The Back

Question 1

Vertebral column

Answer 1

7 cervical (posture)
12 thoracic (weight-bearing)
5 lumbar (protects spinal cord)
5 saccral (contributes to ribs)
1-2 coccygeal (attachment of trunk muscles)

Question 2

Primary curvatures

Answer 2

In utero
Kyphosis
Still in thoracic and saccral regions

Question 3

Secondary curvatures

Answer 3

Develops as you grow
Lordosis
Still in cervical and lumbar regions
Develops once infant can lift head and stand to walk

Question 4

Characteristic features of cervical vertebrae

Answer 4

Bifid spinous process
Transverse foramina
Triangular vertebral foramen

Question 5

Characteristic features of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 5

2 demi facets for articulation the heads of 2 different ribs
Costal facet on transverse processes for articulation with shaft of one rib
Spinous process is oblique and long extending posteriorly and inferiorly
Circular foramen

Question 6

Characteristic features of lumbar vertebrae

Answer 6

Large vertebral body
Triangular foramen
Short spinous process

Question 7

sacrum

Answer 7

5 fused vertebrae
sacral hiatus (arch at bottom)
Median, intermediate and lateral crests

Question 8

Coccygeal vertebrae

Answer 8

Varies in number between individuals (1-4)
Fused in some people
Some do not ossify

Question 9

Atlas

Answer 9

C1
Superior facet for articulation with occipital condyle
Contains facet for articulation with axis
Groove for vertebral artery

Question 10

Axis

Answer 10

C2
Ondontoid process/dens
Superior articular facets that articulate with inferior facet of C1
alar ligament from sides of dens to sides of foramen magnum
transverse ligament that keeps dens close to anterior arch

Question 11

Role of C1 and C2

Answer 11

Rotation of head and neck at atlantoaxial joint

Question 12

Joints of vertebral column

Answer 12

Zygopophaseal joints: between facets of vertebrae above and below
Symphysis: between invertebral discs

Question 13

Intervertebral disc

Answer 13

Central nucleus pulposus

• gelatinous
• absorbs compressive forces between vertebrae
• collagen content and dehydration increases with age: contributes to shrinking

Outer anulus fibrosus

• very strong concentric lamellae of fibrocartilage
• attached and kept in place by anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments

Question 14

Herniated disc

Answer 14

Slipped disc- presses on nerve structures
Most common in posterolateral direction and in lumbar region
Possible compression of spinal cord/cauda equina/emerging spinal nerve

Question 15

Anterior-atlanto and atlanto-occipital membranes

Answer 15

Continues as anterior longitudinal ligament:

• limits extension
• extends from atlas to sacrum

Question 16

Tectorial membrane

Answer 16

From foramen magnum to C2
Continues as posterior longitudinal ligament
-resists hyperflexion
-extends from C2 to sacrum

Question 17

Which ligament is found between vertebral lamina? What is its function?

Answer 17

Ligament flava

• limits flexion
• supports curvatures
• continuation from atlanto-axial and atlanto-occipital membranes

Question 18

Which ligament is found between transverse processes?

Answer 18

Intertransverse ligament

Question 19

Which ligament is found between the tips of spines?

Answer 19

Supraspinous ligament from C7 to sacrum

Continuation of ligament nuchae from posterior edge of foramen magnum and C7

Question 20

Cruciate ligament

Answer 20

Transverse + superior and inferior longitudinal fascicles

• helps hold C1 and C2 together
• prevents excessive movement between altas, axis and occiput

Question 21

What supplies vertebrae?

Answer 21

Anastomic rings from vertebral arteries and posterior, intercostal and lumbar branches of aorta

Venous plexus, internal and external coalesce drain to veins

Basivertebral veins on the body of the vertebrae

Question 22

Extrinsic muscles

Answer 22

Superficial
Involved in movement of upper limbs and thoracic wall
Innervated by anterior rami of spinal nerves

Question 23

Intrinsic muscles

Answer 23

Deep between spinous processes and angle of ribs
Provides support/movement in resistance to gravity
Involved in movement in vertebral column
Innervated by posterior rami of spinal nerves

Question 24

Function of trapezius

Answer 24

Extends neck
Retracts scapulae
Upper fibres elevate shoulders in abduction
Lower fibres depress shoulder

Question 25

Function of latissimus dorsi

Answer 25

Shoulder extension and adduction

Question 26

Function of rhomboid major and minor

Answer 26

Scapular retraction and elevation

Question 27

Function of serratus posterior superior

Answer 27

Inspiration

Question 28

Function of serratus posterior inferior

Answer 28

Expiration

Question 29

Superficial muscle and function

Answer 29

Splenius capitis and cervicis together: extend the neck alone: involved in lateral flexion and rotation

Question 30

Intermediate muscle and function

Answer 30

Illiocostalis (cervicis, thoracis, lumborum)
Longissimus (capitis, cervicis, thoracis, lumborum)
Spinalis (capitis, cervicis, thoracis)