy

A

removal of the spinal processes and lamina to relieve compression of the spinal nerve

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10
Q

what makes up the vertebral arch

A

lamina and pedicle

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11
Q

what is the type of joint found between the superior and inferior articular processes

A

facet/plane joint

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12
Q

what strengthens the facet joints

A

ligamentum flavum

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13
Q

what are the advantages of the design of the facet joints

A

the interlocking design prevents anterior dislocation and determines the amount of flexion and rotation

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14
Q

what are intervertebral discs made up of

A

70% water, 20% collagen and 10% proteoglycans

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15
Q

what happens to the height of the IV discs with age

A

they become shorter as the repair of the proteoglycans decreases so they hold less water

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16
Q

what 2 regions do IV discs consist of

A
  • nucleus pulposus

- annular fibrosus

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17
Q

describe the structure of the annular fibrosus and its function

A
  • made up of outer lamellae (type 1 collagen) and inner lamellae (fibrocartilaginous)
  • acts as a shock absorber and is resilient under compression
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18
Q

what is the nucleus pulposus

A

centre of the IV disc made up of type 2 collagen and is gelatinous
changes in size through the day and with age

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19
Q

what are the main ligaments of the spine and where are they found

A
  • anterior longitudinal = covers the vertebral bodies and prevents hyperextension
  • posterior longitudinal = covers vertebral body facing the spinal canal and prevents hyperflexion
  • ligamentum flavum = between lamina of vertebrae
  • interspinous = unite spinous processes
  • supraspinous = join the tips of adjacent spinous processes
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20
Q

true or false - the posterior longitudinal ligament is stronger than the anterior

A

false - the anterior is stronger

21
Q

why is the ligamentum flavum yellow

A

due to the elastic fibres

22
Q

how many fused vertebrae make up the sacrum and coccyx

A
sacrum = 5
coccyx = 4
23
Q

which parts of the spine are the lordoses regions

A

cervical and lumbar

24
Q

what is the primary curvature

A

the kyphosis (C-shaped) curvature of the fetal spine

25
Q

what is the secondary curvature

A

when the lordoses develop

26
Q

when does the cervical lordosis develop

A

when the child begins to lift its head

27
Q

when does the lumbar lordosis develop

A

when the child starts to walk

28
Q

what happens to the vertebral column in old age

A

primary curvature is re-established and there is senile kyphosis

29
Q

what happens to the curvature of the spine in pregnancy

A

exaggerated lumbar lordosis

30
Q

where do lumbar punctures usually occur

A

in L4/5 as the spinal cord is finished and the cauda equina started so theres less chance of neurological damage

31
Q

what structures does the needle pass through in a lumbar puncture

A

skin, supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament, ligamentum flavum, epidural fat, dura matter

32
Q

what is marginal osteophytosis

A

development of osteophytes on the edges of the joint

33
Q

what are the 4 stages in a slipped disc

A
  1. disc degeneration = discs dehydrate and bulge
  2. prolapse = protrusion of nucleus pulposus with slight impingement
  3. extrusion = nucleus pulposus breaks through and remains in disc space
  4. sequestration = nucleus pulposus breas through and separates from main body
34
Q

where do slipped discs most commonly occur and why

A

L4/5 as this is where the spine is most compressed

35
Q

why do slipped discs herniate posterolaterally

A

this is where the posterior ligament finishes so is an area of weakness

36
Q

what is the most common type of disc prolapse

A

paracentral - which causes impingement of the nerve root below

37
Q

what is sciatica

A

compression of the nerve roots (L4,L5,S1,S2 and S3) which contribute to the sciatic nerve

38
Q

where would the affects of sciatica be felt if L4 was compressed

A

medial lower leg

39
Q

where would the affects of sciatica be felt if L5 was compressed

A

lateral lower leg

40
Q

S1

A

sole of foot

41
Q

what is cauda equina syndrome

A

compression of the cauda equina due to complete filling of the spinal canal by the IV disc giving bilateral sciatica, perianal numbness, painless urine retention

42
Q

what is lumbar canal stenosis

A

narrowing of the spinal canal

43
Q

what 3 things cause lumbar canal stenosis

A
  • bulging of the disc
  • facet joint osteoarthritis (osteophyte formation)
  • ligamentum flavum hypertrophy
44
Q

what is claudication

A

pain in legs when walking either due to narrowing of the blood vessels or nerves

45
Q

what is venous engorgement

A

when the vein is compressed so the lack f blood flow causes the area of vein beneath the compression to expand so much that is impinges the arteries supplying the nerves causing claudication

46
Q

what is spondyloisthesis

A

slip forward of the vertebra above

47
Q

what are the 3 main types of spondylolisthesis

A
  • dysplastic = abnormality in the shape of the facet joint
  • isthmic = stress fracture of the par interarticularis
  • degenerative = arthritis in the facet joint
48
Q

what does iscthmic spondyloidthesis present with

A

back pain as the arch is not intact so cant compress the spinal canal

49
Q

what does degenerative spondylolisthesis present with

A

claudication as the arch is still intact so a stenosis develops