Vertebral column: vertebral canal Flashcards

1
Q

ligaments of the vertebral column can be divided into what groups

A

ligaments of the body ligaments of the arch and processes

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2
Q

what are the 2 subdivisions of ligaments of the vertebral body

A

anterior longitudinal ligament

posterior longitudinal ligament

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3
Q

where does the anterior longitudinal ligament run

A

anterolateral aspect of the vertebral bodies from the skull base to the sacrum

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4
Q

describe the structure of the anterior longitudinal ligament

A

3 layer of dense collagen fibres

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5
Q

what do the deep fibres of the anterior longitudinal ligament do

A

bind adjacent vertebrae together

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6
Q

what do the superficial fibres of anterior longitudinal ligament do

A

span multiple segments

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7
Q

what is the function of anterior longitudinal ligament

A

limits extension

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8
Q

how does anterior longitudinal ligament limit extension

A

only ligament that lies anterior to axis of movement

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9
Q

where does the posterior longitudinal ligament run

A

within the vertebral canal on the posterior aspects of the vertebral bodies from C2 to sacrum

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10
Q

the posterior longitudinal ligament is much _____ than the anterior

A

narrower

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11
Q

the posterior longitudinal ligament attaches mainly to what

A

IVDs and margins of the vertebral bodies

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12
Q

what is found between ligament and bony surfaces of vertebral bodies

A

fat and vessels

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13
Q

what is the function of posterior longitudinal ligament

A

weakly limits flexion (posterior to axis of movement)

but mainly prevents herniation of IVD by reinforcing them

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14
Q

what are the 5 divisions of the ligaments of the vertebral arch and processes

A
ligamenta flava
interspinous ligaments
supraspinous ligaments 
intertransverse ligaments
nuchal ligaments
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15
Q

where does a single ligamentum flavum run

A

connects laminae of adjacent vertebrae

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16
Q

ligamentum flava are made of

A

strong elastic fibres

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17
Q

ligamentum flava limit

A

flexion

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18
Q

what are 3 functions of the ligamentum flava

A
  • help maintain curvatures
  • reinforce and close off gaps in wall of vertebral canal posteriorly
  • limit flexion
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19
Q

interspinous ligaments connect

A

adjacent spinous processes

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20
Q

are interspinous ligaments strong

A

no - weak, thin, membranous

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21
Q

supraspinous ligaments connect

A

tips of spinous processes

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22
Q

are supraspinous ligaments strong

A

yes, cord like

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23
Q

supraspinous ligaments are found where

A

C7 –> sacrum

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24
Q

intertransverse ligaments connect

A

adjacent transverse processes

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25
Q

how do the intertransverse ligaments differ as you go along the spinal cord

A

cervical - scattered fibres
thoracic - fibrous
lumbar - membranous

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26
Q

what replaces the supraspinous ligaments superiorly

A

above C7 there is the nuchal ligament

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27
Q

the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments limit

A

flexion

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28
Q

the nuchal ligament is continuous with

A

supraspinous ligament

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29
Q

the nuchal ligament limits

A

flexion

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30
Q

describe the nuchal ligament

A

thickened fibroelastic tissue

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31
Q

where does the nuchal ligament attach

A

external occipital protuberance
posterior border foramen magnum
spinous processes C1-7

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32
Q

what is the function of nuchal ligament

A

muscle attachment

33
Q

where does the spinal cord extend between

A

foramen magnum and L1/2

34
Q

where does the spinal cord end

A

L1/2

35
Q

what happens at the end of the spinal cord

A

end narrows forming the medullary cone

36
Q

where are the 2 enlargements of the spinal cord

A

cervical enlargement and lumbosacral enlargement

37
Q

what level is the cervical enlargement

A

C4-T1

38
Q

what level is the lumbosacral enlargement

A

L1-S3

39
Q

how are the cervical spinal nerves named

A

cervical spinal nerves are named after the vertebra below except for C8 - emerges below C7 and above T1 as no C8 vertebrae

40
Q

C5 spinal nerve will emerge

A

between C4/5

41
Q

how are spinal nerves of T1-Co1 named

A

named after vertebrae above

42
Q

T5 spinal nerve will emerge

A

between T5/6

43
Q

how is the cauda equina formed

A

a number of spinal nerves have a long way to travel from the end of the spinal cord in order to reach exit point - results in a collection of spinal nerves that run below the end of spinal cord (lumbar and sacral roots)

44
Q

what is the name for the remnant of the caudal part of the spinal cord

A

filum terminale

45
Q

where is the filum terminale found

A

in amongst cauda equina

46
Q

what comprises the filum terminale

A

small amount of nervous tissue, but also some coverings of spinal cord. particularly pia mater

47
Q

where does the filum terminale run

A

extends from tip of conus medullaris and runs down to attach on coccyx

48
Q

why is the spinal cord shorter than the verterbal column

A

differential growth rate between the 2 structures - the VC grows more rapidly relative to the cord

49
Q

at what age are the cord and column the same length

A

3 months gestation

50
Q

at 5 months gestation what can be seen

A

there has been much more rapid growth of the column relative to the cord and as a result the area of the spinal cord that gives rise to a spinal nerve is no longer at the level of this vertebrae - to compensate, the root of this nerve has had to lengthen so it can reach exit point

51
Q

where does the spinal cord end in the newbord

A

L3

52
Q

what are the 3 layers of the meninges

A

dura mater
arachnoid mater
pia mater

53
Q

are the spinal meninges continuous with the coverings of the brain

A

yes

54
Q

the spinal meninges also extend where

A

along initial portions of spinal nerve roots

55
Q

what are the lateral extensions of dura mater around the initial portions of the spinal nerves called

A

dural root sheath

56
Q

to what does the spinal dua mater attach inferiorly

A

attaches to coccyx by filum terminale

57
Q

where is the epidural space

A

potential space between dura mater and bone of VC

58
Q

what is contained in epidural space

A

internal vertebral venous plexuses

epidural fat and blood vessels

59
Q

describe the spinal arachnoid mater

A

delicate membrane with a spider web appearance that lines the dura

60
Q

how is the arachnoid mater connected to the pia

A

arachnoid trabeculae

61
Q

where is the subarachnoid space

A

between arachnoid and pia

62
Q

what happens to the SAS as you move caudally

A

it enlarges into a space called the lumbar cistern that surrounds the conus medullaris

63
Q

where is the lumbar cistern

A

L2-S2

64
Q

what procedure makes use of the lumbar cistern

A

lumbar puncture

65
Q

what is the denticulate ligament

A

extensions form from lateral sides of pia mater - tooth shaped/serrated ligament that extends the length of the cord

66
Q

where is the denticulate ligament found

A

in between anterior and posterior roots of spinal nerves

67
Q

how does the denticulate ligament help suspend the spinal cord within the dural sac

A

it pierces the arachnoid mater and anchors to the dura

68
Q

what does the spinal pia mater cover

A

spinal cord, nerve roots and spinal blood vessels

69
Q

how many longitudinal arteries supply the spinal cord

A

3 - 1 anterior and 2 posterior spinal arteries

70
Q

where do the anterior and posterior spinal arteries run

A

longitudinally from medulla oblongata to conus medullaris

71
Q

the longitudinal spinal arteries are supported by what

A

medullary segmental arteries

72
Q

where do the medullary segmental arteries come from

A

segmental branches in the trunk e.g. intercostal arteries, lumbar arteries

73
Q

how do the medullary segmental arteries support the longitudinal arteries

A

come in and anastomose with longitudinal vessels providing a localised blood supply to spinal cord

74
Q

what arteries supply nerve roots

A

radicular arteries

75
Q

describe the venous drainage of the spinal cord

A

3 anterior and 3 posterior longitudinal spinal veins and medullary and radicular veins which join the internal vertebral venous plexuses in epidural space

76
Q

the veins draining the spinal cord anastomose extensively with

A

internal vertebral venous plexus in the epidural space

77
Q

where is internal vertebral venous plexus

A

epidural space

78
Q

the internal vertebral venous plexus receives blood from what

A

vertebral bodies and also spinal cord

79
Q

the internal vertebral venous plexus anastomoses with what

A

anterior external vertebral venous plexus on anterior surface of bodies of vertebrae and with posterior external vertebral venous plexus