The Back

Question 1

What are the two major parts of an intervertebral disc?

Answer 1

Nucleus Pulposus and Anulus fibrosis

Question 2

What is a herniated disc?

Answer 2

A rupture or tear in the annulus fibrosis, where the nucleus pulposus leaks out in the posterolateral direction

Question 3

Where does the anterior longitudinal ligament attach to? ( Single broad, flat)

Answer 3

Anterior surface of the bodies and intervertebral discs of the vertebral column

Question 4

Where does the posterior longitudinal ligament attach to? (single narrow ligament)

Answer 4

attaches to the anterior wall of the vertebral canal, lies on the posterior wall of the bodies of the vertebrae

Question 5

What is the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 5

multiple elastic/ yellow ligament that attaches to the laminae of opposing vertebrae ( attach to posterior surface of inferior lamina to anterior surface of superior lamina)

Question 6

What is the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 6

elastic/yellow ligament attaches to the spinous processes of the cervical and external occipital protuberance ( broad sheet posteriorly in the midline of the neck)

Question 7

What are the superficial muscles?

Answer 7

Trapezius, latissimus dorsi, (rhomboideus major and minor, levator scapulae lie deep to trapezius) movement of upper limb

Question 8

What are the intermediate muscles?

Answer 8

Serratus posterior superior located deep to rhomboideus muscles, serratus posterior inferior located deep to latissimus dorsi ( respiratory function)

Question 9

What are the deep muscles?

Answer 9

Erector spinae and transversospinalis (most deep), transversospinalis lie between the ipsilateral transverse and spinous process of vertebrae

Question 10

What are the surface anatomy of the back?

Answer 10

vertebra prominens (C7), thoracic spinous processes (between spinous processes), sacral triangle ( flat triangular area over sacrum located at S3)

Question 11

Where does the medulla Oblongata terminate?

Answer 11

terminates at foramen magnum continuous with the spinal cord

Question 12

Where does the spinal cord terminate?

Answer 12

Conus medullaris ( conical shaped at L1/L2)

Question 13

What is the Cauda Equina?

Answer 13

Collection of nerve rootlets located in the vertebral canal, extends from Conus medullaris to S2

Question 14

Blood supply of the spinal cord?

Answer 14

Anterior spinal artery ( origin in cranial cavity union of two vessels of vertebral arteries anterio longitudinal fissure)
Posterior spinal arteries ( origin in cranial cavity, from terminal branch of the vertebral arteries)

Question 15

What does the Pia mater attach to?

Answer 15

Attaches to the spinal cord and spinal cord nerve roots extend into each intervertebral foramen

Question 16

What is the Filum Terminale

Answer 16

thin central fibrous strand of the pia mater that extends from the conus medullaris of spinal cord to coccyx

Question 17

What are the denticulate ligaments?

Answer 17

two in number, elongated band extends from the foramen magnum to L1 21 tooth like extensions of pia mater

Question 18

What does the dura and arachnoid mater cover?

Answer 18

surronds spinal nerve roots and bodies as they pass through the intervertebral foramina

Question 19

What does the subarachnoid space?

Answer 19

CSF, spinal cord blood vessels

Question 20

What is the lumbar cistern

Answer 20

Most dilated portion of the subarachnoid space?

Question 21

What does the Caudal sac contain?

Answer 21

wall formed by pia and acrachnoid matr contains cauda equine, filum terminale and CSF this sac terminates at S2

Question 22

What is the difference between the dural and caudal sac?

Answer 22

Dural sac refers to dural structure surrounding the spinal cord

Question 23

Contents of Cervical vertebral canal?

Answer 23

Posterior longitudinal ligament
Epidural space
Internal vertebral venous plexus
Dura mater and pia mater
subdural space
arachnoid and subarachnoid
spinal blood vessels

Question 24

How many spinal blood vessels are there?

Answer 24

1 anterior spinal vein and 1 posterior spinal vein

Question 25

Contents of intervertebral foramen?

Answer 25

Posterior root of the spinal nerve
Dorsal root/ spinal ganglion
Anterior root of the spinal nerve
Meninges
Periradicular recess ( narrow portion of subarachnoid space surronds dorsal root ganglion and nerve roots)

Question 26

what are the rami of the spinal nerve?

Answer 26

Posterior ramus of the spinal nerve ( smallest branch of the body of the spinal nerve)
Anterior ramus of spinal nerve ( largest branch of the body of the spinal nerve)