Neck & Back: Joints & Ligaments

Question 1

a typical vertebra has 6 joints:

Answer 1

2 sup. and 2 inf. synovial joints
1 sup. and 1 inf. symphyses
each symphysis includes an intervertebral disc

Question 2

symphyses between vertebral bodies

Answer 2

formed by a layer of hyaline cartilage & intervertebral disc
- anulus fibrosus: concentric layers of collagen
- nucleus pulposus: gelatinous, shock absorber
A surrounds N

Question 3

synovial joints

Answer 3

between sup. & inf. articular processes on adjacent vertebrae: zygapophysial joints
cervical: joints slope inferiorly from anterior to posterior - flexion & extension
thoracic: joints oriented vertically - limits F & E but facilitates rotation
lumbar: joint surfaces are curved & adjacent processes interlock - limits range of movement, though flexion & extension are major movements

Question 4

occipitocervical joint

Answer 4

between skull (occipital condyles & C1)

Question 5

atlantoaxial joint

Answer 5

between C1 &C2
apical ligament
alar ligament
cruciate ligament: ascending, transverse, descending band

Question 6

function of ligaments of spine

Answer 6

passes between vertebral bodies & interconnect components of vertebral arches

Question 7

anterior & posterior longitudinal ligaments

Answer 7

on the ant. & post. surfaces of the vertebral bodies
extends along most of the vertebral column

Question 8

ligamenta flava

Answer 8

passes between the laminae of adjacent vertebrae

Question 9

supraspinous ligament

Answer 9

connects & passes along the tips of spinous processes of C7 to the sacrum
from C7 to the skull, the ligament becomes structurally distinct - the ligamentum nuchae

Question 10

ligamentum nuchae

Answer 10

triangular, sheet-like structure in the median sagittal plane:
the base of triangle is attached to the skull, from the external occipital protuberance to the foramen magnum
the apex is attached to the tip of the spinous process of C7

Question 11

interspinous ligaments

Answer 11

passes between adjacent vertebral spinous processes
attach from the base to the apex of each spinous process & blend with the supraspinous ligament posteriorly & the ligamenta flava anteriorly on each side

Question 12

transverse ligament

Answer 12

connects adjacent transverse processes

Question 13

limitations in movement

Answer 13

flexion limited by ligamentum flava, supraspinous ligaments, joint capsules of facet joints, interspinous ligaments
extension limited by anterior longitudinal ligament
lateral flexion limited by contralateral facet joint capsules, ligamentum flava, transverse ligaments
rotation limited by facet joint shapes & capsules