The Back, Vertebral Column & Spinal Cord Flashcards
What are the functions of the back?
Maintenance of posture
Movement of limbs and trunk
What are the three parts of the trapezius muscle?
Descending (superior)
Transverse (middle)
Ascending (inferior)
List the extrinsic back muscles
Levator scapulae
Rhomboids
Trapezius
Latissimus dorsi
List the intrinsic back muscles
Erector spinae (superficial)
Transversospinalis (deep)
Where do the erector spinae muscles attach to inferiorly?
Common tendon attaches to the sacrum and iliac crest
Where do the erector spinae muscles attach superiorly?
rib (between angles and tubercles)
transverse process of a vertebra
spinous process of a vertebra
Where is the transversospinalis located?
Between the transverse and spinous processes
Where do individual muscle fibres of the transversospinalis attach between?
a vertebrae and the skull
a vertebrae and a rib
one vertebra and another vertebra
the sacrum and a vertebra
Describe the nerve supply of the intrinsic back muscles
Segmental nerve supply as per the dermatome/myotome pattern
The adult vertebral colum has __ vertebrae in total;
- _ cervical (__-__)
- __ thoracic (__-___)
- _ lumbar (__-__)
- _ sacral (_____ to form _ sacrum)
- _ coccygeal (_____ to form _ coccyx)
The adult vertebral colum has 33 vertebrae in total;
- 7 cervical (C1-C7)
- 12 thoracic (T1-T12)
- 5 lumbar (L1-L5)
- 5 sacral (Fused to form 1 sacrum)
- 4 coccygeal (fused to form 1 coccyx)
What is the function of the adult vertebral column?
Support head and trunk when upright
Protect the spinal cord (& spinal nerves)
Allow movements of the head on the neck & movements of the trunk
What are the primary curvatures of the spine?
Thoracic Kyphosis
Sacral kyphosis
What are the secondary curvatures of the spine?
Cervical lordosis
Lumbar lordosis
describe intervertebral foramen
form between adjacent vertebrae
spinal nerves found here
Describe facet joints
Between articular processes of adjacent vertebrae
Can be affected by arthritis
Describe intervertebral discs
Between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae
Strong attachment
Can herniate
Which part of the spinal column lacks intervertebral discs?
None between C1-C2 and the fused sacrum/coccyx
What is the structure of an intervertebral discs?
Outer fibrous ring- annulus fibrosus
Inner soft pulp- nucleus pulposus
What are the ligaments of the spinal column?
Ligamentum flavum
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Supraspinous ligament
Interspinous ligament
What is the role of the ligamentum flavum?
Connect adjacent laminae posterior to spinal cord
What is the role of the posterior longitudinal ligament
to prevent overflexion of the spine
What is the role of the anterior longitudinal ligament
Prevents over-extension of the spine
What is the role of the supraspinous ligament?
To connect tips of spinous processes
What is the role of the interspinous ligament?
Connect superior and inferior surfaces of adjacent spinous processes
What are the common typical features of a cervical vertebrae?
Transverse foramen
Bifid spinous process
Triangular shaped vertebral foramen
What is unique to the atlas?
Does not have a body or a spinous process
It has a posterior arch and anterior arch
What is unique to the axis?
Ondontoid process
Projects superiorly from body
What is unique to C7 vertebrae?
It is the first palpable spinous process in 70% of people
What type of joints are the atlanto-occipital joints?
Synovial joints with loose capsule
What are the movements of the atlanto-occipital joints?
Flexion and extension of the neck
A little lateral flexoin and rotation
What kind of joints are the atlanto-axial joints?
3 articulations, all synovial
What are the articulations of the atlanto-axial joints?
2 between the inferior articular facets of the atlas and the superior articular facets of the axis
1 Between the anterior arch of the atlas and the ondontoid process of the axis
What are the 4 stages of cervical vertebrae dislocation?
Stage I- flexion sprain
Stage II- anterior subluxation, 25% translation
Stage III- 50% translation
Stage IV- complete dislocation
In ____ anaesthesia local anesthetic is injected into the sacral ______ to anaesthetise the ____ ____ _____ ____ of the ____ ______
In caudal anaesthesia local anesthetic is injected into the sacral hiatus to anaesthetise the sacral spinal nerve roots of the cauda equina
Where does the spinal cord begin and end?
Begins at foramen magnum, ends at vertebral level L1/L2
What is the cauda equina?
All the spinal nerve roots from L2 to CO that have to descend to their numbered vertebrae where their spinal nerve is located within the intervertebral foramen
What surrounds the spinal cord?
3 layers of meninges
epidural fat
What is a laminectomy used for?
- To access the spinal canal, posterior exposure of the spinal cord and/or spinal roots
- relieve pressure on spinal cord or nerve roots
What can cause pressure on spinal cord or nerve roots?
Tumour, herniated disc, bone hypertrophy
