Spine

Question 1

Lumbar vetebrae

Answer 1

•A triangular vertebral foramen.
•A ‘kidney-shaped’ vertebral body.
•A thick vertebral arch.
• They are also the largest of the vertebrae.

Question 2

Thoracic vetebrae typical vs atypical

Answer 2

Thoracic vertebrae articulate with the ribs, and so each typical vertebra has:
•A costal facet – on the transverse process.
•Superior and inferior demi-facets – on the vertebral body.
•The costal facet of the vertebrae will articulate with the the rib at that level.
•The superior demi-facet of the vetebrae will articulate with the rib at that level.
•The inferior demi-facet of the vetebrae will articulate with the rib below.

Atypical:
•T1 has a full superior facet as rib I does not articulate at all with C7.
•T10-12 have full superior facets and lack inferior demi-facets. This is because ribs X, XI, and XII only articulate with their corresponding vertebrae.
•T11 and 12 do not possess costal facets, as the floating ribs do not articulate with the transverse processes.

Question 3

Cervical vertebrae typical vs atypical

Answer 3

Cervical vertebrae have a number of distinctive features:
•A triangular vertebral foramen.
•A bifid (two-pronged) spinous process.
•A small vertebral body.
•Transverse foramina- The transverse foramina allow for the passage of the vertebral arteries

•C1 does not possess a vertebral body, and instead has an anterior arch.
•It has two superior facets for articulation with the occipital condyles.
•It has a short, non-bifid spinous process.
•C2 also lacks a vertebral body, and instead has a dens (or odontoid process).
•C7 has a long, prominent, non-bifid spinous process.
•This vertebra is easily palpable – you can feel it on yourself if you flex your neck.

Question 4

Anterior longitudinal ligament location and function

Answer 4

•The ALL runs along the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies.
•It functions to prevent hyperextension of the vertebral column.

Question 5

Posterior longitudinal ligament location and function

Answer 5

•The PLL runs along the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies.
•It functions to prevent hyperflexion of the vertebral column.

Question 6

Ligamentum flavum location and function

Answer 6

•The ligamenta flava connect the laminae of adjacent vertebrae.
•They function to prevent hyperflexion of the vertebral column and anchor the laminae together to prevent uncoordinated rotation.

Question 7

Interspinous ligaments location and function

Answer 7

•The interspinous ligaments connect the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae.
•They function to prevent hyperflexion of the vertebral column and anchor the spinous processes to one another.

Question 8

Supraspinous ligament location and function

Answer 8

•The supraspinous ligament runs along the posterior aspect of the vertebrae.
•It functions to prevent hyperflexion of the vertebral column.

Question 9

Inter-transverse ligament location and function

Answer 9

•The intertransverse ligaments attach the transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae.
•They function to anchor the transverse processes to one another and limit lateral flexion of the vertebral column

Question 10

Components of the ventricular system

Answer 10

◦Lateral Ventricles (n=2)- anterior horn (frontal lobe), body (parietal lobe), posterior horn (occipital lobe), inferior horn (temporal lobes). Leads to
◦Interventricular foramen (Foramen of Monro)
◦Third ventricle (n=1)- located between the right and left thalami. Leads to
◦Cerebral Aqueduct
◦Fourth ventricle (n=1)- posterior to the pons and proximal part of the medulla oblongata and anterior to cerebellum
◦Foramen of Luschka- lateral apertures that allow CSF to drain from 4th ventricle to central canal of spinal cord subarachnoid space
◦Foramen of Magendie- median aperture that allow CSF to pass into the subarachnoid space

Question 11

Cerebro-spinal fluid

Answer 11

• CSF is made in the choroid plexuses
• CSF flows from the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle via the interventricular foramen
• from the 3rd ventricle to the 4th ventricle via the cerebral aqueduct
• from the 4thventricle it travels through the lateral apertures
• it then enters the subarachnoid space
• Eventually it enters dural venous circulation via arachnoid granulations

A colourless fluid with functions:
◦Nourishes the brain
◦Protects it from injuries to some extent
◦Assists with removing wastes from the brain