Spine, IV Disc, and Venous Plexus anatomy

Question 1

How many IV discs are there?

Answer 1

25

Question 2

Between which vertebrae is there no IV disc?

Answer 2

C1 and C2

Question 3

What is the action of IV discs?

Answer 3

allow the spine to be flexible without sacrificing a great deal of strength. Provide shock absorbing effect and prevent vertebrae from grinding together

Question 4

Where is the thickness of the discs the highest?

Answer 4

cervical and lumbar regions

Question 5

What creates the secondary curvature (lordosis) of the spine?

Answer 5

IV discs in the cervical and lumbar regions are thicker anteriorly

Question 6

Iv discs consists of 3 major components. List them:

Answer 6

• annulus fibrosus
• nucleus pulposus
• cartilaginous endplates

Question 7

Annulus Fibrosus

Answer 7

tough circular exterior of the intervertebral disc that surrounds the nucleus pulposus

Question 8

Nucleus Pulposus

Answer 8

• inner structure
• gelatinous
• high water content
• resists axial forces

Question 9

Blood supply to the IV discs

Answer 9

• no significant vascular structures

- receive blood supply by diffusion through vertebral body endplates

Question 10

Cartilaginous endplates

Answer 10

anchor the discs to adjacent vertebrae

Question 11

At each vertebral level from T4 to the sacrum, a pair of _______ _____ branches posteriorly from the aorta to supply blood to the vertebral body, posterior elements, spinal cord, and costal structures.

Answer 11

segmental arteries

Question 12

Disc bulges

Answer 12

the circumference of the disc extends beyond the vertebral bodies

Question 13

Herniation usually occurs

Answer 13

posterolaterally

Question 14

Herniation of IV disc

Answer 14

puts pressure on the nerve roots or dorsal root ganglion exiting the intervertebral foramen at or below this level, leading to the symptoms of a “slipped disk”

Question 15

Where do herniations occur most frequently?

Answer 15

cervical and lumbar regions due to them being the most mobile

Question 16

How many cervical spinal nerves are there?

Answer 16

8 even though there are 7 cervical vertebrae

-starts above C1 and ends below C7 (above T1)

Question 17

Where is the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 17

extends from the axis (C2) anteriorly to the sacrum

Question 18

Is the posterior longitudinal ligament stronger or weaker than the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 18

weaker

Question 19

Where is the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 19

runs from the axis (C2) caudally to the sacrum

Question 20

The PLL is narrow at the levels of the vertebrae, but the fibers extend _____ at the disc levels. These fibers may help to contain herniated disc material.

Answer 20

laterally

Question 21

Because the PLL thins laterally, most disc herniations occur in a ______ direction.

Answer 21

posterolateral

Question 22

The ______ ligament connects each adjacent spinous process.

Answer 22

interspinous

Question 23

In the cervical spine, the interspinous ligament becomes part of the _____ _____ that extends cranially to insert into the occiput.

Answer 23

ligamentum nuchae

Question 24

The ___ _____ ligament is a very strong band connecting the tips of contiguous spinous processes. It extends from C7 to the sacrum.

Answer 24

supraspinous ligament

Question 25

The ____ _____ consists of elastic fibers oriented vertically that extend from the anterior inferior surface of the lamina above to the superior posterior surface of the lamina below.

Answer 25

ligamentum flavum

Question 26

The veins draining the sinal cord and vertebral column join the ____ ____ ____.

Answer 26

valveless vertebral venous plexus (Batson’s plexus)

Question 27

Where is Batson’s plexus located?

Answer 27

in the epidural space surrounding the vertebral column

Question 28

The vertebral plexus extend within the spinal canal from the ____ ___ ____ to the _____.

Answer 28

cranial dural sinuses; pelvis

Question 29

Common sites of prostate cancer metastasis:

Answer 29

bones, lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and brain

Question 30

Who reported the true functionality of the VVP and proposed it as the route most plausible for the distribution of prostate metastatic disease?

Answer 30

Oscar V. Batson

Question 31

Blood flow in VVP is ______.

Answer 31

Bidirectional (it is valvless)

Question 32

___ plays an important role in the regulation of intracranial pressure with changes in posture and in venous outflow from the brain.

Answer 32

VVP

Question 33

_____ ______ _____ is the main venous drainage while standing

Answer 33

vertebral venous plexus