The vertebral column

Question 1

The vertebral column consist of ___ vertebrae. List them.

Answer 1

33; cervical C1 to C7, thoracic T1 to T12, lumbar L1 to L5, sacral S1 to S5 (sacrum), and coccygeal Co1 to Co4 (coccyx)

Question 2

Vertebral canal contains_____________________

Answer 2

the spinal cord, dorsal rootlets, ventral rootlets, dorsal nerve root, ventral nerve root, and meninges

Question 3

where can you find spinal nerve?

Answer 3

outside the vertebral canal

Question 4

Spinal nerve exits through _____________

Answer 4

intervertebral foramen

Question 5

what are the primary curves? when does it occur?

Answer 5

the thoracic and sacral curvatures; during the fetal period

Question 6

What are the secondary curves? when does it occur?

Answer 6

the cervical and lumbar curvatures; after birth as a result of lifting the head and walking, respectively

Question 7

Kyphosis

Answer 7

an exaggeration of the thoracic curvature, which may occur in the aged due to osteoporosis of disc degeneration.

Question 8

Lordosis

Answer 8

an exxageration of the lumbar curvature, which may occur as a result of pregnancy, spondylolisthesis, or “potbelly”

Question 9

Scoliosis

Answer 9

a complex lateral deviation/torsion, which may occur due to poliomyelitis,, a short leg, or hip disease

Question 10

what are Atlanto-occipital Joints? List actions occur at these joints

Answer 10

The articulations between the superior articular surfaces of atlas (C1) and the occipital condyles; action: nodding the head (“yes”) and sideways of tilting of the head; These are synovial joints and have NO intervertebral disc.

Question 11

Synovial joints

Answer 11

also known as diarthrosis, is the most common and most movable type of joint in the body of a mammal. As with most other joints, synovial joints achieve movement at the point of contact of the articulating bones.

Question 12

what limit excessive movement at Atlanto-occipital joints?

Answer 12

anterior and posterior atlanto-occipital membranes

Question 13

What are Atlantoaxial-Joints? List actions occur at these joints.

Answer 13

Articulations between atlas (C1) and axis (C2) which include two lateral atlantoaxial joints between the inferior facets of C1 and superior facets of C2 and one median atlantoaxial joint between the anterior of C1 and the dens of C2; Actions: turning head side-to-side (“no”); synovial joints achieve and have NO intervertebral disc.

Question 14

What limit excessive movement at Atlanto-occipital joints?

Answer 14

Alar ligaments, which extends from sides of the dens to the lateral margins of the foramen magnum, limit excessive movement at this joint

Question 15

Atlantoaxial dislocation is caused by ______________________

Answer 15

the rupture of the transverse ligament of atlas due to trauma (ex: Jefferson fracture) or rheumatoid athritis

Question 16

what would happen if atlantoaxial dislocation occcur?

Answer 16

This allows mobility of the dens (part of C2) within the vertebral canal, which places at risk the cervical spinal cord (leading to quadriplegia and/or medulla (respiratory paralysis leading to sudden death)

Question 17

The dens is secured in its position by ________

Answer 17

• Tranverse ligament of atlas, which together with the superior lingitudinal band and inferior longitudinal band form the cruciate ligament.
• Alar ligaments
• Tectorial membrane, which is a continuation of the posterior longitudinal lilgament

Question 18

what suggests the tearing of the transverse ligament?

Answer 18

A widening of the atlantodental interval

Question 19

The vertebrae are supplied by _____________

Answer 19

periosteal branches, equatorial branches, and spinal branches

Question 20

(venous drainage)The vertebrae are drained by ______ , which form the _______________ and the ______________

Answer 20

spinal veins; internal vertebral venous plexus; external vertebral venous plexus

Question 21

(venous drainage)The ___________ form within the vertebral bodies, exit via formation on the vertebral surface, and drain into the internal venous plexus

Answer 21

basivertebral

Question 22

(venous drainage)The __________ receive veins from the spinal cord and the vertebral venous plexuses as they accompany spinal nerves through the intervertebral foramina.

Answer 22

intervertebral veins

Question 23

What are zygapophyseal (facet) joints; Where are they?

Answer 23

synovial joints between inferior and superior articular processes; near the intervertebral foramen

Question 24

why do dislocations without fracture only occur in the cervical region?

Answer 24

Because the articular surfaces are inclined horizontally. Cervical dislocations will stretch the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Question 25

Dislocations with fracture can be found where and why?

Answer 25

thoracic and lumbar region; because the articular surfaces are inclined vertically

Question 26

Stability of the vertebral column is mainly determined by four ligaments:

Answer 26

• anterior longitudinal ligament
• posterior longitudinal ligament
• Ligamentum flavum (LF)
• Interspinous (IS) ligaments

Question 27

explain how does a route of metastasis for breast, lung, and prostate cancer to the brain exists?

Answer 27

The internal vertebral veonus plexus, basivertebral veins, and external vertebral venous plexus surrounding the vertebral column communicate with the cranial dural sinuses and veins of the thoraz, abdomen, and pelvis

Question 28

what generally happen during the protrusion of the nucleus pulposus

Answer 28

The pulposus herniates in a posterior-laternal direction and compresses a nerve root

Question 29

Spondylolysis

Answer 29

a defect of a vertebra. More specifically it is defined as a defect in the pars interarticularis of the vertebral arch. The great majority of cases occur in the lowest of the lumbar vertebrae (L5), but spondylolysis may also occur in the other lumbar vertebrae, as well as in the thoracic vertebrae.

Question 30

Spondylolisthesis

Answer 30

the forward displacement of a vertebra, especially the fifth lumbar vertebra, most commonly occurring after a break or fracture. Backward displacement is referred to as retrolisthesis

Question 31

Hangman fracture

Answer 31

the colloquial name given to a fracture of both pedicles or pars interarticularis of the axis vertebra (C2) (or epistropheus).

Question 32

Spondylosis

Answer 32

a painful condition of the spine resulting from the degeneration of the intervertebral disks.

Question 33

Teardrop fracture

Answer 33

a fracture of the anteroinferior aspect of a cervical vertebral body due to flexion of the spine along with vertical axial compression.

Question 34

Jefferson Fracture

Answer 34

a bone fracture of the anterior and posterior arches of the C1 vertebra, though it may also appear as a three or two part fracture.

Question 35

Hyperextension (Whiplash) injury

Answer 35

A hyperextension-hyperflexion injury to the cervical spine caused by an abrupt jerking movement of the head, either in a backward or forward direction

Question 36

Chance Fracture

Answer 36

a flexion injury of the spine, first described by GQ Chance in 1948. It consists of a compression injury to the anterior portion of the vertebral body and a transverse fracture through the posterior elements of the vertebra and the posterior portion of the vertebral body

Question 37

Spina Bifida

Answer 37

a congenital defect of the spine in which part of the spinal cord and its meninges are exposed through a gap in the backbone. It often causes paralysis of the lower limbs, and sometimes mental handicap.