Vertebrae and Ligaments of the Spinal Cord

Question 1

How many bones make up the spine?

Answer 1

33

Question 2

Name the unique feature of a cervial vertebrae

Answer 2

Formamen transversium

Question 3

Name the unique feature of a thoracic vertebrae

Answer 3

Costal facets

Question 4

Name the unique feature of a lumbar vertebrae

Answer 4

maxillary processes and accessory processes

Question 5

Describe the vertebral foramen of;

a) Cervical
b) Thoracic
c) Lumbar

vertebrae

Answer 5

a) Cervical- large & triangular
b) Thoracic- Circular & small
c) Lumbar- triangular and small

Question 6

Describe the spinous processes of;

a) Cervical
b) Thoracic
c) Lumbar

vertebrae

Answer 6

a) Cervical- short & bifid
b) Thoracic- long and posterior sloping
c) Lumbar- short, sturdy & rectangular

Question 7

Name the 4 main functions of the vertebral column

Answer 7

1. Weight bearing
2. Protection of the spinal cord, spinal nerves and blood vessels
3. Movement
4. Site of muscle attachments

Question 8

What is the function of the curvatures in the spine?

Answer 8

shock absorption

Question 9

What is a c shaped curvature in the spine called

Answer 9

Lordosis

Question 10

What are ↄ shaped curvatures in the spine called?

Answer 10

Kyphosis

Question 11

Where in the spine can you find lordosis?

Answer 11

Cervical and lumbar regions

Question 12

Where in the body can you find kyphosis?

Answer 12

Thoracic and sacral regions

Question 13

What is the main function of an intervertebral disk?

Answer 13

Shock Absorption

Question 14

Name the two anatomical regions of an intervertebral disk

Answer 14

Nucleus pulosus (central) & annulus fibrosis (outer layers)

Question 15

What is the annulus fibrosis made from?

Answer 15

Layers of fibrocartilage

Question 16

Why does a herniated disk cause back pain?

Answer 16

Herniated disks can compress spinal nerves

Question 17

What is the name of the joints that exist between the body of vertebrae and what kind of joint is it?

Answer 17

Intervertebral joints which are secondary cartilaginous

Question 18

What is the name of the joints that exist between the vertebral arches of vertebrae and what kind of joint is it?

Answer 18

Facet joints which are synovial plane joints

Question 19

What kind of joint lies between ribs and vertebrae?

Answer 19

Synovial plane

Question 20

What kind of joint exists between the skull and the atlas?

Answer 20

Synovial ellipsoid

Question 21

What kind of joint exists between the atlas and the axis?

Answer 21

Synovial pivot, plain (lateral)

Question 22

What do the ligaments of the spinal column help to prevent?

Answer 22

Over flexion/extension

Question 23

Name the ligament that covers the anterior spinal cord?

Answer 23

Anterior longitudinal ligament covers the outside of the anterior spinal cord

Question 24

What is the name of the ligament that lies between laminae in the spinal column

Answer 24

Ligamentum flavum

Question 25

Where would you find the transverse ligament of the atlas?

Answer 25

Across the top of the atlas (it extends between the lateral muscles of the atlas). It surrounds the dens

Question 26

what can happen if the transverse ligament of the atlas breaks?

Answer 26

you can get dislocation of the pivot joint (which ordinarily allows you to turn your head). If the dens hits the spinal cord when it breaks, it could cause quadriplegia (paralysis of all 4 limbs). Additionally, if the dens touches the respiratory centre in the medullary oblongata (in the brainstem) it can cause death.