Vertebral Canal and Contents

Question 1

What are the ligaments of the vertebral body

Answer 1

• anterior longitudinal ligament
• posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 2

describe the features of the anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 2

• on anterolateral aspect of vertebral bodies
• base of skull to sacrum
• 3 layers of dense collagen fibres
• deep fibres bind adjacent vertebrae together
• superficial fibres span multiple segments
  Functions:
• limits extension

Question 3

describe the posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 3

• within vertebral canal
• on posterior aspect of vertebral bodies
• from C2 to sacrum
• attached mainly to IV discs and margins of the vertebrae
• fat and vessels found between ligament and bone surface
  Functions:
• limits flexion weakly
• prevents posterior herniation of IV disc

Question 4

what are the ligaments of the vertebral arch and processes

Answer 4

• ligamentum flava
• interspinous ligaments
• supraspinous ligaments
• intertransverse ligaments
• nuchal ligament

Question 5

describe the ligamentum flava

Answer 5

• connect laminae of adjacent vertebrae
• strong elastic fibres
  Function:
• help maintain curvatures
• reinforce wall of vertebral canal posteriorly
• limit flexion

Question 6

describe the interspinous ligaments

Answer 6

• connect adjacent spinous processes
• thin
• weak
• membranous

Question 7

describe the supraspinous ligament

Answer 7

• connects the tips of spinous processes
• C7 to sacrum
• cord-like

Question 8

describe the intertransverse ligaments

Answer 8

• connect adjacent transverse processes
  cervical region - scattered fibres
  thoracic region - fibrous
  lumber region - membranous

Question 9

describe the nuchal ligament

Answer 9

• thickened fibroelastic tissue
• from external occipital protuberance, posterior border foramen magnum, spinous processes C1-7
• continuous with supraspinous ligament
  Function:
• muscle attachment
• limits flexion

Question 10

describe the foramen magnum

Answer 10

• nerve roots L1/2
• end narrows forming medullary cone

Question 11

describe the cervical enlargement

Answer 11

• nerve roots C4-T1
• nerves to UL

Question 12

describe the lumbosacral enlargement

Answer 12

• nerve roots L3-S3
• nerves to LL

Question 13

describe the cauda equina

Answer 13

• ends at L3
• lumbar and sacral roots extend below end of spinal cord

Question 14

describe the filum terminale

Answer 14

• remnant of the caudal part of spinal cord

Question 15

describe the spinal dura mater

Answer 15

• tough outer covering
• attached to coccyx inferiorly by filum terminale
• lateral extensions of spinal dura cover nerve roots as dural root sheaths

Question 16

what lies in the epidural space

Answer 16

• internal vertebral venous plexuses
• epidural fat

Question 17

describe the spinal arachnoid mater

Answer 17

• delicate membrane lining dura
• arachnoid trabeculae connect arachnoid to pia

Question 18

what lies in the subarachnoid space

Answer 18

• filled with CSF
• enlarged around conus medullaris to form lumber cistern (L2-S2)

Question 19

what is the spinal pia mater

Answer 19

• covers spinal cord, nerve roots, and spinal blood vessels

Question 20

what are the denticulate ligaments

Answer 20

• run on either side of the spinal cord between posterior and anterior nerve roots
• suspend cord in the dural sac

Question 21

describe the arterial supply of the vertebral column

Answer 21

• 1 anterior spinal artery
• 2 posterior spinal artery
• run longitudinally from medulla oblongata to conus medullaris
• supported by medullary segmental arteries
• radicular arteries supplying nerve roots

Question 22

describe the venous drainage of the vertebral column

Answer 22

• 3 ant. & 3 post. spinal veins
• drained by medullary and radicular veins
• join internal vertebral venous plexuses in epidural space