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MSK Exam II > Vertebral Column And Spinal Cord > Flashcards

Vertebral Column And Spinal Cord Flashcards

1
Q

What dictates the movements of the vertebral column?

A

The shape and position of superior and inferior articular facets

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2
Q

What type of movements occur in the lumbar region of the vertebral column?

A

Flexion and extension

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3
Q

What type of movements occur in the thoracic region of the vertebral column?

A

Rotation

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4
Q

What are the typical bony components of a vertebra?

A 
Vertebral foramen
Centrum/body
Transverse processes
Vertebral peduncles
Spinous processes
Vertebral lamina
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5
Q

Describe the body, spinous process, and vertebral foramen of a typical cervical vertebrae (C3-C7)

A

Body: small, wider side to side

Spinous process: short, bifid

Vertebral foramen: triangular

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6
Q

Describe the articular processes and movements characteristic of a typical cervical vertebrae

A

Superior and inferior articular processes - directed superoposteriorly

Movements: flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation

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7
Q

What condition is characterized by impingement of neurovasculature in cervical region by cervical ribs?

A

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

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8
Q

Aside from cervical ribs, what are some other causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

A

Fractured clavicle

Extra muscle or scar tissue in the region of the scalene muscles

Poor posture of the neck and shoulder regions

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9
Q

How many of each type of vertebrae are there?

A

Cervical = 7

Thoracic = 12

Lumbar = 5

Sacrum = 5 fused

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10
Q

What is something unique about thoracic vertebrae that is not true of the other types?

A

They articulate with ribs

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11
Q

Describe the body, spinous processes, and vertebral foramen shape of thoracic vertebrae

A

Body: heart-shaped, costal facets

Spinous process: long and sharp, project inferiorly

Vertebral foramen: circular

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12
Q

Describe the transverse processes and superior and inferior articular processes of thoracic vertebrae

A

Transverse processes: facets for ribs (except T1 and T12)

Superior and inferior articular processes: superior facets directed posteriorly, inferior facets directed anteriorly

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13
Q

What movements are allowed in thoracic vertebrae?

A

Rotation

[Lateral flexion is limited, flexion and extension are prevented]

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14
Q

Which thoracic vertebrae LACK facets for ribs?

A

T1 and T12

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15
Q

Describe the body, spinous processes, and vertebral foramen shape of lumbar vertebrae

A

Body: massive, kidney shaped

Spinous process: short and blunt, rectangular shaped, project posteriorly

Vertebral foramen: triangular

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16
Q

Describe transverse processes and superior/inferior articular processes of lumbar vertebrae

A

Transverse processes: thin and tapered

Articular processes: superior are directed posteromedially; inferior are directed anterolaterally/laterally

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17
Q

What movements are allowed at the lumbar vertebrae?

A

Flexion and extension; some lateral flexion

[rotation is prevented!]

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18
Q

The sacrum is comprised of 5 fused vertebrae, what are its primary functions?

A

Provide strength and stability to pelvis

Houses and anchors the inferior spinal cord

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19
Q

Attached to the inferior end of the sacrum are 3-4 small, fused vertebrae called the _______

A

Coccyx

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20
Q

__________ ________ is an element of surrounding soft tissue of the vertebral column composed of anterior, middle, and posterior laminae that lay out the general arrangement of musculature and fascial compartments

A

Thoracolumbar fascia

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21
Q

The anterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia covers the ventral surface of which muscle?

A

Quadratus lumborum m.

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22
Q

The middle layer of thoracolumbar fascia separates the quadratus lumborum m. from what muscle group?

A

Erector spinae group

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23
Q

The posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia lines the posterior surfaces of what 2 muscle groups?

A

Transversospinalis mm.

Erector spinae mm.

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24
Q

The stability of the vertebral column depends on what components of soft tissue?

A

Intervertebral discs between the vertebral bodies

Surrounding ligaments

Surrounding musculature

25
Q

Intervertebral discs are composed of __________ which is positioned between adjacent vertebrae.

Each disc forms a ____________ (fibrocartilaginous joint), which allows slight movement of vertebrae and acts as a ________ to hold the vertebrae together

A

Fibrocartilage

Symphysis

Ligament

26
Q

Intervertebral joints are the joints between the vertebral bodies. These are maintained by what 3 ligamentous structures?

A

Annulus fibrosis (fibrous outer layer of discs)

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Posterior longitudinal ligament

27
Q

The intervertebral joints are maintained by the annulus fibrosis, anterior longitudinal ligament, and posterior longitudinal ligament.

What are some other ligaments associated with the vertebral column?

A 
Nuchal ligament
Supraspinous ligament
Interspinous ligament
Ligamentum flava
Intertransverse ligaments
28
Q

Herniated intervertebral discs tend to occur in what region of the spine? In what direction?

A

Lumbar - typically in posterolateral direction

29
Q

Why do herniated intervertebral discs tend to occur in the posterolateral direction?

A

The posterior longitudinal ligament is not very broad; the herniated portion will take the path of least resistance

30
Q

Disc herniation in the cervical region may result in what?

A

Spinal nerve root and cord impingement

31
Q

Thoracic region disc herniation usually occurs due to what?

A

Wear and tear; disc degeneration

Also from sudden and forceful twisting of the midback region

32
Q

Why is lumbar region disc herniation the most common?

A

Lumbar region bears the most weight

Frequent bending, twisting, and improper lifting increases load on tendons and intervertebral discs

Acute or sudden injuries may occur, such as a fall where an individual lands in seated position

33
Q

T/F: How/where pain and/or dysfunction presents in a patient indicates the level of lumbar herniation

34
Q

What is the arterial supply to the cervical region of the vertebral column?

A

Vertebral a.

Cervical a.

35
Q

What is the arterial supply to the thoracic region of the vertebral column?

A

Posterior intercostal aa.

36
Q

What is the arterial supply to the lumbar region of the vertebral column?

A

Subcostal a.

Lumbar a.

37
Q

What is the arterial supply to the sacral region of the vertebral column?

A

Iliolumbar aa.
Medial sacral a.
Lateral sacral a.

38
Q

What provides venous drainage of vertebral column?

A

Internal vertebral venous plexus
External vertebral venous plexus

Basivertebral vv.
Intervertebral vv.

39
Q

What are the 3 layers of spinal meninges?

A

Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater

40
Q

Which layer of spinal meninges lines the epidural space?

A

Dura mater = tough mother

41
Q

What layer of spinal meninges contains the denticulate ligaments?

A

Pia mater (soft mother)

42
Q

Which layer of spinal meninges lines the subarachnoid space?

A

Arachnoid mater (spiderweb-like)

43
Q

Describe spinal cord anatomy in terms of length, components, enlargements, and pairs of spinal nerves associated

A

42-43 cm long

Conus medullaris, filum terminale

Cervical enlargement, lumbosacral enlargement

31 pairs of spinal nerves extending from foramen magnum at C1, extends to L2-L3

44
Q

The filum terminale of the spinal cord is associated with which layer of spinal meninges?

45
Q

Lumbar puncture is characterized by needle introduced into dural sac (lumbar cistern) by slipping past the spinal nerve roots without injuring the spinal cord or spinal nerves.

CSF samples are therefore taken between _____ and ____ vertebrae, once the patient has leaned forward to separate the spinous processes of the lumbar spine

46
Q

Lumbar anesthesia may be administered in a similar fashion to lumbar puncture for CSF collection. Epidural anesthesia is administered by placing a catheter in the epidural space without penetrating the dural sac. this may also be done by passing the needle though the ______ ______

A

Sacral hiatus

47
Q

__________ is an abnormality of the vertebral column characterized by broken vertebra due to trauma or degenerative disease

A

Spondylolysis

48
Q

Spondylolysis is a common cause of what disease?

A

Spondylolisthesis

49
Q

_________ is an abnormality of the vertebral column characterized by anterior/ventral displacement of one vertebrae on adjacent one. It is common progression from spondylolysis but may also be congenital

A

Spondylolisthesis

50
Q

Fractures at this point are associated with spondylolysis

A

Pars interarticularis - located between the inferior and superior articular facets, between the lamina, and pedicles of vertebrae

51
Q

A radiographic image resembling a “Scottie Dog” may indicate fracture in this region, with the fracture indicated by the dog’s collar

A

Pars interarticularis

52
Q

What type of pathology of the vertebrae is characterized by collapse of bone or vertebral body and can be caused by trauma or degenerative disease?

A

Compression fracture

53
Q

________ is the process of thinning or decrease in bone mass

A

Osteopenia

54
Q

____________ is the degenerative condition characterized by diminishing bone density, making bones prone to fracture

A

Osteoporosis

55
Q

___________ = excessive lateral curvature of the spine

56
Q

_________ = excessive thoracic curvature (convexity)

57
Q

___________ = excessive lumbar curvature (concavity)

58
Q

What are some causes of abnormalities/exaggerated spinal curvatures such as scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis?

A

Developmental abnormalities

Trauma

Degenerative disease

MSK Exam II (20 decks)

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