Structure of the Cervical and Thoracic Spine

Question 1

What is the nucleus propulsus?

Answer 1

• Inner portion of the disc
• small number of collagen fibres suspended in semi-fluid ground substance
• like a gel
• deforms under pressure

Question 2

What is the annulus fibrous?

Answer 2

• Outer layer of disc
• layers of collagen in alternating concentric layers - 10-20 layers - 45 degrees to each other
• thicker anteriorly and laterally, weaker posteriorly

Question 3

What are the cartilage end plates?

Answer 3

Cover the entire NP, not AF.

• mixture of fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage
• firm attachment of disc to vertebral body

Question 4

what are the function of IV disc?

Answer 4

• resist buckling and transmit weight in weightbaring
• shock absorption
• allow increased ROM

Question 5

What are the attachments of the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 5

anterior parts of bodies and discs and bodies form C1 to pelvic surface of sacrum - widening as it descends

Question 6

what are the attachments of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 6

intervertebral discs and adjacent vertebral bodies within the vertebral canal - from C2 to sacrum

Question 7

what are the attachmetnts of ligamentum flavum?

Answer 7

Passes from both laminae of adjacent vertebrae from C1 to L5, attaching to the anterior/inferior border of the lamina above to the posterior/superior border of lamina below. Medial borders meet at the spine of the vertebrae.

Question 8

what are the attachments of the interspinous ligamnet?

Answer 8

inferior surface of spine of vertebrae above to superior surface of spine of vertebrae below. Runs from C2 to sacrum.

Question 9

what are the attachments of the supraspinous ligaments?

Answer 9

Band of longitudinal fibres running over & connecting tips of spinous processes from C7 to sacrum & is continuous with the posterior edge of the interspinous ligament.