Vertebral Column

Question 1

Excessive Kyphosis

Answer 1

humpback or hunchback

Question 2

Excessive Lordosis

Answer 2

hollow back or swayback

Question 3

Cervical rib

Answer 3

extra rib articulating with C7. Presence of cervical rib can cause a form of thoracic outlet syndrome (compression of brachial plexus or subclavian vs)

Question 4

Lumbar rib

Answer 4

extra rib articulating with L1

Question 5

Sacralization

Answer 5

L5 is partially incorporated into the sacrum

Question 6

Lumbarization

Answer 6

S1 is partially separated from the rest of the sacrum

Question 7

IV discs

Answer 7

secondary cartilaginous joints that are designed for weight-bearing and strength. Each IV disc consists of:
An annulus fibrosus which his an outer fibrous part, composed of concentric lamellae of fibro-cartilage.
A nucleus pulposus which is a gelatineous central mass. Nucleus pulposus is the core of the IV disc.

Question 8

Z joints (facet joints)

Answer 8

Plane synovial joints between the superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae. it allows some gliding and sliding movements. each joint is surrounded by a thin joint capsule

Question 9

Laminectomy

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Two spinal cord enlargements

Answer 10

cervical enlargement occurs in the region associated with the origins of spinal nerves C5-T1, which innervate the upper limbs. Lumbosacral enlargement occurs in the region associated with the origins of spinal nerves L1 to S3, which innervate the lower limbs

Question 11

Dura mater (tough mother)

Answer 11

Forms a tough, outer protective layer. Extends from the margin of foramen magnum to the level of S2. Has a subdural space (between dura and arachonoid). Has an epidural space (external to the dura). This space contains the internal vertebral venous plexus

Question 12

Arachnoid Mater

Answer 12

thin and delicate. continuous superiorly with the cerebral one and ends opposite S2 vertebra. Has subarachnoid space–> a wide space between pia and arachnoid mater, contains the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Question 13

Pia Mater

Answer 13

closely applied to the spinal cord and at L1 continues as filum terminale. The pia mater also has lateral extensions called (denticulate ligaments)

Question 14

Filum terminale

Answer 14

A delicate ligament, which extends from the conus medullaris of the spinal cord down to the coccyx. is composed mainly from pia mater. at the level of S2, the dura and arachnoid fuse with it to transverse the sacral canal to end on the back of the coccyx

Question 15

Denticulate ligament

Answer 15

toothed ligament formed by pia mater. it extends laterally pierces the arachnoid to be attached to the dura between the two spinal roots

Question 16

Filum terminale has 2 parts

Answer 16

Pial part (filum terminal internal) and Dural part (filum terminal externum)

Question 17

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

Answer 17

lumbar puncture is the passage of a needle into the subarachnoid space (CSF space) –> usually between L3 & L4 vertebrae

Question 18

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

Answer 18

1. Epidural space
2. Dura mater
3. Subdural space
4. Arachnoid mater
5. Subarachnoid space with CSF
6. Pia mater
7. Spinal cord & cauda equina

Question 19

Anterior (ventral) nerve root

Answer 19

consisting of motor (efferent) fibers

Question 20

Posterior (dorsal) nerve root

Answer 20

consisting of sensory (afferent) fibers from cell bodies in the spinal (sensory) or posterior (dorsal) root ganglion that extend peripherally to sensory endings and centrally to the posterior horn of spinal cord gray matter

Question 21

Dorsal (posterior) ramus

Answer 21

small ramus that courses dorsally to the back; conveys motor and sensory information to and from the skin and intrinsic back skeletal muscles

Question 22

Ventral (anterior) ramus

Answer 22

much larger ramus that courses laterally and ventrally; innervates all the remaining skin and skeletal muscles of the neck, limbs, and trunk