Spine Flashcards
What action does the anterior longitudinal ligament limit?
excessive hyperextension of the spine
where are the interspinous ligaments located?
BETWEEN adjacent spinous processes
axis C2
What does the major segmental artery specifically provide nutrients for?
vertebral body, vertebral arch (bones)
how many lumbar vertebrae?
5
What property is unique of the atlas bone?
there is no spinous process, and no vertebral body
What is unique about the internal and external vertebral venous plexus and why is it clinically significant?
there are no valves, and they are linked together (anastomose). this increases the risk of allowing the spread of malignant disease and sepsis.
What is the strength of posterior longitudinal ligament?
weak, narrow and thinner (than anterior longitudinal)
What portion of the intervertebral disc “leaks” during a herniation?
nucleus pulposus
Where is the interspinous ligament connected?
between adjacent spinous processes
Where do 95% of disc herniations occur and why?
L4-L5 or L5-S1, larger intervertebral discs with greater movements
3 specific venous plexus’ of the spinal veins?
internal vertebral venous plexus, external vertebral venous plexus (anterior and posterior)
Which curves of the back are primary curves?
kyphotic curve of the thoracic spine and kyphotic curve of the sacrum
What action does the supraspinous ligament limit?
flexion of spine/neck
How far does the supraspinous ligament run down the spine?
runs the length of the vertebral column
how many coccygeal segments?
4
atlas C1
What spinal ligaments could be damaged due to extreme hyperflexion of the spine?
posterior longitudinal ligament, interspinous ligaments (could be due to facet jumping of cervical vertebrae)
Continuous Ligaments of the Spine (3)
Supraspinous Ligament, Posterior Longitudinal Ligament, Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
where is the posterior longitudinal ligament located?
posterior surface of vertebral bodies (in the vertebral canal)
How many cervical vertebrae?
7
Which specific vein drains the vertebral bodies and where does it drain?
basivertebral vein drains into internal and external vertebral venous plexus’
What comprises the atlanto occipital joint?
occipital condyles and the superior articular facets
What is the main intervertebral joint (posterior articulation)?
zygapophysial joints, 1 vertebra participates in 2 zygapophysial joints, superior and inferior.
What forms the nuchal ligament in the cervical spine?
supraspinous ligament
Which component of the intervertebral disc is tough and thick?
annulus fibrosus
Where is the anterior longitudinal ligament located?
anterior surface of vertebral bodies
What action does the ligamentum flavum limit?
flexion
How far does the anterior longitudinal ligament stretch?
occipital bone to sacrum
What does the supraspinous ligament connect?
tips of the spinous processes in thoracic and lumbar spines
What action does the posterior longitudinal ligament prevent?
limits hyperflexion
Which 5 broad areas do the major segmental arteries supply?
posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar, iliolumbar, and sacral
which component of the intervertebral disc is jelly-like?
nucleus pulposus
How does the vertebral artery wind through the cervical spine?
enters the transverse foramen at C6, ascends through each transverse foramen from C6 to C1, and travels across the posterior arch of the atlas (C1) to enter the foramen magnum
Discontinuous Ligaments of the Spine (2)
Ligamentum Flavum, Interspinous Ligament
How many thoracic vertebrae?
12
What spinal ligaments could be damaged due to extreme hyperextension of the spine?
the anterior longitudinal ligament
What is the strength of anterior longitudinal ligament?
strong and broad
What property is unique of the axis bone?
has Dens that articulates with the facet for dens on the anterior arch of the atlas, HAS a vertebral body AND spinous process
how many (fused) sacral vertebrae?
5
which curves of the back are secondary curves?
lordotic curve of the cervical spine, lordotic curve of the lumbar spine
What does the radicular/segmental medullary branch of the segmental artery supply nutrients to? (2)
nervous tissue: spinal roots and spinal cord
What is the clinical significance of the location of the zygapophyseal joints?
since the joint is proximal to the intervertebral foramina, if this joint is injured or develops osteoarthritis, it could affect spinal nerves
What actions do the atlanto axial joint allow?
rotation of the head in the transverse plane (“no” motion)
What is characteristic about ligamentum flavum?
it is yellow colored
How far does the posterior longitudinal ligament stretch”
C2 to sacrum
thoracic vertebra
What actions does the atlanto occipital joint allow?
flexion/extension of the head
Where is the supraspinous ligament located?
posteriorly to spinous processes, attaches the tips of spinous processes
What does the spinal branch of the segmental artery supply nutrients to? (4)
bone, periosteum, ligaments, meninges
which conditions could cause lordosis of the lumbar spine?
pregnancy, obesity
Where are the ligamentum flavum located?
between laminae of adjacent vertebrae
What is the ligamentum flavum attached to?
connects lamina
Which conditions could cause EXCESSIVE kyphosis of the thoracic spine?
spinal osteoporosis
What action does the interspinous ligament limit?
flexion
