Spine Anatomy

Question 1

Describe the bodies three main anatomic plans

Answer 1

Sagittarius plane
- decides body into tight and left

Transverse plane (axial)
- divides the body into top and bottom. 

Frontal plane (Coronal)
- divides body into front and back.

Question 2

There are 33 Vertebrae of the spine and their divided into how many regions? How many vertebrae are in each region.

Answer 2

Cervical spine - 7 
Thoracic spine -12
Lumbar spine - 5
Sacrum (fused) - 5
Coccyx - 4

Question 3

Identify the curves found in the spine and associate each to its role relative to the region where it is found?

Answer 3

Lordotic curve - curve but that is concave towards a posterior. Lordotic curve are found in the cervical and lumbar spine.

Kyphotic curve – a curve that is concave towards the anterior. Kyphotic curve is found in the the thoracic, sacrum, coccyx.

Question 4

What are the curves in the sagittal plane and what purposes do they serve?

Answer 4

Lordotic and kyphotic

Flexibility – curves in the spinal out vertebrae to move in ways that a straight column would not

Balance – curves in the spine and lower vertebrae to move and flex in relation to one another without the spine toppling over. In a standing position the curves keep your head over your pelvis

Shock absorption-
Curves in the spine allow it to bend and flex as axial load are placed upon it, to dissipate the force

Question 5

What is the curve in the cervical spine and what is it allowed to do?

Answer 5

The Curve in the cervical spine is lordotic

This it was fine allows flexion, extension, lateral bending and rotation

The cervical spine is extremely flexible

Question 6

How Does the position of the facet joint impact the motion of the spine?

Answer 6

Cervical (lordotic)- axial plane, tilted cranial pt at approximately 45 °. This orientation allows rotation and lateral bending and flexion/extension

Thoracic spine (kyphotic) - frontal plane, positioned at a 60° angle. The The orientation of the facets in the thoracis spine resist rotation. The thoracic is very rigid. The only significant move is “cat stretch”

Lumbar spine (lordotic) - Sagittarius plane, 45° to the frontal plane. This orientation resist rotation but allows lateral bending and flexion/extension

Question 7

What are the main components of the intravertebral disc?

Answer 7

Two parts

Annulus Fibrosus - this is the tough outer layer of woven cartilage fibers.

Nucleus Fibrosus - Soft center of an intravertebral disc, made up of gel like substance

Question 8

What are the main functions of the intravertebral disc

Answer 8

Spacer - The disc provides 25% of the overall height in the spine. Maintains a height of the intravertebral foramen

Distribute load - softest absorbs and distributes daily pressures and forces that exerted on the spin

Accommodate movement - as the Bertie robot is moving in relation to each other the desk the forms to allow that movement

Question 9

What is the main role of ligaments in the spine and how many ligaments are there?

Answer 9

Ligaments are in he spine to prevent extremes of motion that could damage the spine and spinal cord

5 ligaments

Anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL)
Posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL)
Supraspinous ligament 
Ligament flavum 
Interspinous ligament

Question 10

Anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL)

Answer 10

Ligament that runs along the anterior surface of the vertebrae beginning at the occiput and extending into the sacrum.

Resist excessive extension

Question 11

Posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL)

Answer 11

The human that runs along the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies beginning of the occiput in extending to the coccyx. Resist excessive flexion

Question 12

Supraspinous Ligament

Answer 12

The one that runs along the tip of each spinous process from C7 to the sacrum. Resist excessive flexion

Question 13

Ligamentum flavum

Answer 13

Ligament that connects the lamina of adjacent vertebrae

Question 14

Interspinous ligament

Answer 14

Ligament that connects the spinous process of adjacent vertebrae

Question 15

Nuchal ligament

Answer 15

Ligament connecting at the occiput and the spinous process. C1 - c7

Question 16

Which ligaments are continuous

Answer 16

ALL ,PLL, supraspinous ligament

Question 17

Which ligaments are segmental

Answer 17

The ligamentum flavum and interspinous ligament

Connecting only adjacent vertebrae

Question 18

Explain how dermatomes are used to determine the level of injury

Answer 18

Individual spinal nerves innervate specific regions of the skin called dermatomes.

Cervical spinal nerves are responsible for innervation of the arms

Thoracic nerves are responsible for the torso

Lumbar and sacral nerves are responsible for the legs

Question 19

Differentiate between the spinal cord and the cauda equine

Answer 19

Spinal cord is part of the central nervous system.

It’s main function is to carry sensory and motor signals back and forth between the body and the brain.

Extends to L1

The tapers into a cone shape (conus medullaris)

Then become the Cauda Equina (horses mane)

Is a bundle of nerves elements contained within a membranous sac.

Question 20

What is the anatomy of the spine?

Answer 20

Three membranes that cushion and protect it known as the Meninges

1. Dura mater - the though, fibrous membrane forming the outer covering of the central nervous system
2. Arachnoid - the meme brand that lies between the dura and pia mater.
3. Pia mater - delicate and highly vascular membrane of a collective tissue around the brain and spinal cord