The Lumbar Spine and Sacrum Flashcards
How many vertebrae are in the Lumbar spine?
- L1 - L5 and are the largest and strongest in the body
What type of curve dose the lumbar spine create?
A lordotic curve
Are the 5 vertebrae similar in size?
Yep
What is at the base of each transverse process?
A small prominence of bone called the accessory or mamillary process
What is the junction of the lamina to the pedicle called in the lumbar spine?
The pars interarticularis
Where does the spinal cord end?
Between L1 and L2
How many vertebra does the sacrum consist of ?
5 vertebrae and they are fused
What type curve does the sacrum have?
Kyphotic=
What shape is the sacrum?
It is wedge shaped and forms the posterior walls of the pelvis
What does the sacrum articulate with?
The L5 above, the coccyx below, and laterally with the articular surfaces of the iliac bones of the hip
What is the sacro-iliac joint?
The joint between the pelvis and the sacram.
What is distal to S5?
A triangular bone, the coccyx, consisting of 3-5 fused vertebrae.
What are sacral foramina or pelvic foramina?
Foramina that lie at the lateral ends of the lines across the sacrum that represent the fused vertebrae
What is the area lateral to the sacral foramina known as?
The pars lateralis
What is the pars lateralis at S1 more commonly known as?
Ala
What is the projecting edge of the first sacral vertebra called?
The sacral promontory
What is the sacral promontory used for?
A landmark for sacral screw insertion
What does the total pelvis or pelvic girdle consist of?
Two hop bones (ossa coxae), the sacrum and the coccyx.
What does the ossa coxae articulate with?
The sacrum and the coccyx
What forms the ossa coxae?
the fused ilium, ischium and pubis
What type of joint is the sacro-iliac joint?
A true synovial joint, with capsule and cartilage
What are the two main ligaments in the lumbar spine?
the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments