Vertebral Column

Question 1

What are the functions of the spinal cord?

Answer 1

It projects weight onto the pelvis and lower limbs and also protects the passage of the spinal cord. It has a role in shock absorption, as well as the segmental innervation of the body.

Question 2

How do vertebral bodies change down the spine?

Answer 2

They increase in size and are subjected to a higher compression force.

Question 3

Name two boney structures which are supported by the spinal column.

Answer 3

Skull and the ribs.

Question 4

Name the parts of the vertebral arch and which is closer to the ventral body?

Answer 4

Lamina and pedicle. The pedicle is closest to the vertebral body.

Question 5

What different processes are present on a vertebrae?

Answer 5

Transverse, spinous, articulating processes.

Question 6

Through where on vertebrae do spinal nerves emerge?

Answer 6

The intervertebral foramina.

Question 7

State the synovial joint which is present between vertebrae.

Answer 7

There is a synovial joint between the superior and inferior articulating processes which are lined with cartilage.

Question 8

What structures make the intervertebrae foramina?

Answer 8

The superior and inferior notches.

Question 9

What type of joint is the articulation of superior and inferior articulating processes?

Answer 9

Facet Joint

Question 10

What type of joints are the interventricular discs?

Answer 10

These are cartilaginous and amphiarthrosis.

Question 11

What are the two parts of an intervertebral disc?

Answer 11

Annulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus.

Question 12

What can be said about the bands of the annulus pulposus?

Answer 12

The outer bands are cartilaginous and the inner are fibrocartilaginous. They are avascular, aneural and major shock absorbers.

Question 13

What is a property of the nucleus pulposus?

Answer 13

It has high osmotic pressure and sucks water in. It is a gelatinous remnant of the notochord.

Question 14

Where do slipped discs normally occur?

Answer 14

L4/5 or L5/S1. Posterior laterally at these places and this leads to nerve root compression.

Question 15

What are the four stages of a slipped disc?

Answer 15

Disc degeneration, prolapse, extrusion, sequestrian.

Question 16

What is the difference between disc degeneration and prolapse?

Answer 16

Disc degeneration includes weakening of the disc with age. Prolapse is when there is protrusion leading to impingement of the spinal cord.

Question 17

What is the difference between extrusion and sequestrian?

Answer 17

In both cases the nucleus pulposus breaks through the annulus fibrosis. In extrusion this remains within the disc space but with sequestrian this causes compression by lying outside of the disc space.

Question 18

What is marginal osteophytosis?

Answer 18

This is where the nucleus pulposus dehydrates and so the disc decreases in height changing load stresses and leading to margin osteophytosis adjacent to the affected end plates.

Question 19

What is cervical spondylosis?

Answer 19

Degenerative osteoarthritis of the intervertebral joints in the cervical spine. This leads to compression of the nerve roots as foramina size is decreased.

Question 20

What is the name for when there is pressure on nerve roots?

Answer 20

Radiculopathy

Question 21

What are some symptoms of Radiculopathy?

Answer 21

Dermatomes sensory symptoms and myotomal motor weakness.

Question 22

What is myelopathy?

Answer 22

This is global weakness and gait dysfunction caused by pressure on the spinal cord.

Question 23

Name a distinguishing feature of the thoracic vertebrae compared to other vertebrae?

Answer 23

They have Demi-facets and costal facets for articulation of the ribs.

Question 24

Describe the vertebral foramen on the thoracic vertebrae.

Answer 24

Small and circular vertebral foramen.

Question 25

What movements are permitted in the thoracic region of the spine?

Answer 25

Flexion is limited, but rotation is permitted.

Question 26

What is the common movement in the lumbar spine?

Answer 26

Flexion.

Question 27

What can be said about the foramen of the lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 27

They have small triangular foramen.

Question 28

Name two distinguishing features of cervical vertebrae.

Answer 28

They have transverse foramen in the transverse processes and they have buried spinous processes.

Question 29

What structures pass through the cervical transverse foreman?

Answer 29

Vertebral artery and vein.

Question 30

Describe the vertebral body of a cervical vertebrae.

Answer 30

The vertebral body is small but broad side to side

Question 31

What is the name of the first cervical vertebrae?

Answer 31

Atlas.

Question 32

Describe the vertebral foramen of the cervical vertebrae.

Answer 32

It is large and triangular.

Question 33

What joint facilitates nodding of the head?

Answer 33

Atlanto-occipital joint of atlas and the occipital of the skull.

Question 34

What movement is facilitated at the Atlanto-axial joint?

Answer 34

Lateral rotation of the head. (Shaking)

Question 35

Describe the structure of C2.

Answer 35

This has an odontoid process called Dens and a large spinous process.

Question 36

What structure maintains the position of Dens within the C1 vertebrae?

Answer 36

Transverse ligament.

Question 37

What type of X-ray is used to identify peg fracture of C2?

Answer 37

Open mouth

Question 38

What is a hangmans fracture?

Answer 38

This is caused by hyperextension of the neck and leads to fracture through the pedicles.

Question 39

What is a Jeffersons fracture?

Answer 39

This is fracture of the anterior and posterior arches of the atlas caused by an axial load.

Question 40

What is different about C7 compared to all of the other cervical vertebrae?

Answer 40

It has a large spinous process which is non-bifid

Question 41

What happens during whiplash injury?

Answer 41

In whiplash injury, there is hyperextension or hyperflexion and this leads to compression and then release of the spinal cord.

Question 42

What is the shape of the spine in a fetus?

Answer 42

It shows primary curvature - a C shaped kyphosis.

Question 43

Where in the adult spine are lordosises present?

Answer 43

In the cervical and lumbar regions.

Question 44

What is senile kyphosis?

Answer 44

This is loss of secondary curvatures of the spine and reestablishment of primary curvature.

Question 45

What happens to spine curvature during pregnancy?

Answer 45

In pregnancy, the lumbar lordosis is exacerbated.

Question 46

What is scheuermann’s disease?

Answer 46

This is where there is uneven growth leading to a longer posterior border to anterior usually in the thoracic region.

Question 47

What is scoliosis?

Answer 47

This is lateral curvature of the spine and is usually cosmetic implications. When severe it can cause decreased lung capacity.

Question 48

What problems are associated with kyphoscoliosis?

Answer 48

Reduced lung capacity, pulmonary hypertension and spinal cord compression.

Question 49

What is the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 49

This is found on the front of the vertebral bodies and prevents hyper extension.

Question 50

Where is the posterior longitudinal ligament found?

Answer 50

It is found on the back of the vertebral bodies and prevents hyperflexion.

Question 51

What is the ligamentous flavum?

Answer 51

This is between the lamina of adjacent vertebrae of the spine and is stretched during flexion.

Question 52

What is the role of the interspinous ligament?

Answer 52

These are relatively weak sheets of fibrous tissue which unite spinous processes.

Question 53

What is the supraspinous ligament?

Answer 53

This is fused with the interventricular ligament and joins the tips of the adjacent spinous processes.

Question 54

What is the ligamentous nache?

Answer 54

This attaches to the occipital protuberance and also the C spine vertebrae. Secondary curvature of the spine is maintained and it also acts as a major attachment for muscles of the neck and trunk.