spinal anatomy structures

Question 1

the lamina-pedicle junction has 2 other names depending on location, what are they?

Answer 1

articular pillar- cervicals

pars interarticularis- thoracic and lumbar

Question 2

what are the 4 ANTERIOR boundaries of the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 2

1 & 2 vertebral bodies (of vertebral couple/zygapophysis)
3 intervertebral disc
4 PLL

Question 3

what are the 4 POSTERIOR boundaries of the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 3

1 postzygapophysis of above vertebra
2 prezygapophysis of vertebra below
3 capsular ligament
4 ligamentum flavum

Question 4

what is the SUPERIOR boundary of the IVF?

Answer 4

inferior vertebral notch (vertebra above)

Question 5

what is the INFERIOR boundary of the IVF?

Answer 5

superior vertebral notch (vertebra below)

Question 6

what is the name given to any blood vessel supplying a vertebral segment?

Answer 6

segmental artery

Question 7

which vertebral segment has the greatest arterial supply with median sacral, lateral sacral and iliolumbar arteries?

Answer 7

L5

Question 8

where does the anterior spinal artery arise from?

Answer 8

vertebral artery

Question 9

where does the posterior spinal artery arise from?

Answer 9

posterior inferior cerebellar artery

Question 10

the subclavian artery is a branch off what artery?

Answer 10

vertebral artery

Question 11

medullary (feeder) arteries arise from the spinal artery in the epidural space but penetrate where and do what?

Answer 11

they penetrate the subarachnoid space and accompany their respective nerve root

Question 12

the anterior and posterior spinal arteries are not single continuous vessels but a result of a series of united branches derived from?

Answer 12

anterior and posterior medullary (feeder) arteries

Question 13

the PLL and ligamentum flavum as well as the hoffman ligaments are contained in which space?

Answer 13

epidural space

Question 14

what is the subdural (potential space) space filled with?

Answer 14

serous fluid

Question 15

what fills the subarachnoid space?

Answer 15

CSF

Question 16

which ligament is found in the subarachnoid space?

Answer 16

dentate ligament

Question 17

where is the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord found?

Answer 17

C3-T1

Question 18

where is the greatest transverse diameter of the spinal cord?

Answer 18

C6

Question 19

where is the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord found?

Answer 19

T9-T12

Question 20

what is the lumbar enlargement a location for?

Answer 20

spinal nerves L1-S3

Question 21

neural tissue of the spinal cord terminates where?

Answer 21

L1 (rarely L2)

Question 22

where is the dural cul de sac located?

Answer 22

S2

Question 23

what is the elevated hook off the superior epiphyseal rim of the cervicals called? what forms between?

Answer 23

uncinate process; anterior and posterior groove

Question 24

what is the inferior epiphyseal rim projections of the cervicals called?

Answer 24

anterior and posterior lip

Question 25

what is the homolog of lateral mass in cervicals?

Answer 25

articular pillar

Question 26

ponticulus posticus has been identified as a source of compression of?

Answer 26

vertebral artery- migraines, epilepsy and ponticulus posticus presence correlation has been found

Question 27

what is defined as dense connective tissue attaching the spinal dura to osseous or ligamentous material around the vertebral foramen?

Answer 27

Hoffman's ligaments

Question 28

what condition is a defect in the pars interarticularis, typically separating the inferior articular process, lamina, and spinous process from rest of vertebra?

Answer 28

spondylolysis

Question 29

what gender bias and segment is most common in cervical spondylolysis?

Answer 29

males and C6

Question 30

what is the x-ray appearance of someone with lumbar spondylolysis?

Answer 30

collared scotty dog

Question 31

bilateral spondylolysis can generate enough instability that vertebral body is displaced forward, what is this called?

Answer 31

spondylolisthesis- anterior slippage posterior= retrospondylolisthesis

Question 32

which artery is the principal supply of the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord?

Answer 32

artery of Adamkiewicz- is an anterior medullary feeder artery on the left side at T9/10

Question 33

uncinate process-lateral groove aka

Answer 33

joint of luschka

Question 34

what are the 3 zones of the intervertebral disc?

Answer 34

central- nucleus pulposus peripheral- annulus fibrosus horizontal- cartilaginous end plate

Question 35

what is the remnant of the embryonic epiphyseal plate?

Answer 35

cartilaginous end plate

Question 36

what fibers are found in the cartilaginous end plate?

Answer 36

type II collagen fibers

Question 37

what condition is known as hyperostosis (calcification) of vertebral body from ossification of ALL via accessory bone growth?

Answer 37

forestiers/ DISH

Question 38

what ligament forms the anterior boundary of the spinal canal?

Answer 38

PLL

Question 39

the ligamentum flavum attaches lamina beginning at what vertebral couple and ending what vertebral couple?

Answer 39

C2/C3 and L5/S1

Question 40

which ligament forms the posterior wall of the spinal canal?

Answer 40

ligamentum flavum

Question 41

what is the only ligament of the vertebral column to maintain its elastic fiber content?

Answer 41

ligamentum flavum

Question 42

what is the function of the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 42

brake flexion along column and aid in extension

Question 43

articular processes of a vertebral couple are attached by which ligament?

Answer 43

capsular ligament

Question 44

which ligament lies btw spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae?

Answer 44

interspinous ligament

Question 45

fibers of the interspinous ligament blend with ______ ventrally and _______ dorsally?

Answer 45

ligamentum flavum; ligamentum nuchae/supraspinous

Question 46

which ligament extends from the EOP to C7 and assists in limiting flexion of cervical spine?

Answer 46

ligamentum nuchae

Question 47

which ligament is a continuation of ligamentum nuchae beginning at C7 and ending at L4?

Answer 47

supraspinous ligament