Spine Flashcards
The ligamentum flava are ______ to the spinal cord.
Posterior
The ____ _____ is superficial to the spinal cord
dura mater
The arachnoid mater is ____ to the spinal cord and ____ to the dura mater
superficial, deep
The ______ ________ is at the inferior end of the spinal cord.
conus medullaris
The ______ _______ ______ is central within the cauda equina.
filum terminale internum
The _____ ______ is between the anterior and posterior roots.
denticulate ligament
What are the functions of the spinous and transverse processes of vertebrae?
Muscle attachment and movement.
What is the function of the articular processes of vertebrae?
Restriction of movement.
What is the function of the vertebral arch?
Protection of spinal cord.
What makes up the vertebral arch?
The pedicles and lamina.
What is the function of the vertebral body?
Support body weight.
What forms the intervertebral foramen?
The superior and inferior notches of stacked vertebrae.
Describe the changes in vertebrae with advancing age.
Decreased bone density, articular surfaces bow inward, compression at periphery, and forming of osteophytes.
Which regions of the spine are considered kyphotic?
Thoracic and sacral.
What regions of the spine are considered lordotic?
Cervical and lumbar.
What are the primary curvatures present at birth?
Kyphosis of thoracic and sacral.
What are the secondary curvatures?
Cervical and lumbar curvatures.
Cervical lordosis when infant begins to support head.
Lumbar lordosis when toddler begins to walk and support own body weight.
What is scoliosis?
Lateral deviation of vertebral column.
Where do you usually see excessive kyphosis?
Thoracic spine
Where do you usually see excessive lordosis and in what populations?
Lumbar spine in pregnant women and athletes with long hip flexors (gymnasts, etc.)
What accounts for 20-25% of vertebral column length?
Intervertebral discs.
What are the two components of the intervertebral discs?
Anulus fibrosus (outer), and nucleus pulposus (middle)
Describe posterolateral herniation of intervertebral disc.
When the nucleus pulposus extrudes out of anulus fibrosis, it could compress the spinal nerves that leave the vertebral canal at intervertebral foramina.
What are the 6 ligaments of the spine?
Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments Supraspinous ligament Interspinous ligaments Ligamentum Flavum Intertransverse ligaments
What motions do the ligamentum flavum limit?
Abrupt flexion of vertebral column by resisting separation of vertebral lamina.
What motion does the anterior longitudinal ligament limit?
Hyperextension of vertebral column (only one that limits extension)
What motion does the posterior longitudinal ligament limit?
Hyperflexion and prevents the nucleus pulposus from extruding directly posterior into spinal cord.
Where does the ligamentum nuchae attach?
From spinous process of C7 to external occipital protuberance with slips to intervening spinous processes
What is the function of ligamentum nuchae?
Attachment of cervical muscles and separates R and L posterior neck.
What are the 6 primary motions of the spine?
Extension, Flexion, Lateral flexion and extension, rotation of head and neck, and rotation of upper trunk.
Which region of the spine does the least flexion and extension?
Thoracic.
Which region of the spine does the most axial rotation?
Cervical
Which region of the spine does the most lateral flexion?
Cervical
Describe the meningeal covering of the spinal cord for superficial to deep.
Dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.
What is spinal stenosis?
A reduction in space of the vertebral foramen. It can cause compression of one or more spinal roots occupying the vertebral canal.
