Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Flashcards
Identify Vertebral Spine -Identify
Vertebral Spine -Identify
Anatomy of a Thoracic Vertebra - Identify
Anatomy of a Thoracic Vertebra - Identify
The thoracic vertebrae are numbered 1-___ and articulate with each rib ___.
They gradually increase in size as you head more ___ and get closer to the ___ spine.
The joints with the ribs are called the ___ ___. They are where the ___ of the ___ articulate with the thoracic spine (1st rib with T1).
The vertebral body is separated by ___ ___ which are squishy, gelatinous discs that provide the___/___ for the spine so that we can ___.
The ___ ___ is a hole/passageway for the spinal cord.
The ___ ___ is the most posterior portion of each vertebral body.
The superior articular process and inferior articular process makes the ___ ___. The space between the SAP and the IAP of the same vertebra is called the ___ ___. 2 diff vertebrae= ___ ___. Same vertebra = ___ ___
___ ___ are seen between 2 adjoining vertebrae
The thoracic vertebrae are numbered 1-12 and articulate with each rib posteriorly.
They gradually increase in size as you head more distal and get closer to the lumbar spine.
The joints with the ribs are called the costal facets. They are where the heads of the ribs articulate with the thoracic spine (1st rib with T1).
The vertebral body is separated by intervertebral discs which are squishy, gelatinous discs that provide the motilily/cushion for the spine so that we can move.
The vertebral foramen/foramina is a hole/passageway for the spinal cord.
The spinous process is the most posterior portion of each vertebral body.
The superior articular process and inferior articular process makes the zygopopheseal joint. The space between the SAP and the IAP of the same vertebra is called the pars interarticularis. 2 diff vertebrae= joint space. Same vertebra = pars interarticularis
Intervertebral foramina are seen between 2 adjoining vertebrae
Anatomy of a Lumbar Vertebra - Identify
Anatomy of a Lumbar Vertebra - Identify
We have ___ lumbar vertebrae. Some people have an extra one and its called a ___ ___ ___.
L5 articulates with the top of the ___.
The lumbar vertebrae are a little bigger in size as far as the ___ and ___ ____.
They gradually increase in size - L__ might be a little bigger than L__. But generally same size.
We have 5 lumbar vertebrae. Some people have an extra one and its called a transtional lumbar vertebrae.
L5 articulates with the top of the sacrum.
The lumbar vertebrae are a little bigger in size as far as the bodies and spinous processes.
They gradually increase in size - L5 might be a little bigger than L4. But generally same size.
What are the routine projections, SID, and kVp of the thoracic spine?
Routine projections =
SID =
kVp =
What are the routine projections, SID, and kVp of the thoracic spine?
Routine projections = AP and lateral
SID = 40-48”
kVp = 80
AP T-Spine
Patient is ___ with both arms along the sides of the body.
Direct CR perpendicular to ___.
As a quick check, the upper edge of the IR should lie about ___ inches above the upper border of the ___.
Cone down to the ___.
Exposure should be made on ___.
All 12 thoracic vertebrae should be demonstrated with uniform ___.
AP T-Spine
Patient is supine with both arms along the sides of the body.
Direct CR perpendicular to T7.
As a quick check, the upper edge of the IR should lie about 2 inches above the upper border of the shoulders.
Cone down to the spine.
Exposure should be made on expiration.
All 12 thoracic vertebrae should be demonstrated with uniform density.
Lateral T-Spine
Place the patient in a ___ ___ ___ position and adjust the arms at ___ angles to the ___ axis of the body to elevate the ___.
Position top edge of the IR ___ inches above the shoulders.
Direct the CR perpendicular to ___ and cone down to the spine.
To diffuse the shadows of the ___ markings and the ___, the exposure should be made during ___ ___.
All thoracic vertebrae should be demonstrated. If not, a ___ ___ must be taken.
Lateral T-Spine
Place the patient in a recumbent left lateral position and adjust the arms at right angles to the long axis of the body to elevate the ribs.
Position top edge of the IR 1-2 inches above the shoulders.
Direct the CR perpendicular to T7 and cone down to the spine.
To diffuse the shadows of the vascular markings and the ribs, the exposure should be made during quiet breathing.
All thoracic vertebrae should be demonstrated. If not, a swimmer’s lateral must be taken.
Swimmer’s - T Spine
Place the patient in an ___ or ___ left lateral position with the left arm placed straight up by the ___ and the right arm ___ down by their side.
Angle the tube ___° ___ and shoot through the ___-___ interspace, which is about 2 inches above the ___ ___.
Cone down to the spine.
The ___ region should be well-demonstrated on this film.
Swimmer’s - T Spine
Place the patient in an upright or recumbent left lateral position with the left arm placed straight up by the ear and the right arm depressed down by their side.
Angle the tube 5° caudal and shoot through the C7-T1 interspace, which is about 2 inches above the jugular notch.
Cone down to the spine.
The cervicothoracic region should be well-demonstrated on this film.
What are the routine projections, SID, and kVp of the lumbar spine?
Routine projections =
SID =
kVp =
What are the routine projections, SID, and kVp of the lumbar spine?
Routine projections = AP and lateral
SID = 40-48”
kVp = 80
AP L-Spine
Place the patient in the ___ position.
Reduce lumbar ___ by ___ the hips and ___ the knees enough to place the back in firm contact with the ___.
Direct the CR to the ___ plane at the level of ___, at the ___ ___.
Center IR to CR.
Cone down to spine while including both ___ joints.
The exposure is made at the end of ___.
All 5 lumbar vertebrae must be included with the ___ ___ central on the vertebral bodies.
AP L-Spine
Place the patient in the supine position.
Reduce lumbar lordosis by flexing the hips and bending the knees enough to place the back in firm contact with the table.
Direct the CR to the midsaggital plane at the level of L4, at the iliac crests.
Center IR to CR.
Cone down to spine while including both sacroiliac joints.
The exposure is made at the end of expiration.
All 5 lumbar vertebrae must be included with the spinous processes central on the vertebral bodies.
Lateral L-Spine
Rotate the patient into a ___ ___ position.
Flex the ___ and ___, keeping the ___ superimposed to prevent rotation of the ___.
Direct the CR over the spine at the level of the ___ ___ (level of ___).
Center IR to CR and cone down to the spine.
Exposure is made at ___ of ___.
Lateral projection will demonstrate the ___ ___, ___ ___ spaces, and ___ ___.
Lateral L-Spine
Rotate the patient into a left lateral position.
Flex the hips and knees, keeping the knees superimposed to prevent rotation of the pelvis.
Direct the CR over the spine at the level of the iliac crest (level of L4).
Center IR to CR and cone down to the spine.
Exposure is made at end of expiration.
Lateral projection will demonstrate the lumbar bodies, intervertebral disk spaces, and intervertebral foramina.
L5-S1 Spot
This ___ projection of the ___ junction may be part of a hospital system’s protocol, can be specifically ordered by a physician, or is taken if the ___ junction is not well demonstrated on the routine lateral projection.
The body positioning is the same as for a routine lateral projection.
Direct the CR __° ___, midway between the ___ ___ and the ___.
Center the IR to CR and cone down to ___.
Expose at the ___ of ___.
This projection demonstrates the ___ junction.
L5-S1 Spot
This lateral projection of the lumbosacral junction may be part of a hospital system’s protocol, can be specifically ordered by a physician, or is taken if the L5-S1 junction is not well demonstrated on the routine lateral projection.
The body positioning is the same as for a routine lateral projection.
Direct the CR 5° caudal, midway between the iliac crest and the ASIS.
Center the IR to CR and cone down to L5-S1.
Expose at the end of expiration.
This projection demonstrates the lumbosacral junction.
What are the routine projections, SID, and kVp of special request lumbar spine projections?
Routine projections =
SID =
kVp =
What are the routine projections, SID, and kVp of special request lumbar spine projections?
Routine projections = AP oblique projections and Flexion & Extension
SID = 40-48”
kVp = 80
AP Oblique Projection, L-Spine
Oblique projections should be taken immediately following the AP projection.
Have the patient turn from the ___ position about __° to an ___ or ___ position.
Direct the CR __” ___ to the elevated ___ and __” above the ___ ___.
Center the IR to CR and cone to the spine and use markers.
Both obliques are performed for ___.
The patient is properly positioned when the ___ ___ are visible, or the vertebrae have the appearance of “___ ___”. Demonstrates the ___ ___ closest to the IR. Side down is side ___.The ___ ___ are located between the ___ ___ ___ (front leg of dog) and the ___ ___ ___ (dog ear) of the vertebra immediately below.
AP Oblique Projection, L-Spine
Oblique projections should be taken immediately following the AP projection.
Have the patient turn from the supine position about 45° to an RPO or LPO position.
Direct the CR 2” medial to the elevated ASIS and 1” above the iliac crest.
Center the IR to CR and cone to the spine and use markers.
Both obliques are performed for comparison.
The patient is properly positioned when the zygapophyseal joints are visible, or the vertebrae have the appearance of “Scottie dogs”. Demonstrates the zygapophyseal joints closest to the IR. Side down is side demonstrated.The zygapophyseal joints are located between the inferior articular process (front leg of dog) and the superior articular process (dog ear) of the vertebra immediately below.
Flexion & Extension, L-Spine
Position the patient in the left lateral ___ position as if for a standing lateral projection.
For FLEXION, have the patient lean ___ as if trying to touch ___.
For EXTENSION, have the patient lean ___ while holding on to the bar for ___.
Direct the CR over the spine at the level of the ___ ___ (___) for both projections.
Center the IR to the CR and cone down to the spine.
Flexion & Extension views will demonstrate ___ of the spine, or a lack of ___ in cases of ___ ___ or ___ ___.
Flexion & Extension, L-Spine
Position the patient in the left lateral erect position as if for a standing lateral projection.
For FLEXION, have the patient lean forward as if trying to touch toes.
For EXTENSION, have the patient lean back while holding on to the bar for stability.
Direct the CR over the spine at the level of the iliac crest (L4) for both projections.
Center the IR to the CR and cone down to the spine.
Flexion & Extension views will demonstrate motion of the spine, or a lack of motion in cases of spinal fusion or herniated disks.
Spine Pathology
- SCOLIOSIS* - An ___ ___ ___ of the spine, which cause the vertebrae to rotate toward the ___. Scoliosis is demonstrated on the ___ or ___ projection.
- KYPHOSIS* - An ___ of the normal ___ ___ of the spine. Excessive curvature of the spine with ___ ___. Kyphosis is demonstrated on the ___ projection.
- LORDOSIS* - Any abnormal ___ in the ___ ___ of the ___ or ___ curvature. Lordosis is demonstrated on the ___ projection.
Spine Pathology
- SCOLIOSIS* - An abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, which cause the vertebrae to rotate toward the concavity. Scoliosis is demonstrated on the AP or PA projection.
- KYPHOSIS* - An exaggeration of the normal posterior curve of the spine. Excessive curvature of the spine with convexity backward. Kyphosis is demonstrated on the lateral projection.
- LORDOSIS* - Any abnormal increase in the anterior convexity of the lumbar or cervical curvature. Lordosis is demonstrated on the lateral projection.
