Spinal cord Flashcards
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5
How many fused sacral vertebrae are there?
5
How many fused vertebrae is the coccyx formed from?
4
Describe the curvatures of the spine
cervical curvature
thoracic curvature
lumbar curvature
pelvic curvature
What are the two parts of a vertebral disc?
the nucleus pulposus
the annulus fibrosus
What is the annulus fibrosus attatched to?
the vertebral bodies
the posterior longitudinal ligament
At what vertebral level does the spinal cord taper off to form the conus medullaris?
L2`
At what vertebral level does the spinal cord terminate?
L2
In the distal part of the spinal canal, the meninges form a strand of fibrous tissue. What is this tissue called?
filum terminale
In the spinal canal, what separates the dura mater from the walls of the vertebral canal?
epidural space
Distal to the conus medullaris, the subarachnoid space expands to form the lumbar cistern. What is the clinical significance of the lumbar cistern?
The area accessed in a lumbar puncture
The cauda equina is a bundle of nerves formed from which nerve roots?
L2-S5
What is the name given to the bundle of nerves with nerve roots L2-S5?
cauda equina
Is the anterior nerve root motor or sensory?
motor
Is the posterior nerve root sensory or motor?
sensory
Spinal nerves leave the vertebral canal via which foramina?
the intervertebral foramina
After a spinal nerve exits the vertebral canal, what does it split into?
Anterior and posterior rami
What is the difference between anterior and posterior rami?
anterior rami- supplies fibres to parts of the body the posterior rami does not
posterior rami- nerve fibres to the synovial joints of the vertebral column, deep muscles of the back and overlying skin
Describe the arterial supply to the spinal cord
Anterior spinal artery
Two posterior spinal arteries
What two sections can we split the vertebrae into?
anterior vertebral body
posterior vertebral arch
What is the weight bearing part of the vertebrae?
the vertebral body
What are the superior and inferior aspects of the vertebral body lined by?
hyaline cartilage
What process is found posteriorly at the point of the vertebral arch?
spinous process
How many spinous processes does each verteba have?
1
How many transverse processes does each vertebra have?
2
What do the transverse processes articulate with in the thoracic vertebrae?
the ribs
What do the peduncles connect?
the vertebral body to the transverse processes
What do the lamina connect?
the transverse and spinous processes
Where are articular processes located in the vertebra?
At the intersection of the pedicle and the lamina
Which processes form joints between a vertabra and its superior and inferior vertebrae?
articular processes
What are the distinguishing features of the cervical vertebrae?
Bifid spinous processes (except C1 and C7) Transverse foramina (through which the vertebral arteries travel to the brain) Triangular vertebral foramnen
What shape is the vertebral foramen of the thoracic vertebrae ?
circular
What facets do throracic vertebrae have that articulate with the heads of two different ribs and are superiorly and inferiorly placed on the sides of the vertebral body?
demi facets
What special facet is found on the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae?
costal facets
What shape is the vertebral foramen of a lumbar vertebra?
triangular
What are the joints between articular facets called?
facet joints
Which ligament extends between the lamina of adjacent vertebrae?
the ligamentum flavum
What do interspinous ligaments join?
spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae
What does the supraspinous ligament join?
the tips of the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae
Which ligament extends between transverse processes?
intertransverse ligaments
What does the dorsal root of the spinal nerve carry?
sensory fibres
What does the ventral root carry?
motor fibres
