Vertebral Column And Spinal Cord

Question 1

Structure typical lumbar vertebra

Answer 1

Kidney shaped body, vertebra, arch posteriorly (spinal cord runs) formed 2 pedicules and 2 lamina, vertebral foremen (contains conus modularise, cauda equina, meninges), seven processes (2 transverse, 2 superior articulate, 2 inferior articulate, 1 spinous), facet joint connects superior and inferior articular processes 90degree to axial plane and 45degree coronal

Question 2

Structure of intervertebral discs

Answer 2

Annulus fibrosis outside- shock absorber , comprises lamellar of annular bands of collagen (outer type 1, inner fibrocartilaginous) avascular and aneural.

Neucleus pulposus- central, reminding embryonic notochord, gelatinous type 2 collagen, high nicotine lressure, decreases in height throughout day/ age. More posterior I’m adult.

Less strong under tangential loading - keep spine straight heavy loads

Question 3

Ligaments of vertebral column 5

Answer 3

Anterior longitudinal ligament- immediately anterior to vertebral bodies united with periosteum

Posterior longitudinal ligament- posterior to vertebral bodies, from C2

Ligamentous flavum- high elastin appears yellow, between laminate adjacent vertebrae

Interspinous ligaments- fibrous tissue unite spinous processes, fuse posteriorly with supraspinous ligament

Supraspinous ligament - fibrous tissue, along tips spinous processes

Question 4

Sacrum anatomy

Answer 4

5 fused vertebrae
Sarcoiliac joints, central canal (contains cauda equina 2-5 lumbar nerves, 1-5sacral nerves and coccygeal nerve arise from lumbar enlargement and conus medullaris) continuous along core of sacrum ends 4th sacral vertebra as sacral hiatus. Transverse processes of 5 sacral vertebra incompletely fused- sacral nerve fibres Exeter and leave central canal by way of 4 pairs of posterior sacral foramina.

Filum terminal continuation pia mater from conus medullaris (end of cord) to first segment of coccyx

Question 5

Patterns of spinal curvature

Answer 5

Foetus C-shapes concave anteriorly ‘primary curvature’ retained thoracic, sacral, coccygeal regions = KYPHOSIS

Young child lifts head- cervical spine develops a posterior con cavity = LORDOSIS (secondary curvature)

Crawling- lumbar spine loses primary kyphosis and straightens.

Walk- lumbar lordosis develops (secondary curvature)

Pregnancy- exaggeration lumbar lordosis

Increasing age- secondary curvatures disappear, continuous primary curvature re-established = senile kyphosis

Question 6

Typical cervical vertebra 5 features

Answer 6

C3–C6

• small and broad body
• large triangular vertebral foramen
• bifid spinous process
• transverse foramen (for vertebral artery and vein)
• articular facets in coronal plane and 45d to axial

Question 7

Atypical cervical vertebra C1 5 features and name

Answer 7

‘Atlas’

• anterior and posterior arch connected by 2 lateral masses
• widest cervical vertebra
• no spinous process or vertebral body
• superior articular facets articulate occipital condyles skull = atlanto- occipital joint (permits nodding)
• inferior articular facets articulate superior articular facets C2 = atlanto-axial joint (rotation head and neck)

Question 8

Atypical vertebra C2 name and 5 features

Answer 8

-atlanto-axial joint between C1 (rotation head)
AXIS
-pivot for atlas
-strongest cervical v
-large spinous process
-odontoid process/ dens/ odontoid peg remind the of body C1 (held by transverse ligament of atlas, acts pivot joint -> base skull

Question 9

Atlantoaxial instabilty what, 3 causes, 1 complication

Answer 9

Xs movement between C1 & C2
Can be congenital / acute trauma / degenerative causes rheumatoid arthritis
- neurological changes if spinal cord/ adjacent nerves compressed

Question 10

Atypical cervical vertebra C7 name, 2 features

Answer 10

‘Vertebra prominens’

• longest spinous process not bifid
• transverse process large but foramen transversarium small (only accessory vertebral ligaments)

Question 11

Position of exiting spinal nerve cervical spine

Answer 11

Above it’s respective vertebral body until C7/T1 junction-> C8 is exiting nerve root, leave horizontally through intervertebral foramina, no traversing Nerve root, exiting nerve root compressed in disc herniation

Question 12

Structure typical thoracic spine 7 features

Answer 12

T1-T12

• medium heart vertebral body
• small/ circular vertebral foramen
• transverse processes with costal facets (articulation ribs) bar T11 & T12
• Demi-facets T2-T8 or whole facets T9-T10 sides vertebral bodies (articulation ribs)
• superior Demi-facet articulates head adjacent rib, inferior Demi-facet head of rib below
• long, spinous processes angulated inferiorly (get shorter and less oblique from T1-> T12)
• articular facets orientated 20d coronal plane, 60d axial plane

Question 13

T1 atypical vertebra

Answer 13

Superior facet is not Demi-facet as only vertebra articulate 1st rib

Question 14

T9 and T10 atypical vertebra

Answer 14

Single pair whole facets articulate 9th and 10th ribs

Question 15

T11 and T12 atypical vertebrae

Answer 15

Single liar who,e costal facets on pedicles