Spine & Spinal Cord

Question 1

Vertebral Column _____ Bones

Answer 1

33
Linked together via ligaments
Provide spinal cord protection, trunk support, & sites for muscle attachments

Question 2

Cervical Vertebrae

Answer 2

7 bones
Transverse foramen (vertebral artery)
Small body
Vertebral foramen large & triangular
Bifid spinous processes
Flat facets open & dorsal facing

Question 3

Thoracic Vertebrae

Answer 3

12 bones
Long spinous processes that slope inferiorly
Heart-shaped body
Long transverse process
Rib facets present - flat & upward facing
Vertebral foramen round

Question 4

Lumbar Vertebrae

Answer 4

5 bones
Large kidney-shaped bodies
Thick, short transverse & spinous processes
Vertebral foramen triangular
Facets medially curved, limited rotation

Question 5

Sacral Vertebrae

Answer 5

5 bones
Sacrum 4-5 fused segments
Posterior sacral foramina
Posterior pelvic wall cavity
Base - sacral promontory
Apex area towards the coccyx

Question 6

Coccygeal

Answer 6

4 bones
Coccyx
Tiny pebble-like bones
Tailbone
3-4 fused segments

Question 7

Primary Curvature

Answer 7

Single curve
Concave anteriorly (kyphosis)
Fetus
Maintained in thoracic & sacrococcygeal regions in adults

Question 8

Secondary Curvatures

Answer 8

Convex anteriorly (lordosis)
Cervical curve
- Appears when child begins to hold up head
- Helps w/ head balance on trunk
Lumbar curve
- Appears when child begins to walk
- Helps balance trunk on pelvis

Question 9

Vertebrae Parts

Answer 9

Vertebral body
Pedicles
Vertebral foramen
Transverse processes
Lamina 
Spinous process
Facets

Question 10

Atlas

Answer 10

C1
Supports head
Fused to skull base (occipital condyles)
NO body
Anchors the skull

Question 11

Axis

Answer 11

C2
C1 body fused w/ C2 to form dens
Dens held in place via ligaments & pivots to allow head to turn

Question 12

Vertebrae connect at _____ ______ & ______

Answer 12

Articular facets
Bodies w/ disc
Multiple ligaments

Question 13

Ligamentum Flavum

Answer 13

Deep/ventral to supraspinous & interspinous ligaments

DENSE

Question 14

Needle Path

Answer 14

1. Skin - dermis & hypodermis
2. Fat
3. Muscle (missed perfect midline insertion)
4. Supraspinous ligament
5. Interspinous ligament
6. Ligamentum flavum (missed perfect midline)
7. Dural sac

Posterior longitudinal ligament or vertebral body TOO FAR

Question 15

Epaxial Muscles

Answer 15

DORSAL to transverse processes
Attaches to vertebrae & ribs
Act on axial skeleton (back, neck, & head)
Move or stabilize the back
- Erector spinae

Question 16

Hypaxial Muscles

Answer 16

VENTRAL to transverse processes
Attach to & act on the limbs
- Rhomboids
- Trapezius
- Latissimus dorsi

Question 17

Spinal nerve emerges from _____ & carries ______ signals

Answer 17

Intervertebral space b/w vertebrae

SOMATIC (& autonomic) motor & sensory signals

Question 18

_____ innervates epaxial muscles

Answer 18

Dorsal ramus

Question 19

_____ innervates hypaxial muscles

Answer 19

Ventral ramus

• Lateral cutaneous branch
• Anterior cutaneous branch

Question 20

Spinal Nerve Compression →

Answer 20

Typical spinal nerve emerges from intervertebral foramen b/w two vertebrae
Pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, paralysis
Shear stress → pinches vertebral column space

Question 21

Dermatone

Answer 21

Skin strip innervated by a SINGLE spinal nerve

Question 22

Spinal Anesthesia Dermatome Levels

Common Surgical Procedures

Answer 22

T4 - upper abdominal surgery
T6 - intestinal surgery
L1 - hip surgery
L2 - foot surgery
S2/5 - perineal or anal surgery

Question 23

Intercostal Blocks

Answer 23

Insert needle on TOP rib to avoid artery/vein/nerve bundle

Question 24

Spinal Cord Blood Supply

Answer 24

ONE anterior spinal artery

TWO posterior spinal arteries

Question 25

Spinal Cord Meninges

Answer 25

Subarachnoid space → pia mater → arachnoid mater → dura mater → epidural space
Meninges continue over spinal nerves
Cover & protect the CNS
Maintain CSF

Question 26

The subarachnoid space contains: ______

Answer 26

Arteries & veins

Question 27

Spinal vs. Vertebrae

Answer 27

Spinal C1 opposite top vertebrae C1
Spinal T1 opposite vertebrae T1
Spinal L1 opposite vertebrae T11
Spinal S1 opposite vertebrae L1

Question 28

Spinal Cord Terminates at _____

Answer 28

L1/L2 vertebrae
Dural sac continues into the sacrum
Spinal cords ends at different levels in adults vs. children