Spine Flashcards
What makes up the vertebral column
33 vertebrae: 7 cervical 12 thoracic 5 lumbar 5 sacral (fused as sacrum) 4 coccygeal (fused as coccyx)
List the 4 curves of a healthy spine
Lordosis (secondary curve) in cervical region
Kyphosis (primary curve) of thoracic region Lordosis of lumbar region
Kyphosis of sacral region
How do the curves of the spine develop
As a baby you start of with 2 primary curves
When you start moving your head and neck you develop your cervical secondary curve
When you start walking you develop the secondary lumbar curve
What is the function of the curves in the spin
Helps maintain posture & balance
List the features of a typical vertebra
Body Vertebral foramen 2 Pedicles 2 laminae Superior, inferior and transverse costal facet Superior and inferior articular facet 2 transverse processes 1 Spinous process
What other name is given to the C1 vertebrae
Atlas
What other name is given to the C2 vertebrae
Axis
How is C7’s structure different
No foramena transeverse process
Long spinous process - first one you can feel at the back of your neck
What is the structure of the intervertebral discs
Centre is the nucleus pulposus - jelly-like material
Surrounded by the anulus fibrosis - fibrous capsule
Describe the movement of the facet joints
Carry out flexion, extension and lateral flexion alongside the discs
Less flexion/extension at thoracic spine due to constraint of ribs
Describe the orientation of the facet joints
Cervical - horizontal to allow greatest movement
Lumbar - horizontal, less rotation
What happens to the intervertebral discs as we age
Lose water content
This leads to overload on the facet joints and therefore pain particularly on extension
What discs are most affected by degeneration
L4/5 and L5/S1
Also these vertebrae are most prone to fracture
Where do the motor neurons originate from
Anteriorly from the spinal cord
Where do the sensory neurons originate from
Dorsally
Bodies in the dorsal root ganglion
Where does the spinal cord end
Level of T12/L1
Becomes the cauda equina
Where does the spinal cord run
Down the spinal canal formed by the vertebral foramina
What forms the spinal nerves
Anterior and posterior roots from the spinal cord
Exits via the intervertebral foramen
What symptoms appear if the upper motor neuron of the cauda equina is affected
weakness spasticity, increased tone, hyperreflexia
What symptoms appear if the lower motor neuron of the cauda equina is affected
weakness, flaccidity, loss of reflexes
Describe the path of the exiting nerve root
Lies outside the thecal sac
Passes under the pedicle of the corresponding vertebrae
The transversing nerve root pair lie outwith the thecal sac - true or false
False
Lie within the sac
Positioned anteriorly
What are the results of nerve root compression
Radiculopathy which causes pain down the sensory distribution of that dermatome
Called sciatica in the lower leg
Can also cause weakness in muscle and reduced/absent reflexes
Which nerve roots contribute to the sciatic nerve
L4, L5, S1,2,3
