Spine Key terms

Question 1

A pair of small joints, one on each side, betweeneach vertebra at the back of the spine, whichprovide mainly rotational stability. They may become arthritic and cause nerve pressure.

Answer 1

Facet Joints

Question 2

the caudal end of the spinal cord

Answer 2

Conus medullaris

Question 3

Latin for the ‘tail of the horse’, refers to the leash of small but vital nerves in the lumbar region which run down to the bladder, anal sphincter and genital area providing them with sensation and muscle power. Damage may occur from pressure from a disc prolapse or injury. That pressure needs urgent surgical intervention within a few hours to give a chance of recovery.

Answer 3

Cauda equina

Question 4

At each level in the spine a pair of nerves emerges between the vertebrae on each side. These are the nerve roots that may then combine to form nerve trunks such as the sciatic nerve in the legs or the median nerve in the arms.

Answer 4

spinal cord

Question 5

The curved triangular bone at the base of the spine, which with the pelvic bones on eachside, forms the complete pelvis.

Answer 5

Sacrum

Question 6

A bony column rising from the back of the body of the vertebra on each side, which forms an arch throughwhich the spinal nerves run. Forms a useful anchorage for pedicle screws in spinal surgery.

Answer 6

Pedicle

Question 7

Delicate membrane inside the dura, surrounding the brain and spinal nerves and containing the cerebrospinal fluid

Answer 7

Arachnoid

Question 8

Narrowing of the spinal canal and/or nerve outlets resulting in claudication.

Answer 8

Spinal stenosis

Question 9

Bony prominences around the margins of joints associated with osteoarthritis. May cause pressure on adjacent structures, e.g. nerves.

Answer 9

Osteophytes

Question 10

Degenerative or wear-and-tear change in a spinal joint. Often associated with age and of little significance, but may be a source of pain especially combined with an injury.

Answer 10

spondylosis

Question 11

That part of the back of the vertebra, which with the two pedicles, completes the arch through which the spinal nerves run.

Answer 11

Lamina

Question 12

The soft centre of the intervertebral disc. Jelly-like in the young but gradually dehydrates and shrinks with age.

Answer 12

nucleus pulpous

Question 13

Clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal nerves. Withdrawn at lumbar puncture for diagnostic testing. Sometimes leaks during spinal surgery and may require a procedure to repair the leak followedby lying down for a few days.

Answer 13

Cerebrospinal fluid

Question 14

The main nerve trunk as thick as your little finger which runs from the base of the skull down to the second lumbar vertebra inside the spinal canal. Injury results in paralysis and loss of sensation below the level of injury.

Answer 14

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Question 15

describes anomalies of the spine associated with incomplete embryologic development

Answer 15

Dysgraphia

Question 16

The junction of nerves emerging from the lower levels in the neck to form the three main nerve trunks supplying motor and sensory function to the upper limbs

Answer 16

Brachial plexus

Question 17

The bony channel between two vertebrae through which the nerve root exits from the spinal canal on each side.

Answer 17

spinal cord

Question 18

Thin fibrous outer covering of the brain and spinal nerves containing the arachnoid layer which in turn contains the cerebro-spinal fluid.

Answer 18

Dura

Question 19

The strong soft tissue connector between two vertebrae, which acts as a hinge and shock absorber to some extent. It consists of a tough, interwoven, fibrous outer casing, the annulus fibrosus, with a softer centre, the nucleus pulposus, which tends to dry out gradually with age.

Answer 19

Disc