The lumbar spine

Question 1

What are the functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

• Central bony pillar that supports weight of the skull, pelvis, upper limbs and thoracic cage
• Protect the spinal cord and cauda equina
• Posture
• Locomotion
• Haematopoiesis (bone marrow)

Question 2

Describe the structure of the lumbar vertebrae

Answer 2

• Kidney-shaped vertebral body
• Vertebral foramen
• 7 processes (2 transverse, 2 superior articular, 2 inferior articular, 1 spinous)

Question 3

What type of joint is a facet/zygapophyseal joint?

Answer 3

Synovial joint formed from inferior and anterior articulating facets lined with hyaline cartilage
-interlocking design prevents antero-posterior displacement

Question 4

What movements are allowed by the lumbar spine?

Answer 4

Flexion and extension

Question 5

Describe the composition of intervertebral discs (percentages)?

Answer 5

70% water
20% collagen
10% proteoglycans

Question 6

What are the two regions of the intervertebral discs?

Answer 6

1) Nucleus pulposus = remnant of embryonic notochord, gelatinous (type 2 collagen)
2) Annulus fibrosus (major shock absorber) = lamellae of collagen bands (type 1)

Question 7

What are the two factors that naturally decrease height of intervertebral discs?

Answer 7

1) Time of day = water squeezed out from mechanical pressure

2) Age

Question 8

What are the functions of the ligaments of the vertebral column?

Answer 8

• Provide stability by preventing excessive movement

- Supports load (stores energy providing resistance)

Question 9

What are the major ligaments of the vertebral column? (5)

Answer 9

Anterior longitudinal ligament
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Ligamentum flavum
Interspinous ligament
Supraspinous ligament

Question 10

What movement does the anterior longitudinal ligament prevent?

Answer 10

Hyperextension

Question 11

What movement dose the posterior longitudinal ligament prevent?

Answer 11

Hyperflexion

Question 12

What is the filum terminale?

Answer 12

A continuation of pia mater from the conus medullaris of the spinal cord to the first segment of the coccyx

Question 13

What is the difference between primary and secondary curvature of the spine?

Answer 13

Primary curvature is formed from birth whilst secondary curvature develops after birth from lifting head and walking

Question 14

What is kyphosis?

Answer 14

Anterior flexion curvature (anteriorly concave)

• Thoracic
• Sacrococcygeal

Question 15

What is lordosis?

Answer 15

Posterior flexion curvature (posteriorly concave)

• Cervical
• Lumbar