Spine

Question 1

What are the 4 regions of the vertebral Column in order

Answer 1

Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar
Pelvic

Question 2

What are the curves of the spine

Answer 2

Primary curves are the thoracic and pelvic - called kyphoses
Secondary curves are the cervical and lumbar - called lordoses

Question 3

When and why do secondary curves of the spine develop?

Answer 3

The secondary curves develop when the child grows, lifts it head up and begins to assume an upright position
Cervical forms when the child can hold their head up (3/4 months)
Lumbar forms between 12-18 months when the child begins to walk

Question 4

How many vertebrae is in the vertebral column
How many participate in movement

Answer 4

33
24 participate in movement, the sacral and coccygeal are normally fused

Question 5

What are the parts of a typical vertebra

Answer 5

Vertebral body
Vertebral arch
An intervertebral foramen ( made up of the vertebral body, Pedicles and lamana fused together )
Intervertebral discs

Question 6

Role of vertebral body

Answer 6

Weight transmission
Anterior part of vertebra

Question 7

Role of vertebral arch

Answer 7

Surrounds the spinal canal which lies the spinal cord

Question 8

Role of the intervertebral foramen
How is it formed

Answer 8

The space where the nerve root exits the spinal canal

It’s formed by the Pedicles of the adjacent vertebrae

Question 9

Role the intervertebral discs

Answer 9

Facilitate the considerable range of movement in the vertebral column and act as buffers to counteract the effects of jarring

Question 10

How do the size of the vertebrae components change as they move down the spine

Answer 10

They increase in size down the spine due to loading and standing forces

Question 11

What are the atypical characteristics of the cervical vertebra
C1
C2
C7

Answer 11

All have a hole called a transverse foramen in each transverse processes
The atlas (C1) - no spinous process or body because it has fused with axis , forms pivot joint connecting spine to skull
The axis (C2) - the dens, a tooth-like process that’s larger and lon ger than other anatomical processes, it rises perpendicular from the upper surface of body, acting as a pivot around which rotation of the head can occur
C7 - has longest spinous processes and is easily palpated and spinous process isn’t bifid. It also only contains vertebral veins, no arteries

Question 12

What are the 2 processes of normal vertebra

Answer 12

Spinous process - in the middle
2 transverse processes - outer from spinous process

Question 13

What are the typical features of C3-C7 cervical vertebra

Answer 13

7 small flattened bodies vertebra
Much more mobile than other vertebra
Has transverse foramina which allows vertebral arteries to supply blood to the brain

Question 14

What are the typical features of thoracic vertebra

Answer 14

12 strong vertebra connected by intervertra discs
More pointy spinous processes and angle sharply down
Smaller body than lumbar but larger than cervical
Each Cx vertebrae except the 11th and 12th has a corresponding pair of ribs attached to them by FACETS on sides of body

Question 15

What are the atypical features of T12 vertebra

Answer 15

Has convex inferior articulated surfaces which are directed laterward - it closely resembles a lumbar vertebra by its 3 parts of transverse process

Question 16

What are the typical features of lumbar vertebra

Answer 16

5 vertebra
Largest vertebral body
Short and thick spinous process projecting perpendicularly
Facets have curved articulated surface

Question 17

What are the atypical features of L5 vertebra

Answer 17

Largest body and transverse processes of all vertebra
Anterior aspect of body has a greater height than the posterior creating a lumbrosacral angle between the lumbar region and the sacrum

Question 18

What are the 3 joints between adjacent vertebra in the vertebral column

Answer 18

A cartilaginous joint between vertebral bodies
2 synovial joints between vertebral arches aka facet joints

Question 19

Describe the cartilaginous inter body joint
And the parts of it

Answer 19

A symphysis joint containing a fibrocartilage intervertebral disc
Annulus fibrosus is the outer part consisting of lamellae of collagen fibres
Nucleus pulposus near centre of disc consisting of semi- fluid like gel and is highly water binding that changes with age
Vertebral end plates made of hylaine cartilage covering the upper and lower surfaces of vertebral body

Question 20

What is the annulus fibrosus responsible for

Answer 20

Vertebral stability and normal movement
Acts as a ligament to prevent excessive movement
Shock absorption

Question 21

What is the nucleus pulposus responsible for

Answer 21

Fulcrum for intervertebral movement
Distributes mechanical stress
Shock absorption
Fluid and nutritional exchange between disc and vertebra

Question 22

What are the vertebral end plates responsible for

Answer 22

Protect vertebral body
Fluid exchange between disc and blood vessels
Vertebral growth plate
Ligaments of inter body joints

Question 23

How many intervertebral discs are in the spine

Answer 23

23

Question 24

What are the main ligaments of the vertebral column

Answer 24

Anterior longitudinal ligament
Posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 25

What is the structure and attachemments anterior longitudinal ligament
Posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 25

Strong band extending from atlas to sacrum along anterior surfaces
Deep fibres attach to adjacent vertebra

Runs from axis to sacrum within the vertebral canal on posterior surfaces of vertebral body
Not as strong as anterior ligament

Question 26

Other terms for facet joint

Answer 26

Zygapophyseal
Apiohyseal joint

Question 27

What type of joints are facet joints and what are there structure and positioning

Answer 27

Synovial plane joints between vertebral arches
Each vertebra have a pair of superior facets and inferior facets
Shape and orientation of facets vary in different regions helping determine the movement available

Question 28

What are facet joints shape and orientation in the cervical region

Answer 28

All movements are available in the cervical spine - flexion, ext, side flex, rotation
Superior facets face superior and posterior
Inferior facets face inferior and anterior

Question 29

What is the shape and movements of the facet joints in the thoracic region

Answer 29

Superior facets face superiorly, posteriorly and laterally
Inferior facets face inferiorly, anteriorly and medially
Movements are rotation and side flexion
Limited flex and extension

Question 30

What are the facets joints shape and movements in the lumbar region

Answer 30

Superior facets face posteriorly and medially
Inferior facets face anteriorly and laterally
Movements are flexion extension and side flexion
Minimal rotation

Question 31

What are the ligaments on the facet joints

Answer 31

Joint capsule is a thin capsule that attaches to articulate margins and is lax to facilitate gliding movements but limits excessive movements

Question 32

What are the accessory ligaments that help stabilise the vertebral arches

Answer 32

Ligamentum flavum
Interspinous ligament
Suspraspinous ligament
Ligamentum nuchae
Intertransverse ligament

Question 33

What are the functions of the vertebral column

Answer 33

Carries and supports the rib cage
Protects the spinal cord
Stiffens the body
Attachment for pectoral and pelvic girdles and many muscles
Transmits body weight in walking and standing

Question 34

What is Cauda equina