Vertebral Column

Question 1

Vertebral column

Answer 1

33 vertebrae - 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 4 coccyx

Question 2

Kyphosis

Answer 2

Original spinal curvature since birth; maintained in the thoracic and sacral region; primary curvature; and concave anteriorly (outwards)

Question 3

Lordosis

Answer 3

New curvature; found in the cervical and lumbar region; secondary curvature; concave posteriorly (inwards)

Question 4

Cervical lordosis

Answer 4

Secondary curvature acquired when the infant can support the weight of the head

Question 5

Lumbar lordosis

Answer 5

Secondary curvature acquired when the infant walks and supports his/her own weight

Question 6

Excessive kyphosis

Answer 6

Humpback, hunchback

Question 7

Excessive lordosis

Answer 7

Hollowback, swayback

Question 8

Scoliosis

Answer 8

Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine

Question 9

Which vertebrae contain transverse foramen?

Answer 9

Cervical vertebrae

Question 10

Which vertebrae bear facets for the ribs?

Answer 10

Thoracic vertebrae

Question 11

Which vertebrae have a massive body?

Answer 11

Lumbar vertebrae - intended to support more weight

Question 12

What is the sacrum composed of?

Answer 12

5 fused vertebrae

Question 13

What is the coccyx composed of?

Answer 13

4 vertebrae, with the last 3 often fused into a single bone

Question 14

What does the coccyx lack?

Answer 14

Vertebral arches and a vertebral canal

Question 15

Cervical rib

Answer 15

Extra rib articulating with C7. The presence of a cervical rib can cause a form of thoracic outlet syndrome (compression of the brachial plexus or subclavian Vs)

Question 16

Lumbar rib

Answer 16

Extra rib articulating with L1

Question 17

Sacralization

Answer 17

L5 is partially incorporated into the sacrum

Question 18

Lumbarization

Answer 18

S1 is separated from the rest of the sacrum

Question 19

Intervertebral discs

Answer 19

Joints of the vertebral bodies

Question 20

What do IV discs contain?

Answer 20

IV discs are secondary cartilaginous joints designed for weight-bearing and strength. It contains an annulus fibrosis, which is an outer fibrous part, composed of concentric lamellae of fibro-cartilage, as well as a nucleus pulposus, which is a gelatinous central mass.

Question 21

Herniated disc

Answer 21

A protrusion of the nucleus pulposus into or through the annulus fibrosis

Question 22

Z discs

Answer 22

Joints of the vertebral arches

Question 23

Where are Z discs found and what do they do?

Answer 23

Z discs are found between superior and inferior articular processes/facets. They allow for some gliding and sliding movement.

Question 24

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 24

Connects anterior vertebral bodies and IV discs

Question 25

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 25

Connects posterior vertebral bodies and IV discs

Question 26

LIgamentum flavum

Answer 26

Connects adjacent vertebral laminae

Question 27

Interspinous ligament

Answer 27

Connects vertebral spines

Question 28

Supraspinous ligament

Answer 28

Connects vertebral spine tips

Question 29

Intertransverse ligament

Answer 29

Connects vertebral transverse processes

Question 30

Ligamentum nuchae

Answer 30

A strong triangular ligament at the back of the neck. It is essentially the direct continuation of the supraspinous ligament

Question 31

Laminectomy

Answer 31

The surgical excision of one or more spinous processes and the adjacent supporting vertebral laminae in a particular region of the vertebral column

Question 32

The spinal cord begins as...

Answer 32

A continuation of the medulla oblongata (the caudal part of the brainstem)

Question 33

The spinal cord ends as...

Answer 33

The conus medullaris

Question 34

Where does the spinal cord lie?

Answer 34

It lies in the vertebral canal and it extends from the foramen magnum to the level of L1 or L2 (in adults) or L3 (in children)

Question 35

Cauda equina

Answer 35

The loose bundle of spinal nerve roots arising from the lumbosacral enlargement and the conus medullaris

Question 36

Grey matter of the spinal cord

Answer 36

Cell bodies, soma

Question 37

White matter of the spinal cord

Answer 37

Axons, tracts

Question 38

Cervical enlargement of the spinal cord

Answer 38

From C5 to T1, innervates the upper limbs

Question 39

Lumbosacral enlargement of the spinal cord

Answer 39

From L1 to S3, innervates the lower limbs

Question 40

Arterial supply of the spinal cord

Answer 40

One anterior spinal artery and two posterior spinal arteries

Question 41

Venous drainage of the spinal cord

Answer 41

Drain into an extensive internal vertebral plexus in the extradural (epidural) space of the vertebral canal

Question 42

Dura mater

Answer 42

Forms a tough, outer protective layer. Extends from the margin of the foramen magnum to the level of S2. Has a subdural and an epidural space

Question 43

Arachnoid mater

Answer 43

Very thin and delicate, contains subarachnoid space

Question 44

Subarachnoid space

Answer 44

A wide space between the pia and arachnoid mater that contains CSF, ends opposite S2

Question 45

Pia mater

Answer 45

Close to the spinal cord and continues as the filum terminale; contains lateral extensions called denticulate ligaments

Question 46

Filum terminale

Answer 46

A thin and delicate ligament which extends from the conus medullaris to the coccyx. It is composed primarily of pia mater. It has two parts - pial and dural

Question 47

Denticulate ligament

Answer 47

A toothed ligament formed by the pia mater that extends laterally and pierces the arachnoid to be attached to the dura between two spinal roots

Question 48

Lumbar puncture

Answer 48

A spinal tap; the passage of a needle into the subarachnoid space between L3 and L4 to obtain CSF or to inject treatments

Question 49

List the arrangement of structures in the vertebral canal (from the outside to inside)

Answer 49

``` Epidural space Dura mater Subdural space Arachnoid space Subarachnoid space with CSF Pia mater Spinal cord and cauda equina ```

Question 50

Spinal nerves

Answer 50

There are 31 spinal nerves, 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccyx

Question 51

Anterior (ventral) nerve roots

Answer 51

Consist of motor (efferent) fibers

Question 52

Posterior (dorsal) nerve roots

Answer 52

Consist of sensory (afferent) fibers

Question 53

Mixed spinal nerve

Answer 53

The posterior and the anterior nerve roots unite at around the intervertebral foramen which divides into two rami; contain both sensory and motor fibers

Question 54

Dorsal (posterior) rami

Answer 54

Small ramus that conveys motor and sensory information to the skin and the intrinsic back skeletal muscles

Question 55

Ventral (anterior) rami

Answer 55

Large ramus that conveys motor and sensory information to the skin and the skeletal muscles of the neck, limbs, and trunk