Vertebral Column Anatomy Flashcards
Where is the primary curvature of the spine?
Thoracic and sacral
Where is the secondary curvature of the spine?
Cervical and lumbar
What is kyphosis?
Increased curvature of the thoracic vertebrae with age
What is scoliosis?
L to R curvature of the back, often thoracic or lumbar. May be corrected with hardware.
What is spondylolisthesis?
The L5 body has slid forward (defect in intervertebral arch) allowing the column to slide forward.
What are the first and second vertebrae called?
Atlas and axis
What makes the atlas unique?
No vertebral body, just arch
A portion of the axis will sit in this area and allow for mobility in the neck.
What makes the axis unique?
The dens act as the vertebral body and insets into the atlas to provide mobility.
What is unique about the cervical vertebrae?
They have a transverse foramen where we find the vertebral artery! Major blood supply to the brain stem.
What is the function of the erector spinae? What nerve are they supplied by?
These are muscles that straighten up the vertebral body, very deep. Supplied by the DORSAL RAMI of the spinal nerves.
What important structure is contained within the epidural fat? Why is this significant?
The internal vertebral plexus of veins–> VALVELESS meaning blood can flow in either direction! This is a common site of cancer metastasis!
What are they three layers of the cord?
Dura mater, arachinoid, pia mater
What is the dura mater?
A connective tissue covering over the spinal cord, the “tough mother”. This is continuous through the intervertebral foramen and surrounds the spinal nerve!
What is outside of the dura mater?
The epidural space- containing the intervertebral plexus of viens
What is located under the arachinoid membrane?
The subacachnoid space which contains the CSF!
What layer is intimately attached to the spinal cord?
The pia mater, very flimsy connective tissue.
What are denticulate ligaments? What is their function?
Ligaments formed by the pia, pierce the arachnoid and attach to the dura mater. These anchor the spinal cord and provide lateral stability.
Where does the spinal cord end? What is this called?
The cord itself ends at approximately L2, this is called the conus medullaris.
What do you call nerves below the conus medullaris? What surround them? This is an extension of what?
The caudal equina, surrounded by the internal/external medullary filum which ultimately anchor the nerves to the coccyx.
What is the lumbar cistern?
Term given to the subarachnoid space with its CSF after the cord has ended. The cauda equina of nerves are within.
Structure of the intervertebral disc
Dense connective tissue on the outside called the anulus fibrosus, and inside is a jelly-like substance called the nucleus pulposus. This nucleus pulposus is the substance that ruptures out with a herniated disc.
Why is the weak spot of the disc significant?
Common site of disc bulging/herniation– this is where the nerves run so a herniation is likely to compress a nerve.
If L4 herniation, which nerve gets compressed? Where would you see symptoms?
L5, the medial foot.
Where do you inject spinal anesthesia?
Into the subarachnoid space, aka the lumbar cistern, where the CSF is.
