Lumbar Vertebrae (Quiz 2/Test 2) Flashcards
Lumbar vertebrae have massive _________ SPs
leveled
What are the typical lumbar vertebrae?
L1-L4
What are the largest vertebral bodies in the spine?
lumbar body is the largest
What shape are lumbar body’s?
kidney shaped cylinders with concave sides (wider than they are long)
-become wider, shorter and more concave sides from L1->L5
-epiphysis wedged open anteriorly at L4/L5
What are the features of pedicles on lumbar vertebrae?
-short, thick horizontal cylinders of bone
-shallow superior pedicle notch
-deeper inferior pedicle notch
-formed peanut shaped IVFs***** test q
Where do the pedicles of lumbar vertebrae project?
directly posteriorly from the posterolateral corners of the body
What is the figure 8 sign?
test q
narrowing of IVF suggests lumbar posteriority (this is a problem and usually a subluxation if not worse)
What are the features of TPs on lumbar vertebrae?
-flat, thin blades that are susceptible to fractures
-L1 is the shortest TP in the lumbar spine
-L3 TP is the longest in the lumbar spine
-costogenic tissue (actually lumbar ribs)
Which lumbar TP is the shortest?
L1 TP
Which lumbar TP is the longest?
L3 TP
Where do the TPs of lumbar vertebrae project?
laterally, slightly posterosuperiorly from the pedicles
What are the features of the accessory processes of lumbar vertebrae?
-small pointed bump (may be indistinct)
-costogenic tissue
Where do the accessory processes of lumber vertebrae project?
from the posterior base of the tp
What are the accessory processes of lumbar vertebrae homologous to?
T12 inferior tubercle
What are the features of the pre-zygopophyses of lumbar vertebrae?
-massive, strong, rounded process
-set more widely apart from the post-zygopophyses
Where do the pre-zygopophyses of lumbar vertebrae project?
posterosuperiorly from the pedicle
What are the features of superior articular surfaces of lumbar vertebrae?
-cover the entire medial aspect
-round, oval, irregular shape
-large, smooth clearly marginated
-flat vertically and concave AP
What direction do the superior articular surfaces of lumbar vertebrae face?
posteromedially (most medially at L3)
What are the features of mammillary processes of lumbar vertebrae? Where is it located?
-distinct rounded bump
-located on the posterior margin of the pre-zygopophyses
-true transverse of lumbar vertebrae
-adjusting contact point (NOT TP bc its very delicate in lumbars)
-palpate just superolaterally to their own spinous
What are the mammillary processes homologous to?
T12 superior tubercle of TP
What is the pars interarticularis/vertebral isthmus?
-bridge of bone between the pre and post zygopophyses
-separate distinct feature in lumbar vertebrae
-narrowest area and focus of stress in the vertebral arch
What part of the spine is more susceptible to herniated discs?
lumbar
strengthen core and it will help
L5 is usually where is starts bc its holding all your weight
What is spondylolysis/spondylolisthesis?
-a lumbar vertebrae anomaly
-its a congenital mal-ossification or fracture
-causes forward slippage of body
-can be caused by anterolisthesis
-most commonly happens at L5
-scotty dog’s collar is seen on lumbar oblique x-rays (contralaterally)
note: there are broken grades on a scale of 0-5 that depends on how far it moves from the sacrum or vertebra below (5 being it completely fell off below vertebra or sacrum)
What are the features of post-zygopophyses of lumbar vertebrae?
-strong prominent processes set closely together
-project inferiorly from the interarticularis
What are the features of the inferior articular surfaces of lumbar vertebrae?
-covers the entire post-zygopophysis anterolaterally
-tall ovals that are flat SI and convex AP
-face anterolaterally (most directly lateral at L3)
-interlock with the superior articular surfaces below does not allow rotation
Where do the laminae of the lumbar vertebrae project?
posteromedially from the post-zygopophyses
What are the characteristics of laminae in the lumbar vertebrae?
-broad, thick, and strong
-notched top and bottom
-forms the posterior walls of the neural canal
What are the features of SPs of lumbar vertebrae?
-large, long, rectangular, stocky
-level with vertebral body
-large fusiform “distal spinous tubercle”
Where do the SPs of lumbar vertebrae project?
nearly horizontally
What makes L5 atypical?
-mostly typical- looks like a squished lumbar
-vertebral body is wide, short, and very concave on the sides
-most wedged epiphyses (open to anterior)
-may show lipping/spurring (pathology)
-more susceptible to osteoarthritis bc it holds a lot of weight
-SP is shorter and rounded
-SP is angled postero-inferior
-SP is harder to palpate than other lumbar SPs
-has shortened/thickened TPs and pedicles
