Spinal Osteology

Question 1

Axial Skeleton

Answer 1

skull, vertebral column, ribs

Question 2

Appendicular Skeleton

Answer 2

scapula, clavicle, pelvic girdle, extremities

Question 3

Breakdown of the Spine

Answer 3

7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 (fused) sacrum, 4 (fused) coccyx

Question 4

Primary (1) Spinal Curves

Answer 4

kyphosis; thoracic and sacral

Question 5

Secondary (2) Spinal Curves

Answer 5

lordosis; cervical and lumbar

Question 6

What causes the spinal curves to form?

Answer 6

curves become more defined during standing and walking … the spine is pulled during these movements because of the muscles that attach to it

Question 7

Scoliosis

Answer 7

“side to side” spinal curvature
3 types: idiopathic adolescent, neuromuscular, congenital

Question 8

Vertebral Arch

Answer 8

all of the vertebrae except for the vertebral body

Question 9

C1 (atlas)

Answer 9

large vertebral foramen, transverse foramen, articular facet for articulation w/ dens

Question 10

Atlanto-occipital (OA) Joint

Answer 10

nod, “yes” motion

Question 11

Alar Ligament

Answer 11

v-shape connecting dens to occipital bone; restricts excessive rotation and lateral flexion of neck

Question 12

Cruciate Ligament

Answer 12

horizontal (occipital bone to C2) and vertical band (across C1); limits movement of dens

Question 13

C2 (axis)

Answer 13

odontoid process/dens

Question 14

Atlantoaxial (AA) Joint

Answer 14

“no” motion

Question 15

Features of Cervical Vertebrae

Answer 15

transverse foramen, uncinate processes on vertebral body, bifid spinous processes (C3-C6)

Question 16

Features of Thoracic Vertebrae

Answer 16

spinous process is longer and points down, costal facets (articulates w/ ribs)

Question 17

Features of Lumbar Vertebrae

Answer 17

large vertebral body, long spinous processes

Question 18

Zygapophysial Joint

Answer 18

synovial; formed by articulations b/w superior facet of one vertebrae and inferior facet of another

Question 19

Orientation of Zygapophysial Joints

Answer 19

cervical: slanted upward
thoracic: facing backward (upright)
lumbar: facing inward/towards each other

Question 20

Intervertebral Foramen

Answer 20

houses nerves

Question 21

Intervertebral Discs

Answer 21

cushion b/w vertebrae that acts as a shock absorber; inner, softer nucleus pulposus and outer, harder anulus fibrosus

Question 22

Herniated Intervertebral Discs

Answer 22

“slipped disc”; part of nucleus pulposus protrudes, hitting nerves and causing spinal/extremity pain, muscle weakness, and/or sensory changes

Question 23

Spinal Stenosis

Answer 23

narrowing of vertebral foramen, causing spinal cord compression; laminectomy can be used to widen foramen

Question 24

Spondylosis

Answer 24

degeneration, wear-and-tear of any part of the vertebrae

Question 25

Spondylolysis

Answer 25

a pars interarticularis fracture w/o separation; can be unilateral or bilateral

Question 26

Spondylolisthesis

Answer 26

a pars interarticularis fracture WITH separation, causing a shift or slippage; bilateral