Vertebrae Flashcards
What is vertebral body osteoporosis
Common metabolic bone disease that is often detected during routine radiograph
Why get osteoporosis
Net demineralization of the bones caused by a disruption of the normal balance of calcium deposition and resorption …quality of bone is reduced and atrophy of skeletal tissue occurs
Most effected areas of osteoporosis
Neck of femur and bodies of vertebrae , metacarpals, and radius
How do you see osteoporosis on a radiograph
Dismissed radiodensity of the trabeculae (spongy)
What is vertical striping and why get it with osteoporosis
Loss of horizontal supporting trabeculae a thickening of vertical struts
Dense stripe seen pillars remain ok longer than rest et stripe
Later stages of osteoporosis what do you see on radiograph
Vertebral column collapse
Compression fractures
Increased thoracic kyphosis n
What vertebrae is oosteoporosis most common in
Thoracic
Laminectomy
Surgical excision of one or more spinous processes and the adjacentt supporting vertebral laminae in a particular region of the vertebral column
Or removing most of the vertebral arch by transectingg the Pedicles
Why do a laminectomy
Gain access to the vertebral canal, providing exposure of the spinal cord and/or the roots of the specific spinal nerves providing posterior exposure of the spinal cords and/or roots of specific spinal nerves
-relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots caused by a tumor , herniated disc, or bony hypertrophy
Because of their more horizontally oriented articular facets, the __ vertebrae are less tightly interlocked than other vertebrae. What does this cause
Cervical
Dislocation with neck injuries with less force than is required to fracture them
Does dislocation of the cervical vertebrae damage the spinal cord
Due to the large vertebral canal in the cervical region, slight dislocation can occur without damage
But severe dislocations or combined with fractures injure the spinal cord
If the dislocation does not result in facet jumping with locking of the displaced articular processes, the cervical vertebrae may self reduce. Clinically what is issue with this and how correct
Radiograph may not indicate cord has been injured ..USE MRI to see soft tissue damage
What is C1 called . Describe it
Atlas
Bony ring with two wedge shaped lateral masses, connected by thin anterior and posterior arches and a transverse ligament
What kind of forces damage the atlas and why
Vertical forces bc the taller side of the lateral mass is directed laterally …the vertical force compress the lateral masses between the occipital condyles and the axis drive them apart, fracturing one or both of the anterior or posterior arches THIS IS CALLED A JEFFERSON OR BURST FRACTURE
If the vertical force is very strong on the atlas, the __ __ that linkers the arches may also occur
Transverse ligament
Does Jefferson fracture/burst fracture damage the spinal cord
Not necessarily bc the dimensions of the bony ring actually increase
If also rupture the transverse ligament then spinal cord injury more likely
How would a ruptured transverse ligament be seen radiographically
Widely separated lateral masses
What is C2 and what is special about it
Axis
Most commonly fractured cervical vertebrae
Axis fracture
Usually in bony column formed by the superior and inferior articular processes of the axis, the pars inter articular is
What is a fracture of C2 pars interarticularis, called traumatic spondylolysis of C2, caused by
Hyperextension of head on neck
What causes whip lash injury
Hyperextension of head and neck
What is hyperextension of the head called
Hangman’s fracture
What may a severe injury in which the body of C2 vertebra is displaced anteriorly with respect to the body of the C3 vertebrae with or without subluxation of the aaxis cause
Qyadriplegia or death. From injury of spinal cord and or brainstem
What causes Fractures of the dens C2
Also common , caused by horizontal blow to the head or as a complication of osteopenia