Spine anatomy

Question 1

What are the 2 primary curvatures?

Answer 1

Thoracic and sacrum/coccyx = kyphosis

Question 2

What are the 2 secondary curvatures?

Answer 2

Cervical and lumbar ( lordosis) = inward curvature

Question 3

What are the 3 atypical cervical vertebrae?

Answer 3

C1,C2 + C7

Question 4

Describe the typical features of the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 4

Bifid spinous process
Small vertebral body
Vertebral foramina for passage of the vertebral arteries

Question 5

What is the atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 5

Articulation between the occipital processes of the skull and superior articular surface on lateral masses of C1

Question 6

Describe the structure of C1

Answer 6

Has two lateral masses with superior articular surfaces for articulation with the occipital processes of the skull
= atlanto-occipital joint

Has anterior and posterior arches with corresponding tubercles
The anterior arch has a facet for articulation with the odontoid process of C2 = atlanto-axial joint

Question 7

Describe the structure of C2

Answer 7

• Similar features: Small vertebral body, lamina,bifid spinous process, transverse processes
• Has odontoid process to articulate with anterior arch of C1 at the atlanto axial joint

Question 8

Describe the key features of thoracic vertebrae and all the facets and their articulations

Answer 8

Larger vertebral body than cervical but smaller than lumbar
Main feature is that they articulate with the ribs

Superior articular facet
Inferior articular facet
Superior demi facet - articulates with head of corresponding rib
Inferior demi facet - articulates with head of rib below
Transverse costal facet - articulates with tubercle of corresponding rib

Question 9

What are the 2 components of an IV disc

Answer 9

Inner nucleus pulposus - shock absorbing

Outer annulus fibrosis

Question 10

What movement does the atlanto-occipital joint produce?

Answer 10

Elevation and depression of the head = knodding

Question 11

What movement does the atlanto-axial joint produce?

Answer 11

Rotation of head to side = NO

Question 12

What is the zygophyseal joint?

Answer 12

Articulation between superior articular facet on one vertebrae and the inferior articular facet of another vertebrae

Question 13

What are the main ligaments of the spine?

Answer 13

Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments: Long ligaments that run the length of the vertebral column, covering the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs.

Ligamentum flavum: Connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae.

Interspinous ligament: Connects the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae.

Supraspinous ligament: Connects the tips of adjacent spinous processes.

Question 14

What are the 3 layers of spinal meninges?

Answer 14

Dura mata
Arachnoid mata
Subarachnoid space : Contains CSF creating a pressure that forces arachnoid mata to push against the dura mata
Pia mata

Question 15

What are the denticulate ligaments?

What is the filum terminale?

Answer 15

Bilateral extensions of pia mata to support and attach to the dura mata. They hold the spinal cord laterally at each vertebral body and anchoring it

An extension of pia mata that suspends the cord in the CSF

Question 16

What is the functions of CSF?

Answer 16

Mechanical support

Immunological protection

Question 17

Where does the dura mata extend past and anchor to?

Answer 17

Extends past L1/L2 inferiorly before anchoring at S2

Question 18

How is a lumbar puncture performed?

Answer 18

CSF drawn from L3/4
This is because the spinal cord has terminated and is the conus medullaris
It prevents damage to spinal cord whilst still being able to withdraw CSF