Spine Flashcards
What ligament is found between the base of the skull, C1, and C2?
Holds dens in place
Cruciate ligament
Which part of the cruciate ligament allows for side to side movement, indicative of ‘no’?
Transverse ligament
Which bands of the cruciate ligament pass from the transverse ligament to the occipital bone and to the body of C2?
Occipital- superior longitudinal band
Body of C2 - inferior longitudinal band
Which ligament attaches the dens to the skull and is found deep within the cruciate ligament?
Apical ligament
Which ligaments attaches laterally from dens to skull?
Alar ligaments
How many spinal ligaments are there?
5
Which spinal ligaments limits hyperextension?
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Supraspinous
Which spinal ligament is responsible for flexion and prevents hyperflexion?
Posterior longitudinal ligament
What acts as a recoil during flexion and also prevents hyperflexion?
Ligamentum flavum
The anulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc is made of?
Mesenchyme
Primary curvature (or flexion) is seen in which stage of development?
Fetal
Secondary curvatures that are resulted from extension and maintained by thickness between ant. and post. IV discs occurs when?
Head control - 1-2 months
Sitting up - 6 months
Walking - 12 months
Abnormal increase in thoracic curvature leading to posterior protrusion of vertebrae?
Kyphosis
Anterior tilting of the pelvis with increased inward curve of the spine?
Common in pregnant woman
Lordosis
Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine with rotation of vertebra?
Scoliosis
Where does the spinal cord taper?
Conus medularis
What is the sack of nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord?
Cauda equina
+1 rule in nerve compression from herniated discs
L4-L5 herniated disc —> L5 nerve compression
What are the segmented blood supply arteries from the vertebral artery?
Segmented medullary arteries anastomose with longitudinal arteries
Segmented radial branches that supply dorsal and ventral roots
Which is the largest segmental medullary artery and is imperative to the lower lumbar and sacral parts?
Artery of Adamkiewicz
What communicates with pelvic veins and allows for venous drainage of the spinal cord?
Internal vertebral venous (Batson’s) plexus
This is how pelvic tumors can metastasize
What surrounds the dura mater of the spinal meninges and contains nerve roots, loose fatty tissue, small arteries, and the internal vertebral venous plexus of Baston?
Epidural space
What contains the cauda equina, filum terminale, and CSF?
Dural sac/lumbar cisternae
Where does the spinal cord terminate in a newborn?
L3
Where does the spinal cord terminate in an adult?
L1
What separates the dorsal and ventral rootlets from each other and helps to hold the spinal cord in place?
Denticulate ligaments (made of pia mater)
Where is the best lumbar puncture site for children?
L4/L5
Where is the best lumbar puncture site for adults?
L3/L4 or L4/L5
What helps you to designate a lumbar puncture?
Supracristal line (between L2 and L3 in adults)
When do you NOT perform a lumbar puncture?
In patients with increased intracranial pressure (like herniated disc)
Which two pops do you listen for prior to entering the subarachnoid space for a lumbar puncture?
- Ligamentum flavum
2. Dura mater
A traumatic lumbar puncture occurs from?
Penetrating a vein in Batson’s plexus
Blood will be in CSF sample
