spinal anatomy structures Flashcards
the lamina-pedicle junction has 2 other names depending on location, what are they?
articular pillar- cervicals
pars interarticularis- thoracic and lumbar
what are the 4 ANTERIOR boundaries of the intervertebral foramen?
1 & 2 vertebral bodies (of vertebral couple/zygapophysis)
3 intervertebral disc
4 PLL
what are the 4 POSTERIOR boundaries of the intervertebral foramen?
1 postzygapophysis of above vertebra
2 prezygapophysis of vertebra below
3 capsular ligament
4 ligamentum flavum
what is the SUPERIOR boundary of the IVF?
inferior vertebral notch (vertebra above)
what is the INFERIOR boundary of the IVF?
superior vertebral notch (vertebra below)
what is the name given to any blood vessel supplying a vertebral segment?
segmental artery
which vertebral segment has the greatest arterial supply with median sacral, lateral sacral and iliolumbar arteries?
L5
where does the anterior spinal artery arise from?
vertebral artery
where does the posterior spinal artery arise from?
posterior inferior cerebellar artery
the subclavian artery is a branch off what artery?
vertebral artery
medullary (feeder) arteries arise from the spinal artery in the epidural space but penetrate where and do what?
they penetrate the subarachnoid space and accompany their respective nerve root
the anterior and posterior spinal arteries are not single continuous vessels but a result of a series of united branches derived from?
anterior and posterior medullary (feeder) arteries
the PLL and ligamentum flavum as well as the hoffman ligaments are contained in which space?
epidural space
what is the subdural (potential space) space filled with?
serous fluid
what fills the subarachnoid space?
CSF
which ligament is found in the subarachnoid space?
dentate ligament
where is the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord found?
C3-T1
where is the greatest transverse diameter of the spinal cord?
C6
where is the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord found?
T9-T12
what is the lumbar enlargement a location for?
spinal nerves L1-S3
neural tissue of the spinal cord terminates where?
L1 (rarely L2)
where is the dural cul de sac located?
S2
what is the elevated hook off the superior epiphyseal rim of the cervicals called? what forms between?
uncinate process; anterior and posterior groove
what is the inferior epiphyseal rim projections of the cervicals called?
anterior and posterior lip
what is the homolog of lateral mass in cervicals?
articular pillar
ponticulus posticus has been identified as a source of compression of?
vertebral artery- migraines, epilepsy and ponticulus posticus presence correlation has been found
what is defined as dense connective tissue attaching the spinal dura to osseous or ligamentous material around the vertebral foramen?
Hoffman’s ligaments
what condition is a defect in the pars interarticularis, typically separating the inferior articular process, lamina, and spinous process from rest of vertebra?
spondylolysis
what gender bias and segment is most common in cervical spondylolysis?
males and C6
what is the x-ray appearance of someone with lumbar spondylolysis?
collared scotty dog
bilateral spondylolysis can generate enough instability that vertebral body is displaced forward, what is this called?
spondylolisthesis- anterior slippage
posterior= retrospondylolisthesis
which artery is the principal supply of the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord?
artery of Adamkiewicz- is an anterior medullary feeder artery on the left side at T9/10
uncinate process-lateral groove aka
joint of luschka
what are the 3 zones of the intervertebral disc?
central- nucleus pulposus
peripheral- annulus fibrosus
horizontal- cartilaginous end plate
what is the remnant of the embryonic epiphyseal plate?
cartilaginous end plate
what fibers are found in the cartilaginous end plate?
type II collagen fibers
what condition is known as hyperostosis (calcification) of vertebral body from ossification of ALL via accessory bone growth?
forestiers/ DISH
what ligament forms the anterior boundary of the spinal canal?
PLL
the ligamentum flavum attaches lamina beginning at what vertebral couple and ending what vertebral couple?
C2/C3 and L5/S1
which ligament forms the posterior wall of the spinal canal?
ligamentum flavum
what is the only ligament of the vertebral column to maintain its elastic fiber content?
ligamentum flavum
what is the function of the ligamentum flavum?
brake flexion along column and aid in extension
articular processes of a vertebral couple are attached by which ligament?
capsular ligament
which ligament lies btw spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae?
interspinous ligament
fibers of the interspinous ligament blend with ______ ventrally and _______ dorsally?
ligamentum flavum; ligamentum nuchae/supraspinous
which ligament extends from the EOP to C7 and assists in limiting flexion of cervical spine?
ligamentum nuchae
which ligament is a continuation of ligamentum nuchae beginning at C7 and ending at L4?
supraspinous ligament
