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Spinal Anatomy > Spinal Cord > Flashcards

Spinal Cord Flashcards

1
Q

In horizontal view, what direction of the spinal cord tends to be largest?

A

Transverse

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2
Q

What are the spinal cord enlargement locations and the name given to each?

A 
C3-T1 = cervical enlargement
T9-T12 = lumbar (lumbosacral) enlargement
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3
Q

Where is the greatest transverse diameter of the spinal cord?

A

C6

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4
Q

In which plane (or direction) will the diameter of the spinal cord decrease from C2-T1?

A

Midsagittal or anterior-posterior plane

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5
Q

What is the generic cord level of origin - vertebral level combination of the lumbar (lumbosacral) enlargement?

A

L1, L2 cord levels in T9 vertebra
L3, L4 cord levels in T10 vertebra
L5, S1 cord levels in T11 vertebra
S2, S3 cord levels in T12 vertebra

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6
Q

What is the caudal end of the spinal cord called?

A

Conus medullaris

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7
Q

What spinal nerves originate from the conus medullaris?

A

Typically S4, S5, Co1

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8
Q

Which vertebral foramen will the conus medullaris typically be observed?

A

L1

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9
Q

What is the name given to the nerve roots below L1?

A

Cauda equina

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10
Q

What is the continuation of pia mater below the conus medullaris called?

A

Filum terminale internum

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11
Q

What is the location and name given to the area where all meninges first coverage at the caudal part of the vertebral column?

A

Typically S2 (dural cul de sac)

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12
Q

Neural tissue has been identified in what part of the filum terminale?

A

Proximal part of the filum terminale internum

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13
Q

What is the fate of the neural tissue identified along the filum terminale internum?

A

It joins peripheral nerve roots of spinal nerves as high as L3 and low as S4

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14
Q

What does the neural tissue associated with the filum terminale externum appear to innervate?

A

Lower limbs and the external anal sphincter

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15
Q

The last arterial vasa corona creates what feature on angiogram?

A

Cruciate anastomosis

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16
Q

What is the name given to the condensation of meninges below S2?

A

Filum terminale externum

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17
Q

What is the name given to the caudal attachment of the meninges?

A

Coccygeal medullary vestige

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18
Q

What is the name given to the condition in which the conus medullaris is located below L1 and the filum terminale is thickened?

A

Tethered cord syndrome

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19
Q

What is the relationship between scoliosis and tethered cord syndrome?

A

It is suggested that the column will change normal curvatures to mitigate damage to the spinal cord

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20
Q

What is the relationship between rib number and vertebral numbers at the costocentral joint?

A

Rib number always equates to same vertebral number at the costocentral joint rib 3 articulates with T3 segment and also with the T2 segment
Only Ribs 1, 11 and 12 typically joint with a single segment

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21
Q

What is the relationship between spinal nerve number, rib number and vertebral number in a thoracic intervertebral foramen?

A

The spinal nerve number relates to the upper segment number in the vertebral couple the rib number relates to the lower segment number in the vertebral couple

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22
Q

Which mammals have more than seven cervical vertebrae?

A

Ant bear

Three-toed sloth

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23
Q

Which mammals have less than seven cervical vertebrae?

A

Two-toed sloth

Manatee

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24
Q

Which vertebrae are typical cervical?

A

C3-C6

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25
Q

What is the appearance of the typical cervical vertebral body from the lateral view?

A

Posterior height is greater than anterior height by a few millimeters

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26
Q

What would be the direction of the cervical curve based on osseous features?

A

Posterior or kyphotic

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27
Q

What accounts for the direction of the typical cervical curve?

A

Intervertebral disc height

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28
Q

What is the direction of the typical cervical curve?

A

Anterior or lordotic

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29
Q

At which vertebral couple will the cervical curve again increase intervertebral disc height?

A

C5/C6

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30
Q

What is the effect of aging on the cervical vertebral body?

A

It diminishes the overall height of the vertebral body

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31
Q

What are the modifications of the superior epiphyseal rim of a typical cervical?

A

Anterior groove
Posterior groove
Right and left uncinate process

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32
Q

What are the names of lateral modification of the superior epiphyseal rim?

A

Uncinate process
Unciform process
Uncovertebral process
Uncus or lateral lip

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33
Q

At what developmental age will the uncinate process first be observed?

A

3rd-4th fetal month

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34
Q

What are the modifications of the inferior epiphyseal rim of a typical cervical?

A

Anterior lip
Posterior lip
Right and left lateral grooves

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35
Q

What is the joint classification for the anterior lip-posterior groove articulation?

A

Fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis

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36
Q

What is the joint classification for the uncinate process-lateral groove articulation?

A

Modified synovial saddle (diarthrosis sellar)

37
Q

What is the joint classification for the spongy bone-intervertebral disc articulation?

A

Cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis

38
Q

How many joint surfaces are present on the upper surface of a typical cervical vertebral body?

A

5

39
Q

How many joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of a typical cervical?

A

10

40
Q

What is the name given to the uncinate process-lateral groove articulation?

A

Joint of Luschka or uncovertebral joint

41
Q

The joint of Luschka is formed from what surface?

A

Uncinate process

Lateral groove

42
Q

What is the functional significance of the joint of Luschka?

A

Appears to stabilize the intervetral disc while accommodating flexion-extension and requiring coupled motion (axial rotation with lateral bending) in the cervical spine

43
Q

What muscle attaches to the typical cervical vertebral body?

A

Longus colli muscle

44
Q

What is the orientation and angulation of the pedicle of a typical cervical?

A

Posterolateral - 45 degrees

45
Q

At what location on the vertebral body of a typical cervical will the pedicle attach?

A

To the side and in the center of the vertebral body?

46
Q

What surface feature is located at the upper margin of the pedicle?

A

Superior vertebral notch

47
Q

What ligament attaches to the lamina of a typical cervical?

A

Ligamentum flavum

48
Q

What joint classification will be associated with the ligamentum flavum and its attachment?

A

Fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis

49
Q

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum at the attachment site on the lamina will result in what feature?

A

Para-articular processes

50
Q

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum at the attachment site on the lamina will be associated with which classification of bone?

A

Accessory bone

51
Q

What is the outline of the vertebral foramen of a typical cervical vertebra?

A

Heart-shaped or triangluar

52
Q

Which is the greatest diameter of the vertebral foramen of typical cervicals?

A

Transverse

53
Q

What soft tissue diameter mimics the outline of the typical cervical vertebral foramen?

A

Transverse diameter of the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord

54
Q

The greatest transverse diameter of the typical cervical vertebra occurs at?

A

C6

55
Q

The greatest frequency of osteophytes associated with the vertebral body occurs at which typical cervical vertebral couple?

A

C5/C6

56
Q

List, in order, the osseous parts of the typical cervical vertebra transverse process beginning at the vertebral body.

A 
Costal element
Anterior tubercle
Costotransverse bar
Posterior tubercle
True transverse process
57
Q

What muscles will attach to the anterior tubercle of a typical cervical vertebra?

A

Anterior scalene
Longus capitis
Longus colli
Anterior intertransversarii

58
Q

What muscles may attach to the posterior tubercle of a typical cervical vertebra?

A 
Splenius cervicis
Iliocostalis cervicis
Longissimus cervicis
Levator scapula
Middle scalene
Posterior scalene
Rotators
Posterior intertransversarii
59
Q

What muscles will attach to the costotransverse bar?

A

Middle scalene

Posterior intertransversarii

60
Q

What is the name given to the collective rib-forming region?

A

Pleurapophysis

61
Q

What is the name given to the superior margin of the costotransverse bar?

A

Sulcus for the ventral primary ramus of a cervical spinal nerve

62
Q

What is the orientation and angulation of a typical cervical transverse process?

A

60 degrees anterolaterally (from midsagittal plane)

15 degreed inferiorly (from the horizontal plane)

63
Q

What is the name given to the modification of the anterior tubercle of the C6 transverse process?

A

Carotid tubercle

64
Q

What will cause remodeling of the anterior tubercle at C6?

A

Common carotid artery

65
Q

What will occupy the typical cervical vertebra transverse foramen?

A

Vertebral artery
Vertebral venous plexus
Postganglionic sympathetic motor nerve fibers

66
Q

What is the name of the surface feature observed between the ends of the articular pillar?

A

Groove/sulcus for the dorsal primary ramus of a cervical spinal nerve

67
Q

What is the classic angulation of a typical cervical articular facet?

A

40-45 degrees from the coronal plane

68
Q

Recent work suggests what angulation for typical cervical articular facets?

A

55-60 degrees

69
Q

What is the orientation of the typical cervical superior articular facet?

A

Backward, upward, medial (BUM)

70
Q

What is the orientation of the typical cervical inferior articular facet?

A

Forward, lateral, downward (FoLD)

71
Q

What muscles will attach to typical cervical articular processes?

A 
Longissimus capitis
Longissimus cervicis
Semispinalis capitis
Semispinalis cervicis
Multifidis
Rotators
72
Q

What muscles blend with the capsular ligament of cervical zygapophyses?

A

Semispinalis capitis
Multifidis
Rotator longus

73
Q

The greatest range of flexion-extension among the typical cervical vertebrae occurs at which vertebral couple?

A

Typically C5/C6

74
Q

What motions are coupled in the cervical spine?

A

Lateral bending and axial rotation

75
Q

Ranges of coupled motion among the typical cervical vertebrae will be similar for what cervical vertebral couples?

A

C2/C3
C3/C4
C4/C5

76
Q

Ranges for coupled motion among the typical cervical vertebrae will begin to decrease at cervical vertebral couple?

A

C5/C6

77
Q

What is the usual condition for the Caucasian typical cervical spinous process?

A

They are bifid

78
Q

What is the usual condition for the African-American typical cervical spinous process?

A

They are not bifid

79
Q

What muscles may attach to the typical cervical spinous process?

A 
Spinalis cervicis
Semispinalis cervicis
Semispinalis thoracis
Multifidis
Rotators
Interspinalis
80
Q

What forms the unique anterior boundary of the intervertebral foramen for the C4 spinal nerve?

A

Lateral groove of C3

Uncinate process of C4 forming the joint of Luschka

81
Q

What will occupy the typical cervical vertebra transverse foramen?

A

Vertebral artery
Vertebral venous plexus
Postganglionic sympathetic motor nerve fibers

82
Q

What will influence spinal kinematics?

A

Geometry of articular facets
Mechanical properties of connective tissue
Mechanical properties of muscle

83
Q

What should be carefully considered when applying research results to a population?

A

Condition of the subject material (fresh cadaver, fixed cadaver, living subject)
Age range of the population studied
Method of measurement (X-ray, gonimeter, MRI, etc.)

84
Q

What will form the anterior boundary of a typical cervical intervertebral foramen?

A

Lateral groove & vertebral body of the segment above
Uncinate process & vertebral body of the segment below
Intervertebral disc & the posterior longitudinal ligmaent

85
Q

What will form the posterior boundary of a typical cervical intervertebral foramen?

A

Inferior articular process (post-zygapophysis)
Superior articular process (pre-zygapophysis)
Capsular ligament
Ligamentum flavum

86
Q

What will form the superior boundary of a typical cervical intervertebral foramen?

A

Inferior vertebral notch or inferior vertebral incisure

87
Q

What will form the inferior boundary of a typical cervical intervertebral foramen?

A

Superior vertebral notch or superior vertebral incisure

88
Q

What will form the unique anterior boundary of a typical cervical intervertebral foramen?

A

Uncinate process of the segment below & the lateral groove of the segment above to form the joint of Luschka

Spinal Anatomy (19 decks)

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