Spine

Question 1

The ligamentum flava are ______ to the spinal cord.

Answer 1

Posterior

Question 2

The ____ _____ is superficial to the spinal cord

Answer 2

dura mater

Question 3

The arachnoid mater is ____ to the spinal cord and ____ to the dura mater

Answer 3

superficial, deep

Question 4

The ______ ________ is at the inferior end of the spinal cord.

Answer 4

conus medullaris

Question 5

The ______ _______ ______ is central within the cauda equina.

Answer 5

filum terminale internum

Question 6

The _____ ______ is between the anterior and posterior roots.

Answer 6

denticulate ligament

Question 7

What are the functions of the spinous and transverse processes of vertebrae?

Answer 7

Muscle attachment and movement.

Question 8

What is the function of the articular processes of vertebrae?

Answer 8

Restriction of movement.

Question 9

What is the function of the vertebral arch?

Answer 9

Protection of spinal cord.

Question 10

What makes up the vertebral arch?

Answer 10

The pedicles and lamina.

Question 11

What is the function of the vertebral body?

Answer 11

Support body weight.

Question 12

What forms the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 12

The superior and inferior notches of stacked vertebrae.

Question 13

Describe the changes in vertebrae with advancing age.

Answer 13

Decreased bone density, articular surfaces bow inward, compression at periphery, and forming of osteophytes.

Question 14

Which regions of the spine are considered kyphotic?

Answer 14

Thoracic and sacral.

Question 15

What regions of the spine are considered lordotic?

Answer 15

Cervical and lumbar.

Question 16

What are the primary curvatures present at birth?

Answer 16

Kyphosis of thoracic and sacral.

Question 17

What are the secondary curvatures?

Answer 17

Cervical and lumbar curvatures.

Cervical lordosis when infant begins to support head.
Lumbar lordosis when toddler begins to walk and support own body weight.

Question 18

What is scoliosis?

Answer 18

Lateral deviation of vertebral column.

Question 19

Where do you usually see excessive kyphosis?

Answer 19

Thoracic spine

Question 20

Where do you usually see excessive lordosis and in what populations?

Answer 20

Lumbar spine in pregnant women and athletes with long hip flexors (gymnasts, etc.)

Question 21

What accounts for 20-25% of vertebral column length?

Answer 21

Intervertebral discs.

Question 22

What are the two components of the intervertebral discs?

Answer 22

Anulus fibrosus (outer), and nucleus pulposus (middle)

Question 23

Describe posterolateral herniation of intervertebral disc.

Answer 23

When the nucleus pulposus extrudes out of anulus fibrosis, it could compress the spinal nerves that leave the vertebral canal at intervertebral foramina.

Question 24

What are the 6 ligaments of the spine?

Answer 24

Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
Supraspinous ligament
Interspinous ligaments
Ligamentum Flavum
Intertransverse ligaments

Question 25

What motions do the ligamentum flavum limit?

Answer 25

Abrupt flexion of vertebral column by resisting separation of vertebral lamina.

Question 26

What motion does the anterior longitudinal ligament limit?

Answer 26

Hyperextension of vertebral column (only one that limits extension)

Question 27

What motion does the posterior longitudinal ligament limit?

Answer 27

Hyperflexion and prevents the nucleus pulposus from extruding directly posterior into spinal cord.

Question 28

Where does the ligamentum nuchae attach?

Answer 28

From spinous process of C7 to external occipital protuberance with slips to intervening spinous processes

Question 29

What is the function of ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 29

Attachment of cervical muscles and separates R and L posterior neck.

Question 30

What are the 6 primary motions of the spine?

Answer 30

Extension, Flexion, Lateral flexion and extension, rotation of head and neck, and rotation of upper trunk.

Question 31

Which region of the spine does the least flexion and extension?

Answer 31

Thoracic.

Question 32

Which region of the spine does the most axial rotation?

Answer 32

Cervical

Question 33

Which region of the spine does the most lateral flexion?

Answer 33

Cervical

Question 34

Describe the meningeal covering of the spinal cord for superficial to deep.

Answer 34

Dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Question 35

What is spinal stenosis?

Answer 35

A reduction in space of the vertebral foramen. It can cause compression of one or more spinal roots occupying the vertebral canal.