Spinal and epidural lecture Flashcards
Vertebrae by columns and number
C-7
T-12
L-5
S-5
C-4
33 total
C1 and C2
Allow for head rotation at the atlanto axial joint
Parts of the vertebrae
Vertebral body
Vertebral foramen
Lamina
Pedicles
Traverse process
Spinous process
Inferior articular process
Superior articular process
Differences in angles between thoracic and lumbar spinous process
Thoracic is aiming downwards- 40 degrees of spine
Lumbar is straight and flat- 90 degrees off spine
What are the purposes of the foramina and discs
Foramina- spinal nerves exit here
Disc- shock absorber
Landmarks of the spine
C7- vertebral prominens
T3- spine of scapula
T7- Inferior angle of Scapula
L1- 10th rib
L4/5- superior iliac crest (Intercristal line/ Tuffier’s line) (it is L5-S2 in infants)
S2- superior iliac spine
What do the ligaments do?
Stabilize vertebral column
Ligaments in the spine
Supraspinous- C7 to sacrum
Interspinous- between spinous processes
Ligamentum flavium - Trapezoid shaped elastin
Order of ligaments from out to inside
SILPA
SIL(epidural, duraPOP, subdural, arachnoid, subarachnoid, pia mater) PA
Epidural borders (cranial, caudal, anterior, lateral, posterior)
Cranial- Foramen magnum
Caudal- Sacrococcygeal ligament
Anterior- Posterior longitudinal ligament
Lateral- Vertebral pedicles
Posterior- Ligamentum flavium
What does the epidural space contain?
Nerve roots, fat pads, blood vessels (Batsons plexus, can become engorged in pregnant and obese and icnrease likelihood of needle injury)
3 meninges and purpose
DAP
Dura- Hardest and thickest collagen
Arachnoid- 2 portions, tightly connected
Pia- flat overlappping cells
Surround and protect spinal cord and CSF
CSF is made of ___ and we have ___
99% water
1% proteins, glucose, electrolytes, neurotransmitters
100-160ml in adults
What does the spinal space hold?
CSF, nerve roots, spinal cord
Spinal needles
Cutting tip- quincke
Pencil tip- sprotte/ whitaker/ pencan
Rounded tip- greene