Movement Lecture 6: Back pain

Question 1

How can you distinguish cervical vertebrae by looking at the spinous process?

Answer 1

Spinous processes are bifid

Question 2

Why are cervical vertebrae particularly susceptible to dislocation?

Answer 2

Very flat vertebral bodies

Question 3

Which cervical vertebrae have transverse foramina and which vessels pass through these?

Answer 3

C1-C6

Vertebral arteries and veins

Question 4

What is the name of the ligament attached to the atlas and what structure does it hold in place?

Answer 4

Transverse ligament of the atlas

Dens of the axis

Question 5

What is the dens of the axis also known as?

Answer 5

Odontoid process

Question 6

Why is the dens prone to fracture?

Answer 6

Relatively low density bone

Question 7

What is the name of a potential treatment for an axis fracture?

Answer 7

Atlantoaxial arthrodesis

Question 8

What type of vertebrae have the longest and most inferiorly pointing spinous processes?

Answer 8

Thoracic

Question 9

Which type of vertebrae have costal facets and demi facets, and where are they located?

Answer 9

Thoracic
Costal facets on transverse processes
Costal demifacts on superior and inferior edges of vertebral body

Question 10

Do ribs articulate with their corresponding superior or inferior demifacet?

Answer 10

Superior demifacet

Question 11

Do ribs correspond to the vertebra that is above or below where they articulate?

Answer 11

Below

Question 12

Do the articular facets of the thoracic vertebrae articulate in a posterior/anterior or a medial/lateral fashion?

Answer 12

Posterior/anterior

Question 13

Do the articular facets of the lumbar vertebrae articulate in a posterior/anterior or a medial/lateral fashion?

Answer 13

Medial/lateral

Question 14

What is the name for the joints between the articular facets of adjacent vertebrae?

Answer 14

Zygapophysial joints

Question 15

What is the fibrocartilage ring of the intervertebral discs called and what is its function?

Answer 15

Annulus fibrosis, limits axial rotation

Question 16

What is the annulus fibrosis and what is it made of?

Answer 16

Outer fibrocartilage ring of the intervertebral discs

Question 17

What is the centre of the intervertebral discs called?

Answer 17

Nucleus pulposus

Question 18

What is the function of the nucleus pulposus and what sort of substance is formed from?

Answer 18

Shock absorption

Gelatinous

Question 19

Are thicker intervertebral discs more or less flexible?

Answer 19

More flexible

Question 20

Is whiplash caused by hyperflexion or hyperextension of the cervical neck?

Answer 20

Hyperextension

Question 21

Which ligament is often torn during whiplash?

Answer 21

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 22

Are cervical and lumbar vertebrae lordosed or kyphosed?

Answer 22

Lordosed

Question 23

Are thoracic and sacral vertebrae lordosed or kyphosed?

Answer 23

Kyphosed

Question 24

Would someone with excessive lordosis or kyphosis be bent over forwards?

Answer 24

Kyphosis

Question 25

What is the name for assymetrical abnormal curvature of the spine?

Answer 25

Scoliosis

Question 26

What group of people are most susceptible to osteoperosis?

Answer 26

Postmenopausal women

Question 27

Are osteoperotic vertebrae concave or convex?

Answer 27

Concave

Question 28

What herniates in what is commonly known as a “slipped disk?”

Answer 28

Nucleus pulposus

Question 29

In which direction does a slipped disk normally occur?

Answer 29

Posterolateral

Question 30

Between which vertebrae does a slipped disk most commonly occur?

Answer 30

L4/L5 and L5/S1

Question 31

What is a complication of a severe slipped disk?

Answer 31

Cauda equina syndrome