Vertebral column

Question 1

What structure guides the development of the vertebral column and spinal cord

Answer 1

notochord

Question 2

What gives rise to the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc

Answer 2

notochord

Question 3

Name characteristics of the cervical vertebra

Answer 3

rectangular body, bifid spinous, transverse foramina in transverse process with anterior and posterior tubercles

Question 4

Name the characteristics of thoracic vertebra

Answer 4

heart shaped, costal facets on body and each transverse

Question 5

name the characteristics of the lumbar vertebra

Answer 5

kidney-shaped, mammillary and accessory processes

Question 6

Which lumbar vertebra has the longest and which has the largest transverse process

Answer 6

Longest: L3
Largest: L5

Question 7

Describe the different atypical vertebra

Answer 7

C1: no body, large lateral mass, anterior arch and posterior arch with groove for vertebral a.
C2: dens (odontoid process) is present
C7: Vertebral prominens, long non-bifid spinous process

Question 8

Regional orientation of the superior articular facets

Answer 8

Cervical: BUM
Thoracic: BUL
Lumbar: BM
Inferior articular facets face in the opposite direction

Question 9

Describe the anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 9

Extends from the sacrum to basal part of the occiput
thicker and stronger than posterior
prevents hyperextension of the spine

Question 10

Describe the posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 10

extends from C2 to the sacrum
thin and weak, prevents hyperflexion
continues as the tectorial membrane upwards and beyond C2

Question 11

Describe the supraspinous ligamet

Answer 11

connects the tips of the spinous processes
prevents hyperflexion
continues as the NUCHAL ligament upwards and beyond C7

Question 12

Describe the interspinous ligament

Answer 12

runs inbetween the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae

prevents posterior translation and limits flexion

Question 13

Describe the ligamentum flavum ligament

Answer 13

extends from the laminae of adjacent veretbra

contains a lot of elastic tissue, which limits flexion and prevents buckling in extension

Question 14

Describe the intertransverse ligament

Answer 14

runs between the transverse process of adjacent vertebrae

limits lateral bending

Question 15

Describe the alar ligament

Answer 15

originates from the posterior and lateral aspects of the dens
inserts into the medial aspect of the condyle of the occiput
limits axial rotation

Question 16

Describe the apical ligament

Answer 16

arises from the apex of the dens
inserts into the anterior aspect of the foramen magnum
may limit flexion and extension of C2

Question 17

Describe the cruciate ligament

Answer 17

Composed of:
Transverse ligament - extends between colliculus atlantis
superior longitudinal - extends from the middle of the transverse to the anterior lip of the foramen membrane between the tectorial membrane and apical ligament
inferior longitudinal - ligament extends from the middle of the transverse to the body of C2
Limits lateral translation

Question 18

Describe the composition of the intervertebral disc

Answer 18

Fibrocartilaginous sandwich with outer type I and inner type II collagen fibers

Question 19

Describe the outer part of the intervertebral disc

Answer 19

Called the anulus fibrosus which has 15 to 20 concentric laminae angled at 65 degrees

Question 20

Describe the inner part of the intervertebral disc

Answer 20

Called the nucleus pulposus, has a gelatinous consistency, contains proteoglycans to attract water, thickest in the lumbar and thinnest in the thoracics

Question 21

What part of the intervertebral disc is innervated

Answer 21

outer 1/3 of the annlus fibrosus
sinuvertebral (recurrent meningeal) posteriorly and sensory nerves from the grey sympathetic communicantes anterolaterally

Question 22

Describe the vascularity and nourishment of the intervertebral disc

Answer 22

it is not well-vascularized, it is nourished by diffusion (imbibition) that is facilitated by movement of the spine

Question 23

How many intervertebral discs are there

Answer 23

23 since there is no disc between C1 and C2

Question 24

What are the contents of the IVF

Answer 24

contains spinal nerve, spinal nerve roots, dorsal root ganglion, spinal artery, veins, two to four sinuvertebral a. fat and transforaminal ligaments

Question 25

What is contained within the spinal canal

Answer 25

spinal cord, spinal nerve roots, dura, arachnoid, and pia mater, CSF, blood vessels, and CT

Question 26

Where is the spinal cord smallest? largest?

Answer 26

Smallest in thoracics, largest in cervical s

Question 27

Where is the most common site for cord compression (myelopathy)

Answer 27

Cervicals since the spinal cord is widest at C6

Question 28

Describe the shape of the spinal canal

Answer 28

Cervical: triangular, thoracics: oval, lumbar: triangular