Neurological systems 1 Flashcards
How many regions does the vertebral column have?
5
What are the regions of the vertebral column as you descend?
Cervical Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Coccygeal
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5
What are the different curvatures of the spine and when do they form?
Primary forms in the embryo
Secondary form as you grow
What are some reasons spinal curvatures may be exaggerated?
Arthritis
Pregnancy
Weight gain
What sits in between spinal vertebrae?
Intervertebral discs
Why are intervertebral discs useful?
They allow a certain degree of compression and allow some shock absorbtion
Are all vertebrae the same?
No they differ going down the spine depending on what region they come from, generally going down the vertebral bodies get larger, processes get larger and stick out more laterally, facets go form being horizontally placed to being more vertically placed
What is special about the first 2 vertebrae?
They have a unique anatomy and dont look like typical vertebrae
What is the name of C1?
Atlas
What is the name of C2?
Axis
What key feature is missing from the atlas? Where else is it represented
It is missing a vertebral body
Its vertebral body has detached and is represented by the odontoid process on the axis (C2)
What else is the odontoid process down as?
The dens
What unusual feature does C2 have?
A protrusion called the dens
What is the name of the joint between the occipital bone and the atlas?
Atlanto occipital joint
What is the name of the joint between C1 and C2?
The atlanto axial joint
What else is the atlanto occipital joint known as? Why?
The yes joint as its the joint that allows one to nod yes
What else is the atlanto axial joint known as? Why?
The no joint as its the joint that allows one to shake their head no
What ligaments do road traffic accidents often cause damage to?
The alar or cruciform ligament
What are the ligaments between spinous processes called?
Inter spinal ligaments
What is the supraspinous ligament?
A continuous thick ligament from the base of the skull to the coccyx
What do the ligamenta flava attach?
The lamina of vertebra to the lamina of the vertebra below it
What degree of movement to intervertebral discs have?
They have some degree of movement as they allow rotation of the body and allow us to bend down eg to touch our toes
What is found in the middle of intervertebral discs?
A jelly like nucleus
Where do nerves emerge?
The intervertebral foramen
What passes through the vertebral foramen?
The spinal chord
How many spinal nerves are there?
31
How many vertebrae are there?
30
How many sacral vertebrae are there?
5
How many coccygeal vertebrae are there?
1
Which nerves exit above their vertebrae?
C1-C7
Which nerves exit below their vertebrae?
C8- coccygeal
What are the 2 main enlargements and what level are they found at?
Cervical at C3-T1
Lumbar at L1-S2
Where does the spinal chord end?
L1-L2
What is the chorda equina?
The space below L1/L2 where the spine has technically ended by it is occupied by nerves
Are vertebral and spinal level the same?
No, there is discrepancy between where the intervertebral foramen that the nerve exits through and where the nerve actually is. When people have spinal chord injuries we therefore describe the injury at both the spinal and vertebral level
What axons does the posterior root contain?
Sensory
What axons does the anterior root contain?
Motor
What axons does the anterior ramus contain?
Both motor and sensory
What axons does the posterior ramus contain?
Both motor and sensory
What is the other name for rami?
Mixed roots
How many layers does the dura have? What are they called?
2 layers: periosteal and meningeal
What layers of the dura extend down the spinal cord?
Only the meningeal layer
How is the epidural space formed in the spinal chord?
As only the meningeal layer of the dura mater extends down the spinal chord not the periosteal layer
What can the subarachnoid space in the spinal cord be used for clinically?
For taking CSF samples and administering anaesthetics
What can the corda equina used for clinically?
It has a reserve of CSF where samples can be taken from, anaesthesia can also be administered here
When are anaesthetics administered into the corda equina?
In C section or hip replacement
What do anaesthetics administered into the corda equina numb?
The hip below
How do anaesthetics have different effects depending on where they are administered?
Epidural space: remains fairly local, affects the nerves and doesnt travel up the spine
Subarachnoid space: has an affect over the whole spine as it can travel in the CSF
What common condition do prolapsed vertebral discs cause? Why?
Sciatica, occurs when there is impingement of the sciatic nerve
What is spondylosis?
Degeneration of the vertebrae
What is spondylolysis?
Stress fracture of pars interarticularis- between superior and inferior articular facets, can result in slippage
What is spondylolisthesis?
Forward displacement of vertebra
What is spondylitis?
Inflammation of vertebrae
What ligament is often torn in whiplash injury?
Anterior longitudinal ligament
What factors affect spinal cord lesions?
Loss of neural tissue
Vertical level
Transverse plane (how many tracts are involved?)
How does vertical level effect the outcome of a spinal cord injury?
The higher up the lesion is the greater the level of disability
Where is the vertebral body on a vertebra?
On the anterior
Where is the neural arch on a vertebra?
Posterior
What is the gap in the vertebra called?
Vertebral foramen
What does the atlas have instead of a vertebral body?
An anterior arch
What is the anterior part of the atlas’ vertebral foramen occupied by?
The odontoid process
What is the posterior part of the atlas’ vertebral foramen occupied by?
The spinal cord
What is the body of the axis prolonged by?
The odontoid process
What is the role of the odontoid process?
It is the pivot around which the atlas rotates
What are 3 components of the cruciate ligament?
Transverse ligament, superior band and inferior band
What does the superior band of the cruciate ligament attach to?
From the odontoid process to the base of the occiput
What does the inferior band of the cruciate ligament attach to?
From the odontoid process to the body of the axis
What 2 ligaments are associated with the odontoid process?
The cruciate ligament
The alar ligaments
What do the alar ligaments attach to?
Either side of the odontoid process to the occipital bone
What is the role of the alar ligaments?
They limit rotation of the head especially in lateral flexion
What do the ligamenta flava connect?
Arches of the vertebrae
