10/6 Questions

Question 1

Where is ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament most commonly identified?

Answer 1

cervical spine with an 80% incidence

Question 2

What is the clinical sign of the posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the cervical spine?

Answer 2

a loss of hand and finger dexterity

Question 3

What is the clinical sign of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the lumbar spine?

Answer 3

faltering gait

Question 4

What is the gender, age, and ethnic bias associated with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 4

it is greater in males over 50 and has a higher incidence in the Japanese

Question 5

At one time ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament was an example of what condition?

Answer 5

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis or DISH

Question 6

What are the specific bony attaching sites for the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 6

the laminae

Question 7

What will the ligamentum flavum attach to in addition to the lamina?

Answer 7

they may blend with the capsular ligament of the zygapophysis

Question 8

How many ligamenta flava will attach to the lamina of a cervical segment?

Answer 8

two: one with upper margin of the lamina and one with the lower margin

Question 9

In which region of the spine will the ligamentum flavum be paired?

Answer 9

the lumbar spine

Question 10

How many ligamenta flava will attach to the lamina of a lumbar segment?

Answer 10

four: two with the upper margin of the lamina and two with the lower margin

Question 11

What is the relationship of the ligamentum flavum to the vertebral foramen?

Answer 11

it forms the posterior boundary of the spinal canal

Question 12

What is the name given to the ligamentum flavum based on appearance and histology?

Answer 12

it is a yellow elastic ligament

Question 13

What fibers are most ligaments made up of?

Answer 13

collagen type 1 fibers which are whitish in appearance

Question 14

What is the color of most ligaments in the body?

Answer 14

they are whitish

Question 15

What is the function of the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 15

it brakes or limits flexion of the vertebral column

Question 16

What is now thought to be a major function of the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 16

it is an early prime factor in extension of the vertebral column

Question 17

Where is ossification of the ligamentum flavum most commonly identified?

Answer 17

the thoracic spine or thoracolumbar transition zone

Question 18

What is the relationship between the capsular ligament and mobility?

Answer 18

the more lax/loose the capsular ligament is, the greater the motion of the joint

Question 19

What regions of the vertebral column demonstrate the greatest laxity of capsular ligaments?

Answer 19

the cervical and lumbar regions

Question 20

In which region of the vertebral column will the capsular ligament be tightest?

Answer 20

the thoracic region

Question 21

What layers are present in the capsular ligament?

Answer 21

a superficial layer of collagen fibers and a deep layer of elastic fibers

Question 22

The capsular ligament may blend with which other common ligament?

Answer 22

ligamentum flavum

Question 23

What muscle will blend with the capsular ligament posteriorly?

Answer 23

multifidis

Question 24

What is the pattern of innervation for the zygapophysis capsular ligament?

Answer 24

it is typically innervated by 3 spinal nerves

Question 25

If the zygapophyseal capsular ligament is not significantly involved in restricting motion what is its' function?

Answer 25

it is probably involved in proprioceptive feedback to the muscles stabilizing the vertebral couple during movement

Question 26

What vertebral levels will the interspinous ligament be attached to?

Answer 26

those between C2 and S1 inclusive are traditionally indicated

Question 27

What is the status of the human interspinous ligament compared with other common ligaments?

Answer 27

they are poorly developed as ligaments although collagen fibers are present

Question 28

What is the status of cervical interspinous ligament?

Answer 28

it is lacking, poorly developed, or simply considered the deep anterior part of the ligamentum nuchae

Question 29

What is the status of the thoracic interspinous ligament?

Answer 29

it is narrow and elongated reflecting the shape of the spinous process

Question 30

What is the status of the lumbar interspinous ligament?

Answer 30

it is broad and thick with three layers identified from anterior to posterior

Question 31

What is the classic function of the interspinous ligament?

Answer 31

it brakes or limits flexion of the vertebral column

Question 32

What is now thought to be a major function of the interspinous ligament?

Answer 32

it is more likely a proprioceptive transducer for the spinal reflex

Question 33

What are the layers of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 33

a superficial and deep layer are identified

Question 34

What is the name given to the superficial layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 34

the funicular layer or part

Question 35

What is the name given to the deep layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 35

the lamellar layer or part

Question 36

What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 36

brakes or limits flexion of the vertebral column