Week 11 - Spine & Spinal Cord

Question 1

What is the clinical correlate of degenerative disc disease?

Answer 1

Degenerative disc disease involves the deterioration of intervertebral discs, leading to pain and potential nerve compression.

It is a common cause of back pain and can result from aging or injury.

Question 2

How many pairs of cranial and spinal nerves are there?

Answer 2

12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

Spinal nerves are named similarly to vertebral regions.

Question 3

What are the regions and counts of spinal nerves?

Answer 3

• Cervical: 8
• Thoracic: 12
• Lumbar: 5
• Sacral: 5
• Coccygeal: 1-2

C8 exits between C7 and T1 vertebrae.

Question 4

What is a dermatome?

Answer 4

The area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve.

Each spinal nerve (ventral & dorsal ramus) corresponds to a specific dermatome.

Question 5

What are the two types of spinal nerve root?

Answer 5

• Dorsal root
• Ventral root

Dorsal roots contain sensory nerves, while ventral roots contain motor nerves.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: The _______ is a gelatinous core in the intervertebral disc.

Answer 6

Nucleus Pulposus

Question 7

What are the primary curvatures of the vertebral column?

Answer 7

• Thoracic
• Sacral

These curvatures are present at birth.

Question 8

What are the secondary curvatures of the vertebral column?

Answer 8

• Cervical
• Lumbar

These develop to compensate for head/body weight and emerge as the child begins to hold their head up and stand.

Question 9

What is the function of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments?

Answer 9

They attach to vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs, extending from the skull to the sacrum.

They limit flexion and support the spine.

Question 10

True or False: The spinal cord ends at the L3 vertebral level in adults.

Answer 10

False

Question 11

What is spondylolysis?

Answer 11

A congenital defect or fracture of the pars interarticularis, commonly seen in the lumbar region.

It is a weak point of the vertebrae.

Question 12

What are the common causes of vertebral fractures?

Answer 12

• Trauma
• Osteoporosis
• High-energy compressive injury

Specific types include burst fractures, hangman fractures, and chance fractures.

Question 13

What is ankylosing spondylitis?

Answer 13

A progressive, immune-mediated inflammation of vertebral joints causing fusion of those joints.

It can lead to a ‘bamboo spine’ appearance on imaging.

Question 14

Fill in the blank: The _______ is a pial extension anchoring the spinal cord to the dura.

Answer 14

Denticulate ligament

Question 15

What is the purpose of a lumbar puncture?

Answer 15

To test CSF, administer drugs, or measure intracranial pressure.

The procedure is performed below the L1/2 level to avoid damaging the spinal cord.

Question 16

What is the significance of the conus medullaris?

Answer 16

It marks the end of the spinal cord at the L1/2 vertebral level in adults.

Below this level, the cauda equina forms from lumbar and sacral nerve roots.

Question 17

What are the layers of the meninges?

Answer 17

• Dura mater
• Arachnoid mater
• Pia mater

These layers protect the spinal cord and contain the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Question 18

What causes a herniated disc?

Answer 18

Bulging of the disc leading to tearing of the annulus fibrosus and herniation of the nucleus pulposus.

Risk factors include age, being overweight, and trauma.

Question 19

What is the lumbar cistern?

Answer 19

The subarachnoid space below the conus medullaris that contains cerebrospinal fluid.

It is a common site for lumbar punctures.