Verterbral Column and Spinal cord Flashcards
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7
How many thoracic vertebrae are there
12
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5
How many sacral fused vertebrae are there?
5
What structure is responcible for transmitting body weight on to the lower limbs?
Sacroiliac joints
What 2 structures does the vertebral canal carries?
Spinal cord and its coverings
Spinal nerves
What is the ‘Vertebra prominent’?
The upper most spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebrae that is palpable
Why is the vertebra prominent most palpable?
It has a long and non-bifid spine
What is the name of the upper most spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebrae that is palpable?
Vertebrae prominent
What is the highest point of the iliac crest in line with?
L3/L4 spines
What type of joints are the intervertebral discs?
secondary cartilaginous joints
bone hyaline cartilage fibrocartilage hyaline cartilage bone
What is the name of the shape of the vertebrae that is formed after birth
Sinusodial shape
What is the shape of the foetus vertebral column?
C shaped with concavity forcing anteriorly.
When does convexity of the cervical and lumbar region of the vertebrae develop and why?
When the child holds up its legs
When the legs start weight bearing
Which region of the vertebrae has maximum rotation?
Thoracic region
Which region of the vertebrae has very limited rotation?
Lumbar region
Which regions of the vertebrae has limited flexion and extension and why?
Thoracic region due to the presence of the rib cage
What are the 2 parts to the intervertebral discs and describe the strcuture?
Nucleus pulposus
Annulus fibrosus
the nucleus pulposus is surrounded by an annulus fibrosis
What is the annulus fibrosis attached to?
To the vertebral bodies and to the posterior longitudinal ligament
Give an example of a condition that can narrow the intervertebral disc and cause compression of the nerve root?
Herniation of the intervertebral discs
What happens to the annulus fibrosis in herniation and what happens as a result?
The annulus fibrosis no longer contains the nucleus polposus and bulges into the intervertebral foramen
In which region of the vertebrae does herniation often occur?
Lumbar region
What is sciatica?
Compression/irritation of the sciatic nerve (L5)
What 2 symptoms are experienced in sciatica?
pain radiating down to the buttock and down the claf of the leg
foot drop
What is radiculopathy?
Nerve root pathology due to compression due to prolapsed intervertebral disc
At what 2 locations does radiculopathy commonly occur?
L5/S1 in the lumbar region
C6/7 in the neck
What is a spinal cord segment?
An area of the spinal cord from which a pair of spinal nerves are given off
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
31 pairs of spinal nerves
