Intervertebral Discs

Question 1

What kind of joints are intervertebral discs?

Answer 1

Symphyses

Question 2

Where are ivntervertebral discs located?

Answer 2

Between vertebral bodies from C2 to sacrum

Question 3

Where are the degenerate discs located?

Answer 3

Between S5 and Cx1

Question 4

Where are IVDs thicker anteriorly than posteriorly? Why?

Answer 4

• Cervical regions
• Lumbar regions
• Helps created spinal curvatures

Question 5

Where are IVDs flat?

Answer 5

Thoracic regions

Question 6

Where are IVDs thinnest?

Answer 6

Upper thoracic

Question 7

Where are IVDs thickest

Answer 7

Lumbar region

Question 8

Convex posteriorly

Answer 8

Kyphosis

Question 9

Convex anteriorly

Answer 9

Lordosis

Question 10

Lateral curvature

Answer 10

Scoliosis

Question 11

Discs adhere to inferior surface of a body of a vertebra above and superior surface of the body below via:

Answer 11

Vertebral end plate

Question 12

Vertebral end plate is a thin layer of:

Answer 12

Hyaline cartilage

Question 13

Part of the IVD with an outer collagenous zone and a wider, inner fibrocartilage zone

Answer 13

Annulus Fibrosis

Question 14

Fibers of annulus fibrosis at adjacent laminae arranged obliquely at _____ from horizontal

Answer 14

30 degrees

Question 15

Oblique arrangement of annulus fibrosis fibers =

Answer 15

Torsional strength to disc

Question 16

Which direction does the outer lamina bulge of the annulus fibrosis extend?

Answer 16

Externally

Question 17

Which direction does the inner lamina bulge of the annulus fibrosis extend?

Answer 17

Internally

Question 18

Function of annulus fibrosis

Answer 18

• Enclose and retain nucleus pulposis
• Absorb compressive shocks
• Structure unit between vertebral bodies
• Allows restricted motion

Question 19

What percentage of the IVD does the nucleus pulposus make up of?

Answer 19

40%

Question 20

The nucleus pulposis is a remnant of what embryological structure?

Answer 20

Notochord

Question 21

When do the notchordal cells disappear?

Answer 21

Within first decade of life

Question 22

Where are the nucleus pulposuses most developed?

Answer 22

Cervical and lumbar regions

Question 23

Where are the nucleus pulposus more skewed?

Answer 23

Posteriorly

Question 24

Nucleus pulposus function

Answer 24

• Resilient spacer allowing motion between vertebrae
• Distributes compressive forces

Question 25

Nucleus pulposus is extruded through defect in annulus fibrosis

Answer 25

Herniation

Question 26

Where is a hernia most likely to occur?

Answer 26

Lumbar region, posterolaterally

Question 27

Where is the annulus fibrosus thinnest?

Answer 27

Posteriorly

Question 28

Are IVDs vascular or avascular? Exception?

Answer 28

Avascular, except for periphery

Question 29

What ligaments are IVDs attached to?

Answer 29

Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments

Question 30

What are IVDs attached to the ribs via?

Answer 30

Interarticular ligaments

Question 31

IVDs contribute to how much of the vertebral column height?

Answer 31

1/5th

Question 32

Functions of the IVD

Answer 32

• Bearing weight
• Dissipating shock (high water content)
• Distributes loads
• Flexible buffer between rigid vertebrae
• Adequate motion at low loads, stability at higher loads

Question 33

IVD posterior innervation

Answer 33

Recurrent meningeal nerve