Vertebral Column and Back Flashcards
Boundaries of the spine
First thoracic vertebra to the tip of the coccyx
Parts of the spine
1)
2)
1) Vertebral column
2) Muscle compartments (2xmuscle compartments
Parts of the vertebral column
1)
2)
1) Intervertebral joints and discs
2) Vertebral canal (and intervertebral foramen)
Muscle compartments of the spine
1)
2)
1) Superficial
2) Deep
Where does the spinal cord sit?
In the vertebral canal
What attaches to every spinal cord segment?
A posterior root (sensory) and an anterior root (motor)
Where does a posterior root of the spinal cord enter
Dorsal root ganglion
What are the dorsal root ganglia?
Cell bodies of sensory neurons
Number of spinal cord segments
C - 8
T - 12
L -5
S - 5
Where does the spinal cord terminate?
Between L1 and L2
Number of cervical nerves vs number of cervical vertebrae
8 cervical nerves, only 7 cervical vertebrae
Lordotic curves
Curves that develop in the primary foetal C-shaped spinal curvature
Order of lordotic curves
1) Cervical bend (lifting head)
2) Lumbar bend (walking)
Scoliosis
Abnormal lateral spinal curvature
Kyphosis
Abnormal thoracic curvature (anterior/posterior curvature)
Abnormal lordosis
Abnormal lumbar curvature
Parts of a typical vertebra 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)
1) Body
2) Pedicles
3) Transverse processes
4) Articular processes
5) Laminae
6) Spinous processes
Parts of the vertebral arch 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
1) Pedicles
2) Transverse processes
3) Articular processe
4) Laminae
5) Spinous processes
How do lumbar and thoracic vertebrae differ?
1)
2)
1) Lumbar vertebrae larger than thoracic
2) Thoracic have attachments for ribs (articular facets, demifacets)
Location of articular demifacets
Thoracic vertebra
Vertebral body
Location of articular facets
Thoracic vertebra
Transverse processes
How many times does a rib attach to a thoracic verteba?
Twice (Once on body, once on transverse process)
Where must a lumbar tap be below?
L1/L2, so as not to puncture spinal cord
What does the spinal cord become below L1/L2?
Cauda equina
Where in the spinal cord are sensory and motor nerves mixed?
Below L1/L2
What is the intervertabral foramen?
A passage for spinal nerves and vessels
Formed by notches on pedicles of adjacent vertebrae
What is always in intervertabral foramen?
Dorsal root ganglia
What is the nucleus pulposis?
Intervertebral discs
Incompressible, deformable
Keep the vertebra apart
What is the annulus fibrosis?
Keeps nucleus pulposis in place
Keeps the vertebra together
Limits range of movement
~50% of fibers resist force in a given direction
What kind of joints are those in the spine?
Secondary cartilaginous joints
What are the ligaments of the vertebral column?
1)
2)
1) Ligamentum flavum
2) Posterior longitudinal
What does the posterior longitudinal ligament do when passing over an IV disc?
Expands
Where does the posterior longitudinal ligament expand?
When passing over an IV disc
Where is the ligamentum flavum located
In intravertebral canal
Where is the posterior longitudinal ligament located?
Along posterior of vertebral column
Are there more elastic fibers in the ligamentum flavum or posterior longitudinal ligament?
Ligamentum flavum
What kind of joint is between vertebral arches?
Plane synovial joint
Properties of plane synovial joints
Limit, guide range of movement
Types of movements permitted by lumbar vertebae
Flexion, extension
Types of movements permitted by thoracic vertebrae
Rotation
What do the latissimus dorsi attach to on the midline?
A large aponeurosis on the spine
Role of erector spinae
Returning flexed spine to upright posture
Concentrically act in flexion
Role of transversospinalis
Short muscles that act as fixators
Prevent excess movement that can lead to instability
Three types of disc prolapse
Bulge
Herniation
Extrusion
Does a prolapsed disc always hurt?
No
If a bulge doesn’t enter an innervated area, no pain
Where do discs commonly prolapse into?
Posterolaterally
Because of shape of posterior longitudinal ligament
Can impinge on nerve roots
Structures threatened by disc prolapse
Nerve roots
What happens in the spine in old age?
Disc narrows
To prevent bones rubbing, osteophytes form to limit movement in spine
This can compress or damage nerve roots (spinal canal, IV foramen)
