Module 4 Limbs and Back Flashcards
Describe the generic structure of a synovial joint and the function of each of its features
Articular Cartilage (hyaline) on bone surfaces
Articular Capsule
Inner synovial membrane
Outer fibrous membrane
Synovial fluid-filled Joint Cavity
What are Bursae?
Bursae - Synovial membrane-lined ‘sacs’ or ‘cushions’ which are normally ‘collapsed’
Vary in size depending on the individual and the location in the body, usually really thin
Located at points of friction between bone and surrounding soft tissue, such as skin, muscles, ligaments and tendons
Some bursae are just beneath the skin’s surface while others are deep below muscles and other soft tissue
adventitious bursae may develop as a result of repeated stress
tendon sheath
This is a delicate synovial structure (like the finest ‘silk’) called tenosynovium (also known as a tendon sheath), which can be found lining some tendons in specific parts of the body.
Tenosynovitis
Inflammation of the tendon sheath
Articular discs & menisci
Fibrocartilage (type I collagen fibres)
Between poorly congruent articular surfaces
If crescent shaped: ‘menisci’ (sing. meniscus)
If complete: ‘articular discs’
Improvement of fit between articulating surfaces
Deployment of weight over larger surface areas
Shock absorption
Limitation and facilitation of automatic movements
Protection of articular margins
Structural Classification of Joints
SOLID JOINTS
(Joints without a joint cavity)
Fibrous (synarthrotic) joints: bones held together by dense fibrous connective tissue. Very little or no movement.
Cartilaginous (amphiarthrotic) joints: bones are held together by either fibrocartilage (symphysis joints) or hyaline cartilage (synchondrosis joints). Moderate but limited movement.
SYNOVIAL (DIARTHROTIC) JOINTS
Bones are connected by a joint capsule composed of two layers (fibrous+synovial) enclosing a joint cavity. Freely moveable.
Examples of fibrous joints
Sutures between flat bones e.g. skull
Gomphosis - peridontal ligament e.g. teeth
Syndesmosis - interosseous membrane
Examples of cartilaginous joints
Synchrondrosis - cartialge betwwen head and shaft of long bone
Symphysis - intervertebral discs and pubic symphysis
Hinge joint
Uniaxial
Flexion/extension
Elbow Joint
Pivot joint
Uniaxial
Rotation
Atlantoaxial joint - first and second cervical vertebrae
Plane/gliding joint
Gliding in multiple directions
Slide/glide
Intertarsal; intercarpal joints
Condyloid (ellipsoid)
Biaxial
Flexion/extension, adduction/abduction
The atlantooccipital joint - synovial articulation between the occipital bone and the first cervical vertebra (atlas).
Ball and socket
tri-axial
Flexion/extension, adduction/abduction, rotation/ circumduction
Pelvic and Pectoral girdle
Saddle
Biaxial
Flexion/extension, adduction/abduction
Carpometacarpal of the thumb
Three major factors that determine the balance of mobility and stability of a joint:
The shape of the bones of the joint
The musculature of the joint
The ligament/joint capsule complex of the joint
Ligaments (in the MSK system):
Bone to bone
Dense fibrous connective tissue
Different proportion of collagen/elastin fibres
contain great amount of collagen fibres -> strength to withstand pulling forces
poorly vascularised -> do not heal quickly after injury
Tendons:
Muscle to bone
Dense fibrous connective tissue
Few elastin fibres
contain great amount of collagen fibres -> strength to withstand pulling forces
poorly vascularised -> do not heal quickly after injury
Arthritides symptoms
Joint pain, tenderness and stiffness
Joint Inflammation
Warm, red skin over affected joint(s)
Osteoarthritis
Disease involving inflammation of the bone and joint cartilage
Not life threatening, but it can cause severe pain and loss of mobility and independence.
Typical radiographic changes in osteoarthiritis: LOSS
Loss of cartilage
Osteophytes
Sclerosis and eburnation of the subchondral bone
Subchondral cysts (geodes)
osteoarthritic joint changes
Inflammation of the joint cartilage and bone
loss of articular cartilage - usually maintained by chondrocytes
Bone hypertrophy - Subchondral sclerosis and osteophyte formation
Narrowing of the joint space
Synovial membrane hyperplasia
Two types of cell within the synovium
Type A synovocytes - macrophages
Type B synovocytes - Fibroblasts; produce fluid
Gout characteristics
Hyperuricaemia (abnormally high level of uric acid in the blood)
Deposition of urate crystals within synovial joints causing attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis
Tophi (deposits of uric acid crystals) in soft tissues after 10+ years
Possible joint destruction
Renal disease and uric acid urolithiasis
Gout: Pathophysiology
Humans unable to degrade uric acid to a more soluble compound due to lack of the enzyme uricase
Within the joint, urate crystals interact with undifferentiated phagocytes which results in the release of TNF-alpha and interleukin (IL)-8, and other chemokines
An acute inflammatory responseis triggered
Cardinal signs of inflammation
(Usually) spontaneous resolution of an acute gout attack as urate crystals are gradually cleared
Gout: Signs and symptoms
A painful, red, hot, swollen joint, usually at the big toe metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) in the first attack (‘Podagra’) is the typical presentation - but it can affect any joint.
Additional signs and symptoms:
Tophi
Firm, white, translucent nodules
NB: it usually takes at least 10years after the first attack of acute gout for tophi to develop
Most common cause of acute monoarthritis in the elderly
Pseudogout
Pseudogout
Most common cause of acute monoarthritis in the elderly
Most cases idiopathic
Caused by deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals
Also known as Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition (CPPD) disease
Most commonly involves the knee and the upper limb.
Knee most affected joint but shoulders, wrists and metacarpophalangeal joints can be too
Pseudogout S + S
Severe pain, stiffness, swelling, overlying erythema.
Tenderness over the joint
Fever
Psuedogout vs gout differentiation
Pseudogout: Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals extracted from the synovial fluid of a patient with pseudogout viewed under polarised light – crystals are rhomboid-shaped
Gout: Monosodium urate monohydrate crystals from a gouty tophus viewed under polarised light – crystals are needle-shaped
Septic Arthritis
Destructive arthropathy caused by an intra-articular infection.
Infection caused by micro-organisms via either direct inoculation or haematogenous spread
Large joints with abundant blood supply (i.e. shoulder, hip, knee).
Can lead to permanent joint damage and even death.
Requires prompt treatment.
Fever
Purulent synovial fluid
Hot, swollen, acutely painful joint with restriction of movement
How should this presentation be treated until proven otherwise?
Fever
Purulent synovial fluid
Hot, swollen, acutely painful joint with restriction of movement
Septic Arthritis
A hot, swollen, acutely painful, stiff joint is a …. until proven otherwise!
Septic arthiritis
Diagnosing septic arthritis
Arthrocentesis of affected joint for white blood cell (WBC) count, Gram stain and culture.
Cloudy, yellowish appearance of synovial fluid
Raised WBC count, but not 100% sensitive or specific and can be raised in other arthropathies
Identification of causative bacterium via culture (but negative culture does not exclude diagnosis)
Blood samples for cultures:
Full blood count: WBC count raised in 50% of cases (not 100% sensitive or specific)
Blood culture: should always be taken (but negative result does not exclude diagnosis)
Arthrocentesis and blood samples before starting antibiotic therapyunless more urgent treatment is indicated.
Imaging: Usually adjunct to arthrocentesis
Anatomy of muscle compartments: upper limb
Arm
Anterior compartment: arm flexion; forearm flexion and supination
Posterior compartment: forearm extension
Forearm
Anterior compartment: hand, thumb and digits flexion; forearm pronation
Posterior compartment: hand, thumb and digits extension; forearm supination
Anatomy of muscle compartments: lower limb
Thigh:
Anterior compartment: leg extension
Medial compartment: thigh adduction
Posterior compartment: thigh extension and leg flexion
Leg:
Anterior compartment: foot dorsiflexion and digits extension
Lateral compartment: predominantly foot eversion
Posterior compartment: foot plantarflexion and digits flexion
What define the muscular compartments?
Deep fascia: tough and inelastic
Inward projections called intermuscular septa
Septa define muscular compartments in limbs
Compartments contain muscles sharing neurovascular supply and fulfilling similar functions
compartment syndrome
Swelling/bleeding in a muscular compartment
Increased compartmental pressure
Ischaemia of muscles and nerves
Tissue necrosis
How is compartment syndrome relieved?
Urgent fasciotomy required to relieve the compartmental pressures and ‘save’ the muscle and nerve tissue
Fibroblast:
Chondrocyte:
Osteoblast:
Myofibroblast:
Adipocyte:
Fibroblast: secretes ECM for most tissues: collagen and elastin
Chondrocyte: secretes ECM for cartilage: collagen II
Osteoblast: secretes ECM of bone: collagen I
Myofibroblast: secrete ECM and have contractile function
Adipocyte: storage and metabolism of fat
Connective tissue makeup
Characterised by abundance of extracellular matrix (ECM, 95%) with few cells (5%) when mature
Cells depend on function/location
ECM is composed of fibres (collagen and elastin) and ground substance
Cartilage cells and matrix
Specialised connective tissue with a support function (often the shock absorbers of the body, can be tough or flexible depending on composition of matrix)
Cells: chondrocytes
Matrix: Type II collagen and proteoglycans + others depending on type of cartilage
Cartilage cells
Embryonic mesenchymal cells (spindle) become clusters of chondroblasts (rounded)
Surrounded by a layer of perichondrium (mesenchyme derived fibroblastic cells and collagen)
Growth of cartilage is by interstitial (limited division of chondroblasts in ECM) and appositional growth (new chondroblasts from perichondrium).
After matrix deposition cells become less active and become maintaining cells (chondrocytes)
Cartilage ECM
ECM = 70% water + Collagen II + ground substance
Proteoglycan - numerous glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) attached to a core protein (bottle-brush structure- negatively charged chains)
Hyaluronic acid – also a GAG
Aggrecan – cartilage specific proteoglycan arrangement
Hydrophilic - provides compressive strength: flexible cushioned surface
Woven with collagen to form an elastic and compressible structure
Hyaline cartilage at joints
Resist compression: elasticity and stiffness of proteoglycans
Tensile strength: collagen and hydrogel ground substance
Limited repair and regeneration capacity
Most is avascular: nutrition is by diffusion-limits thickness
Articular surfaces of joints has no perichondrium-no source of new chondroblasts
Cartilage atrophy is reversible after immobilisation – no impact exercise - gradual
Bone matrix
Organic: osteoid
Collagen I (90% of organic matrix)
Non-collagenous proteins
Osteocalcin: binds calcium ( local conc.)
Osteonectin: binds calcium to collagen
Inorganic: calcium salt-hydroxyapatite:
66% of dry weight of bone
Calcium phosphate (with some carbonate and fluoride)
Deposited in collagen hole zones
Bone organisation
Periosteum
Fibrous CT layer limiting bone
Carries blood supply and osteoprogenitor cells
Not present at the joint ends of long bones
Endosteum
Lines the interior of bones
Dense outer shell: compact bone arranged in osteons (parallel to long axis)
Inner cancellous bone arranged in interconnecting trabeculae with spaces for bone marrow
2 Types of bone structure
Woven Bone: immature, haphazard fibre arrangement, mechanically weak – foetal development/fracture repair (rapid osteoid formation)
Lamellar Bone: remodelled woven bone –regular parallel collagen, strong: all adult bone
Bone cells
Derived from mesenchymal stem cells
Differentiate into osteoprogenitor cells or chondroblasts
Osteoprogenitor cells differentiate into osteoblasts (periosteum)
Specialises to become osteoblast (ECM & collagen I secretion)
Osteoblasts becomes osteocyte when surrounded by mineralised bone
Osteoclasts from monocyte-macrophage lineage
Osteoblasts
Bone building cell – lines bone surfaces
Cuboidal cell with numerous RER and Golgi
Secretes organic bone matrix - osteoid (collagen and non-collagenous proteins)
Mediates mineralisation of osteoid (deposition of inorganic salts into the osteoid)
Mineralisation of bone tissue
Osteoblasts secrete collagen and matrix vesicles
Matrix vesicles contain calcium phosphatase.
Calcium released from osteocalcin, which enters the vessel to produce hydroxyapatite crystals.
Canals connecting osteon channels
Haversian canal - middle of osteon channel
Volkmanns channel - connect haversian channels
Osteocytes
Mature osteoblasts - surrounded by mineralised matrix
Long cytoplasmic processes connecting to each other and osteoblasts (gap junctions)
In lacunae surrounded by extracellular bone fluid that allows nutrient diffusion through the bony channels (canaliculi)
Maintain matrix -no osteocytes: matrix is resorbed
Stress information: respond to tiny currents generated when bone is deformed
Mediates short term release of calcium from bone
Osteoclasts
Bone resorbing cell
Phagocytic cell from monocyte-macrophage cell line
Multinucleate mobile cell which attaches to bone surface and resorbs bone leaving a pit behind (Howships lacuna)
Work with osteoblast to regulate bone turnover and remodelling
Osteoclasts action
Actin clear zone and ruffled border
Mineral is dissolved by acids
lysosomal enzymes resorb organic matrix
Number and function affected by parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin
Oestrogen also reduces activity - menopause
Wolff’s Law
Bone is constantly remodelled through the coordinated actions of bone cells, to adjust to stresses and strains.
Affects density, orientation and responds to micro fractures and wear & tear
In adults bone turnover is slower than in children, but can increase due to:
Change in function (onset of walking)
New demands (running, tennis, jumping)
Repair of fractures
Disease (e.g. Paget’s disease)
Bone growth
In long bones: bone grows in length via the epiphyseal growth plate
This fuses in adulthood
Other bones grow by coordinated appositional growth at periosteum and resorption at inner surface (long bones gain in circumference by this method also)
Intramembranous bone development
Sheets of mesenchymal cells
Differentiation to osteoblasts in centres of ossification- these merge to form trabecular bone that is remodelled (bone template)
Remaining mesenchyme makes bone marrow and periosteum
Flat bones of skull, maxilla and mandible
In the adult to increase the width of long bones
Endochondral bone development
Cartilage template
Blood supply to shaft of bone causes osteoblast differentiation: primary centre of ossification
At birth blood supply to the epiphyses instigate secondary centres of ossification
Cartilage growth plate remains to allow the bone to lengthen
Long bones
Growth plate of bone development
Epiphyseal end: Proliferation
Diaphyseal end: chondrocytes mature and die and are replaced by bone
What is autoimmunity?
Loss of self-tolerance and the production of antibodies (typically) against self proteins within cells or tissues which results in a hypersensitivity reaction or autoimmune disease.
How does self tolerance come about?
During lymphocyte maturation, clonal selection/de-selection prevents production of cells that recognise self-proteins and these are eliminated via apoptosis.
Remaining circulatory pool of mature B and T cells are non-responsive, that is tolerant to the normal components of the body.
But deselection not 100% effective, everyone has potentially autoreactive cells.
Peripheral tolerance
Can encounter antigens that are not exposed to lymphocytes or are present at such low amounts that they do not activate lymphocytes.
Peripheral tolerance can arise from lack of co-stimulatory signals to autoreactive cells.
Peripheral tolerance can arise from inhibition of autoreactive T-cells by Treg cells.
Autoimmune classifactions
antibodies to specific proteins (autoantibodies) (Type II).
formation of soluble immune complexes (Type III).
activation of T-cells (Type IV).
Organ specific autoimmune diseases and antigens examples
Graves disease - thyroid stimulating hormone receptor
Type I diabetes - islet cells
systemic autoimmune diseases and antigens examples
RA - IgG
Lupus - ds DNA
Examples of Type II autoimmune diseases
haemolytic anaemia - Rh blood antigen
pempigus vulgaris - epidermal cadherin
Examples of Type III autoimmune diseases
RA - Rh factor IgG complexes
Lupus - DNA
Examples of Type IV autoimmune diseases
RA
Type I diabetes
Autoimmune susceptibility: genetic influences
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) houses a super locus with contains many genes that reside together on chromosome 6.
Allelic variation within these genes is linked to risk of autoimmune disease.
Rheumatoid Arthritis pathophysiology
abnormally produced antibody generally of IgM class specific for the Fc region of IgG. IgM RF can indicate poor prognosis if at high titre.
Termed rheumatoid factor present in ~85% of RA patients so reasonably sensitive marker but also detected in other autoimmune diseases such as SLE.
Anti-citrullinated protein antigen (ACPA) antibodies present in ~85% of RA patients so quite sensitive for RA and not often observed in other diseases.
Citrulline formed from de-imination of arginine residues in proteins
Citrullinted proteins detected in synovial membranes of affected joints in RA.
ACPA prognostic for more aggressive version of RA.
Presence of ACPA in undifferentiated arthritis indicates probably progression to RA.
Risk factors for RA
Shared HLA epitopes - favours autoantigenic presentation
PTPN22 - less clonal deletion
Smoking - induces citrullination of lung proteins
Other information that can differentiate between inflammatory (RA) andnon-inflammatory (osteo)arthritis ?
Extra-articular features
Synovialfluid examination
ESR, CRP
Inflammatory joint features of RA
Morning stiffness (longer than 30 minutes)
Joint swelling
Symmetry
No DIP joints involvement
Deformed joints (if untreated,long-standing disease)
Visual signs of rheumatoid arthritis
Metacarpophalangeal joint, proximal interphalangeal joint inflammation
symmetrical
30 minutes of pain in the morning but gets better as day goes on
Boutonniere deformity of the thumb (bent upwards)
Ulnar deviation at MCP
Swan necking of the fingers
Hammer toe
What can form within a joint after a period of RA
Pannus - a type of extra growth in your joints that can cause pain, swelling, and damage to your bones, cartilage, and other tissue.
Investigations of RA
Regular blood tests: FBC, U&E, LFT, ESR, CRP
Immunological : RF, Anti CCP
Blood tests to exclude other diseases
Radiology
Radiographic features of RA
Peri-articular osteopenia
Bony erosions
Joint space narrowing
Joint subluxations
Features of RA associated with poor prognosis
Presence of (and titre) of rheumatoid factor
Presence of (and titre) of anti-CCP antibodies
Presence of erosive disease at presentation
Disease activity at presentation
Number of swollen joints
Levels of acute phase reactants (CRP/ESR)
Presence of extra-articular features
nodules
vasculitis
Treatment of RA
NSAIDsNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Over-the-counterNSAIDsinclude ibuprofenand naproxen
SteroidsCorticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, depomedrone
ConventionalDMARDs (Disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs) These drugs can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and save the joints and other tissues from permanent damage. CommonDMARDsinclude methotrexate leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine
Biologic DMARDs (biology therapy)Various classes
Timeline of RA treatment
Early initiation of DMARD and escalation of treatment reduces risk of disease progression and co-morbidities
UK, WHO, UK EQUALITY ACT 2010 definition of long-term illness
Long-term conditions or chronic diseases are conditions for which there is currently no cure, and which are managed with drugs and other treatment, for example: diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis and hypertension.
Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations
a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.
Substantial = impacts daily tasks
Long-term = 12 months or more
International Classification of Functioning, Disability & Health
Principles:
universality – applicable to all irrespective of health condition or physical, social and cultural context
parity and aetiological neutrality – focuses on functioning, does not distinguish between ‘mental’ and ‘physical
neutrality – captures positive & negative aspects of disability
recognises environmental influence (e.g. climate, building design, attitudes, laws) as ‘an essential aspect of the scientific understanding of functioning and disability’
Dimensions:
(i) body functions and structures e.g. mobility at purely bodily level – can’t raise arm above head
(ii) activities (individual level) e.g. mobility at home – needs stairlift to access bedroom
(iii) participation (social level) e.g. mobility in performing social role – unable to walk unaided to work a mile away
(iv) environmental factors (whether as facilitators or barriers) e.g. mobility in wider social context – bus route to work exists but this bus doesn’t have wheelchair access
QALYs and DALYs
QALYs are years of healthy life lived; DALYs are years of healthy life lost
Kubler-Ross’s five stages of grief
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
Shontz adjustment theory
Shock
Realisation
Defensive retreat
Acknowledgment
Adjustment
Transactional model of stress & coping (Lazarus & Folkman)
Primary appraisal – benign or stressful
Secondary appraisal – challenge or threat
Coping – emotion based vs. problem based
Moo’ and Schafer’s crisis model
Desire of psychological homeostasis
Seven challenges
Coping shaped by: event-related factors, environmental factors, personal factors, and cognitive & coping styles
Frank’s 3 types of illness narratives
Restitution narrative
Chaos narrative
Quest Narrative
Social model of disability
Social model of disability
Impairment vs disability
Impairment = physical and/or cognitive limitation a person has
e.g. the inability to walk because of a spinal cord injury
Disability = the barriers to living a full life a person with an impairment experiences b/c of the way society is organised
e.g. Cannot eat out because restaurants are not wheelchair accessible
Vertebral Column levels
7 cervical vertebrae
12 thoracic vertebrae
5 lumbar vertebrae
5 fused sacral vertebrae
3-4 fused coccygeal vertebrae
A Typical Vertebra
Body
Pedicles
Vertebral (neural) Arch
Transverse processes
Laminae
Spinous process
Superior and inferior articular facets
Intervertebral notch*
Spinal canal
Typical Cervical Vertebrae
Saddle-shaped body
Uncinate process
Transverse foramina
Triangular spinal canal
Bifid spinous process
Parallel articular facets (cup-shaped or planar)
Atypical Cervical Vertebrae: C1
No vertebral body or spinous process
Kidney shaped articular facets
Anterior and posterior arch and tubercues
Atypical Cervical Vertebrae: C2
Dens/Odontoid process
Facies articularis posterior - attaches transverse ligament
Facies articularis anterior - articulates with C1
Atypical Cervical Vertebrae: C7
Long spinous process - vertebral prominens
attaches ligmentum nuchae
Typical Thoracic Vertebrae
Heart-shaped body
Demifacets for ribs
Round spinal canal
Long spinous process
Articulating facets on transverse processes
Planar articular facets
Superior: face posteriorly
Inferior: face anteriorly
Atypical Thoracic Vertebrae: T1, T10 - T12
T1 - complete superior costal facet
T10 - complete superior costal facet
T11 - No transverse articular facet
T12- Lumbar like pattern of inferior facet
Lumbar Vertebrae
Large vertebral body
Very small arch
Blunt, hatchet-shaped spinous process
Comparatively small transverse processes
Articular facets
Superior: face posteromedially, have mammillary bodies
Inferior: face anterolaterally
Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae
Lumbarisation of S1
Sacralisation of L5
Vertebral Column: Curvatures
Cervical Lordosis
Thoracic Kyphosis
Lumbar Lordosis
What is between adjacent vertebral bodies
Intervertebral (IV) discs
IV Disk
Inner nucleus polposus
Outer annulus fibrosis
IV discs degeneration with age
The nucleus pulposus gradually becomes less hydrated and increasingly fibrous with age
The discs become stiffer and more liable to injury
Joints of the vertebral bodies: Ligaments
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
Posterior longitudinal Ligament
In which direction to slipped discs protrude
Lateral to posterior longitudinal ligament
Towards rami
Joints between inferior and superior articular facets
Zygapophyseal joints
Joints of the vertebral arches: Accessory ligaments
Ligamentum Flavum - connects adjacent lamina
Interspinous Ligament - between spinous processes
Supraspinous Ligament - connects tips of the spinous processes
Intertransverse Ligament - connects transverse processes
Ligamentum Nuchae - occipital to cervical
Atlanto-occipital joint
superior facet of the atlas - condyloid joint - condoyle of occiput
Atlanto-axial joint
1 median joint - pivot - anterior arch of the atlas and the Dens
2 lateral joints - plane/gliding - Z joint
Ligaments of the occipito-atlantoaxial region
Nuchal ligament
Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane - continuation of the flavum
Cruciate ligament of the dens - body of axis -> clivus
Alar ligaments of the dens - oblique direction dens -> clivus
Apical odontoid ligament - dens -> clivus
Tectorial membrane - continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament
Muscles of the Back
(Extrinisic -> intrinsic)
Trapezius
Latissimus dorsi
Levator scapulae
Rhomboid minor
Rhomboid major
Serratus posterior superior
Serratus posterior inferior
Splenius capitis
Splenius cervicis
Erector Spinae group - Iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis
Transversospinalis group - rotatores, semispinalis, multifidus.
Postural muscles
Psoas major – attaches to all the lumbar vertebrae and discs
It is a primary hip flexor but also helps to stabilize the spine
Quadratus lumborum – attaches to the lumbar vertebrae and pelvis and helps to maintain posture
The muscles of the back consist of:
Extrinsic back muscles – superficial and intermediate muscles, innervated by anterior rami of spinal nerves
Intrinsic (‘true’) back muscles – deep muscles, innervated by posterior rami of spinal nerves
Extrinsic muscles are responsible for producing movements of the ribs and upper limbs
Intrinsic muscles maintain posture and move the vertebral column (and head)
Gross spinal movements are a result of the sum of many small movements occurring at each vertebral level
Spinal cord origin and terminus
Spinal cord continuous cranially with the medulla oblongata and terminates caudally as the conus medullaris around L1/L2 vertebral level
Spinal nerve rootlets and roots
Ventral (anterior) rootlets and ventral root contain axons of somatic motor neurons and sympathetic neurons (for T1 – L1/L2 spinal nerves)
Dorsal (posterior) rootlets and dorsal root contain the central processes of pseudo-unipolar somatic sensory neurons and visceral afferent (sensory) neurons
Neuronal cell bodies in dorsal root ganglion
Ventral and dorsal roots join to form a spinal nerve
diseases that can affect the intervertebral foramen
Some disease processes that can affect this opening and compress the spinal nerve:
Osteoarthritis
Injury affecting the facet joints or the pedicles
Intervertebral disc herniation
Vertebral body fracture/dislocation
Injury to spinal ligaments
Ventral and dorsal rami
Ventral rami
Larger, supply the limbs and the anterolateral aspects of the trunk
Unite to form major nerve plexuses, e.g. the brachial plexus
Dorsal rami
Smaller and supply intrinsic back muscles, facet joints and a narrow strip of skin on the back
Cauda equina
Made up of spinal nerve rootlets from L3 – Co segments of the spinal cord
Innervate lower limbs + pelvic region
Rootlets of the sacral spinal nerves (S1-5) exit the spinal cord at vertebral level T12/L1 – the sacral spinal cord
These rootlets then run all the way down in the vertebral canal to exit the IV foramina of the sacrum
The actual spinal nerves for these rootlets are formed just prior to entering the intervertebral foramen
Cauda equina syndrome (spinal stenosis)
Sciatica
Loss of bladder and bowel control
Flaccid paralysis of the lower limbs
‘Saddle area’ (perineal) sensory loss
Spinal cord meninges - coverings
Dura mater
Extends from the foramen magnum to the coccyx
Continuous with cranial dura (around the brain)
Merges with epineurium of spinal nerves
Arachnoid mater
Surrounds the brain and extends down to S2 vertebral level
Has fine strands of connective tissue crossing subarachnoid space - trabeculae
Pia mater
Firmly adhered to the brain and spinal cord
Forms flat denticulate ligaments
Continuous with filum terminale
Spinal cord meninges - spaces
Epidural space (extradural space)
Between the dura mater and the vertebral column
Contains fat (adipose) and internal vertebral venous plexus
Local anaesthetics can be injected into this space
Subdural space
Potential space between dura and arachnoid mater
Only obvious when it fills with blood, CSF or pus
Subarachnoid space
Between arachnoid and pia mater
Extends further (S2) than the spinal cord (L1/2)
Contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and vessels
Local anaesthetics can be injected into this space
CSF can be drawn from this space: lumbar puncture
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) procedure
Needle inserted in adults between L3/L4 vertebrae or L4/L5 vertebrae
Avoids spinal cord (L1/L2 vertebral level)
Different in children: between L4/L5 recommended as spinal cord may extend more inferiorly e.g. L3 vertebral level
Contraindications
Raised intracranial pressure, local skin infections, coagulopathy
What happens to the spinal meninges when spinal nerves merge off
The dura mater of the spinal cord covers the rootlets and merges with the epineurium.
The arachnoid mater and pia mater merge with the perineurium of the spinal nerve, sealing the subarachnoid space
The spinal cord and its roots and nerves are supplied with blood via:
Longitudinal branches from the vertebral arteries
One anterior spinal artery
Two posterior spinal arteries
Segmental arteries – help to provide additional blood to supplement the anterior + posterior spinal arteries
Segmental arteries
Vertebral and deep cervical arteries (cervical region)
Intercostal arteries (thoracic region)
Lumbar arteries (lumbar region)
The largest segmental artery is the great radicular artery (artery of Adamkiewicz): reinforces blood supply to lower spinal cord
How do segmental arteries join the longitudinal arteries?
Segmental arteries enter the vertebral canal through the intervertebral foramina and anastomose with branches of the longitudinal spinal arteries to form a pial plexus
What supplies each section of the spinal cord
Anterior spinal artery = anterior 2/3rds of thespinal cord
Posterior spinal artery supplies the posterior 1/3rd of the spinal cord
Spinal cord: venous drainage
Veins from within the spinal cord drain into the venous plexus of the pia mater
The veins of the internal vertebral venous plexus (Batson’s plexus) lie in the epidural space
Veins draining the spinal cord and vertebral column eventually drain into the major veins of the body:
Azygos
Hemiazygos
Right highest intercostal veins
And eventually into the Superior vena cava (and back to the heart)
Internal vertebral plexus veins are valveless
Drainage flow dependent on posture and respiration
What about venous drainage of the spinal cord is problematic?
This venous plexus is continuous with the veins draining the prostate
prostate cancer may metastasise via the internal vertebral venous plexus to the CNS
Structure of a spinal nerve layers
epineurium: dense layer of fibrous tissue; external coat of nerve
perineurium: several layers of flattened cells separated by layers of collagen, surrounding a bundle (fascicle) of nerve fibres. Cells that form the inner surface are joined by tight junctions
endoneurium: thin layer of tissue surrounding individual axons and myelin sheath
Characteristics of muscle types
Skeletal muscle:
striated
capable of rapid, strong contractions
attached to the skeleton (hence its name), so it moves bones
under voluntary nervous control (usually)
multi-unit muscle (see later)
Cardiac muscle, confined to the heart:
striated
contracts rhythmically
involuntary, innervated by autonomic neurones
single-unit muscle (functional syncytium)
Non-striated or smooth muscle:
so-called because no striations visible
contracts in a slow and sustained manner
involuntary, innervated by autonomic neurones
can be single-unit OR multi-unit, depending on location or circumstances
Skeletal muscle organization
Myofibers (muscle cells) - formed from myofibrils
Elongate cells
Arranged parallel to one another and bundled by connective tissue into fascicles
Sarcolemma – cell membrane
Striated (banded)
myofibrils
Myofibrils: long bundles of protein
Made up of thick (myosin) and thin (actin) protein filaments
Myofilaments arranged in sarcomeres
Repeated units i.e. a polymer
From one Z-disc to the next, thick filaments are at center, thin filaments at either end attached to the Z-discs
I-band near either end – only thin myofilaments
A-band at midsection – thick filaments
H-zone at center – only thick filaments (no overlap with thin)
Two types of muscle fibre arrangments
Parellel-fibred muscles have longer fibres (more sarcomeres in series) than pennate-fibred muscles, thus they are capable of a greater shortening velocity
Pennate-fibres muscles have more fibres but of shorter length. Hence pennate muscles are stronger but slower contracting than parallel-fibred muscles
Motor units
an alpha motor neurone in the spinal cord and all of the muscle fibres it innervates
Muscles; HENNEMAN’S SIZE PRINCIPLE:
SMALLEST MOTOR UNITS RECRUITED FIRST
Types of Skeletal Muscle Fibres
Type I (slow twitch, red) fibers
Slow contraction speeds
Adapted for aerobic respiration
Large blood supply
High myoglobin content (O2 storing pigment)
High mitochondrial densities
Type II (fast twitch, white) fibers
Fast contraction speeds
Adapted for anaerobic respiration (fermentation)
Less blood, myoglobin, and mitochondria
High content of glycogen and glycolytic enzymes
- Two types
Fast glycolytic fibers (rely mainly on glycolysis)
Fast oxidative fibers (more capacity for aerobic respiration)
Nerve endings are referred to as sensory receptors. Functionally, there are 3 types of receptors:
Interoceptors. Occur in viscera and respond principally to mechanical and chemical stimuli
Exteroceptors. Lie superficially in the skin and respond to different sensory modalities i.e. painful, temperature and touch stimuli,
Proprioceptors. Occur in muscles, joints, and tendons and provide awareness of posture and movement (kinaesthesia)
Structurally, Sensory receptors may be:
Encapsulated – surrounded by a structural specialisation of non-neural tissue (often called a corpuscle)
Unencapsulated – terminal branch of sensory nerve fibre lying freely in the innervated tissue