Structure of the Vertebral Column

Question 1

What are the characteristics of the lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 1

• Large kidney-shaped Vertebral Bodies
• No transverse foramina
• triangular-shaped vertebral foramen
• The spinous processes of lumbar vertebrae are shorter than those of thoracic vertebrae

Question 1

How many vertebrae make up the spinal column? How many spinal nerves?

Answer 1

Question 2

What structures pass through the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 2

• The root of each spinal nerve
• Dorsal root ganglion
• The spinal artery of the segmental artery
• Communicating veins between the internal and external plexuses
• Recurrent meningeal (sinuvertebral) nerves
• Transforaminal ligaments

Question 3

What are the layers to pass through during a lumbar puncture?

Answer 3

1. Skin, subcutaneous fat, fascia
2. Supraspinous ligament
3. Interspinous ligament
4. Ligamentum flavum
5. Epidural space
6. Dura matter
7. Arachnoid matter
8. CSF

Question 3

At what level is the lumbar puncture performed?

Answer 3

L4/L5 (at the supracrestal line)

Question 4

What is the anatomy of an intervertebral disc?

Answer 4

Internal nucleus pulposus surrounded by fibrocartilaginous annulus fibrosus

Question 4

What are the ligaments of the vertebral column?

Answer 4

1. Supraspinous ligament
2. Interspinous ligament
3. Ligamentum flavum
4. Anterior longitudinal ligament
5. Posterior longitudinal ligament
6. Intervertebral ligaments

Question 5

What type of joint is the intervertebral (IV) joint?

Answer 5

Secondary cartilaginous joint

Question 6

What movements are possible on the lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 6

Flexion, extension, lateral flexion, axial rotation

Question 6

At what level is the spinal cord located in newborn and adult?

Answer 6

L3 (at birth), L1/2 (adult)

Question 7

What is found in the spinal canal below L2?

Answer 7

Cauda equina

Question 8

Where is the paravertebral venous plexus located?

Answer 8

• Anterior external vertebral venous plexus, the small system around the vertebral bodies
• Posterior external vertebral venous plexus, the extensive system around the vertebral processes
• Anterior internal vertebral venous plexus, the system running the length of the vertebral canal anterior to the dura
• Posterior internal vertebral venous plexus, the system running the length of the vertebral canal posterior to the dura

Question 9

What are the contents of the epidural space?

Answer 9

• Lymphatics
• Spinal nerve roots
• Loose connective tissue
• Fatty tissue
• Small arteries
• Network of internal vertebral venous plexuses

Question 10

Which tumors metastasize to the spine?

Answer 10

Spine is the most common site of bone metastases

• Breast
• Lung
• Thyroid
• Prostate
• Kidney

Question 11

What structures are found at C6?

Answer 11

• Termination of the pharynx and beginning of the esophagus
• Termination of the larynx and beginning of the trachea
• Entry of the vertebral artery to the foramen transversum
• Intermediate tendon of omohyoid crossing the carotid sheath
• Middle thyroid vein emerging from the thyroid gland
• Inferior thyroid artery entering the thyroid gland