O. Atypical Lumbar: L5

Question 1

What is the appearance of the 5th lumbar vertebral body from lateral view?

Answer 1

anterior height is greater than posterior height by several millimeters; it appears to form a wedge on a lateral X-ray view

Question 2

How many joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of the fifth lumbar?

Answer 2

six

Question 3

What joint classifications will be observed at the vertebral body of the fifth lumbar?

Answer 3

cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis and fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis

Question 4

What muscle(s) attach to the fifth lumbar vertebral body?

Answer 4

psoas major

Question 5

What is the name given to the ligaments that attach the vertebral body to articular process?

Answer 5

transforaminal ligaments

Question 6

What ligaments attach the vertebral to the transverse process?

Answer 6

corpotransverse ligaments

Question 7

What characteristic of the L1-L4 pedicle may be used to differentiate if from the L5 segment?

Answer 7

On cranial view, the lateral surface of the pedicle is apparent on a L1-L4 segment. At L5 the transverse process originates from the vertebral body, pedicle and lamina-pedicle region.

Question 8

What muscles may attach to the transverse process of the fifth thoracic vertebra?

Answer 8

psoas major, quadratus lumborum, longissimus thoracis, rotator brevis, rotator longus, and intertransverarii

Question 9

What ligaments traditionally attach to the transverse process of the fifth lumbar vertebra?

Answer 9

lumbosacral, iliolumbar and mammillo-accessory ligaments

Question 10

What is the reported angulation and X-ray appearance of the fifth lumbar articular facets?

Answer 10

they lie in the vertical plane and are coronal facets

Question 11

What is the orientation of the fifth lumbar superior articular facet?

Answer 11

backward, upward, medial (BUM); typically concave

Question 12

What is the orientation of the fifth lumbar inferior articular facet?

Answer 12

forward, lateral, downward (FoLD); significant convexity

Question 13

What is the name(s) of the condition in which the L5 spinous process increases in length due to the aging process?

Answer 13

Baastrup’s syndrome or “kissing spines”

Question 14

What is the Knife Clasp Syndrome?

Answer 14

the congenital condition in which the L5 spinous process is elongated, the sacrum exhibits spina bifida and dorsiflexion produces plain

Question 15

What muscles will attach to fifth lumbar spinous process?

Answer 15

latissimus dorsi, iliocostalis lumborum, longissimus thoracis, multifidis, rotator longus, rotator brevis, and interspinalis