Vertebral Column

Question 1

What are the components of the vertebral arch?

Answer 1

• Pedicle
• Transverse process
• Lamina
• Spinous process

Question 2

What are the foramen in a typical vertebra?

Answer 2

• Vertebral foramen: contains the spinal cord and its meningeal coverings
• Transverse foramen (only cervical vertebrae): passageway for the vertebral artery and vein
• Intervertebral foramen: formed from the vertebral notches of two adjoining vertebrae; contains spinal nerve roots, dorsal root ganglia, and associated blood vessels

Question 3

What is referred to as the “yes-yes” joint?

Answer 3

Atlas (only movement b/t occiput and C1 is slight flexion-extension, or nodding)

Question 4

What is referred to as the “no-no” joint?

Answer 4

Axis (main movement b/t C1 and C2 is rotation of C1 around dens)

Question 5

What is another name for the dens of C2?

Answer 5

Odontoid process

Question 6

What is unique about C7?

Answer 6

It only has a vertebral vein running through its transverse foramen (vertebral artery runs through the foramen transversarium of C1 to C6).

Question 7

What is the cauda equina?

Answer 7

Collection of dorsal and ventral roots of the lower lumbar and sacral spinal nerves below the spinal cord.

Question 8

Where is a lumbar puncture typically performed?

Answer 8

Between L4 and L5 (easy landmark for L4 is top of iliac crest).

Question 9

Because of their structure and interconnections, which veins are especially important in the metastatic spread of breast cancer?

Answer 9

internal vertebral venous plexus (veins of the plexus do not have valves so cancer cells can travel freely)

Question 10

In which direction does a herniated disc usually occur?

Answer 10

posterolateral (slips into intervertebral foramen)

Question 11

Where is the conus medullaris normally positioned?

Answer 11

between T12 and L2