Vertebral Column Flashcards
Excessive Kyphosis
humpback or hunchback
Excessive Lordosis
hollow back or swayback
Cervical rib
extra rib articulating with C7. Presence of cervical rib can cause a form of thoracic outlet syndrome (compression of brachial plexus or subclavian vs)
Lumbar rib
extra rib articulating with L1
Sacralization
L5 is partially incorporated into the sacrum
Lumbarization
S1 is partially separated from the rest of the sacrum
IV discs
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.
Z joints (facet joints)
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
Laminectomy
the surgical excision of one or more spinous processes and the adjacent supporting vertebral laminae in a particular region of the vertebral column
Two spinal cord enlargements
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
Dura mater (tough mother)
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
Arachnoid Mater
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).
Pia Mater
closely applied to the spinal cord and at L1 continues as filum terminale. The pia mater also has lateral extensions called (denticulate ligaments)
Filum terminale
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
Denticulate ligament
toothed ligament formed by pia mater. it extends laterally pierces the arachnoid to be attached to the dura between the two spinal roots
Filum terminale has 2 parts
Pial part (filum terminal internal) and Dural part (filum terminal externum)
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
lumbar puncture is the passage of a needle into the subarachnoid space (CSF space) –> usually between L3 & L4 vertebrae
Arrangement of the structures in the vertebral canal (from outside to inside)
- Epidural space
- Dura mater
- Subdural space
- Arachnoid mater
- Subarachnoid space with CSF
- Pia mater
- Spinal cord & cauda equina
Anterior (ventral) nerve root
consisting of motor (efferent) fibers
Posterior (dorsal) nerve root
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
Dorsal (posterior) ramus
small ramus that courses dorsally to the back; conveys motor and sensory information to and from the skin and intrinsic back skeletal muscles
Ventral (anterior) ramus
much larger ramus that courses laterally and ventrally; innervates all the remaining skin and skeletal muscles of the neck, limbs, and trunk
