Vertebral Column

Question 1

What travels in transverse foramen and where are they found?

Answer 1

Found in cervical vertebrae only

Contain vertebral artery and vein and sympathetic nerve plexus

Question 2

How are thoracic vertebrae different?

Answer 2

Have articular facets in the sides of the body for articulation of the ribs

Question 3

Name the different vertebral groups and number of vertebrae in each

Answer 3

7 Cervical
12 Thoracic
5 Lumbar
5 Sacral
4 Coccygeal

Question 4

When does the sacrum fuse?

Answer 4

When 20-25years old

Question 5

What is lordosis?

Answer 5

Type of curvature in the lumbar region of the spine

Increases in pregnancy due to extra weight of uterus

Question 6

Name the 4 ligaments present in the vertebral column

Answer 6

Supraspinous ligament
Interspinous ligament
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 7

What is the nucleus pulposus?

Answer 7

Gelatinous mucoid substance, found in centre of intervertebral discs

Question 8

What is a prolapsed disc?

Answer 8

When part of the nucleus pulposus is forced thorugh a rupture in the annulus fibrosus (L4-L% or L5-S1 most common)

Question 9

What does the atlas articulate with?

Answer 9

C1 vertebra so articulates with occipital condyles of skull superiorly
Inferiorly with dens of axis

Question 10

What is the vertebrae prominens?

Answer 10

C7, spinous process can be felt

Question 11

Where does a lubar puncture usually take place?

Answer 11

Between L3&L4

Question 12

What is scoliosis & likely causes

Answer 12

Lateral deviation of spine

Muscle weakness, vertebral defects, compensation for hip problem?

Question 13

What is kyphosis and likely causes

Answer 13

Increased sagittal curvature in thoracic vertebrae

Muscle weakness, changes in body/disc

Question 14

What is the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 14

Connects skull to spines of cervical vertebrae

Thickening of inter and supraspinous ligament

Question 15

What muscles are involved in extension of the spine?

Answer 15

Trapezius, deltoid, lat dorsi, rhomboids, gluteus maximus

Question 16

Where do all the muscles of the posterior neck converge?

Answer 16

At the atlas and axis

Question 17

Name the muscles of the posterior neck

Answer 17

Longus colli, scalenes (anterior, medius, posterior)

Question 18

For counterclockwise movement of spine (w/ pelvis fixed) what muscles are used?

Answer 18

Right external oblique and L internal oblique

Question 19

How does the quadratus lumborum aid in the breathing?

Answer 19

Pulls down 12th rib so aids in inspiration

Question 20

What is the dens also known as?

Answer 20

The odontoid process

Question 21

What are the characteristics of the axis?

Answer 21

The dens (odontoid process) and bifid spinous process

Question 22

What limits excessive rotation of the head?

Answer 22

The alar ligament

Attached to dens and lateral foramen magnum

Question 23

What communicates with the internal vertebral venous plexus?

Answer 23

Vertebral, posterior, intercostal, lumbar and sacral veins via 4 intervertebral segmental veins