Anatomical Terminology

Question 1

ala sacralis

Answer 1

the wing-like upper part of each lateral mass of the sacrum as viewed from above
in latin, ala is wing

Question 2

annulus fibrosis

Answer 2

outer part of the intervertebral disc surrounding the nucleus pulposus made up of rings of collagen fibers arranged in layers,

Question 3

anterior arch

Answer 3

the section of the vertebra consisting of the vertebral body and the anterior third of the pedicles

Question 4

anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 4

(ALL) Thick, longitudinally oriented ligamentous fibers connecting the anterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies from C2 to the sacrum

Question 5

aorta

Answer 5

the main vessel of the arterial system

Question 6

apophyseal ring

Answer 6

the ring of cortical bone surrounding the vertebral body beneath the endplate

Question 7

apophysis

Answer 7

an outgrowth or projection especially from a bone

A bony process or outgrowth that lacks an independent center of ossification

Question 8

articular

Answer 8

relating to a joint

Question 9

atlantoaxial joint

Answer 9

the joint at which the atlas C1 articulates with the axis C2

The odontoid process of C2 acts as a pivot point for the rotation of C1

Question 10

Atlas

Answer 10

the first cervical vertebra C1

named after the mythological figure Atlas because it supports the “globe”

Question 11

autogenous

Answer 11

self producing from within the body

Question 12

axis

Answer 12

the second cervical vertebra C2

the pivot point for the atlas

Question 13

cancellous bone

Answer 13

porous loosely knit bone similar in structure to a sponge

Question 14

cauda equina

Answer 14

bundle of spinal nerves and spinal nerve rootlets extending from the conus medullaris into the vertebral canal below L1
latin: cauda tail and equus horse, horse’s tail

Question 15

central nervous system

Answer 15

the primary part of the nervous system composed of the brain and spinal cord

Question 16

cerebrospinal fluid

Answer 16

CSF clear colorless fluid formed by cells in the brain and spinal cord
has a protective function as a shock absorber for the spinal cord

Question 17

cervical

Answer 17

relating to the neck or cervix

the first 7 vertebra of the spine

Question 18

coccyx

Answer 18

the small triangular bone attached to the base of the sacrum

formed by 4 or 5 fused rudimentary vertebra

Question 19

conus medullaris

Answer 19

the cone shaped base of the spinal cord

Question 20

cortical bone

Answer 20

dense, solid bone tissue found in the outer shell of the vertebra

Question 21

costovertebral joints

Answer 21

the smooth rounded facet joints located laterally on the vertebral bodies of T2-T9 that articulate with the ribs

Question 22

Dens

Answer 22

the tooth-like process projecting superiorly from the body of C2
provides a capsular pivot joint for atlanto-axial rotation
also called the odontoid process

Question 23

Discitis

Answer 23

inflammation of the disc

Question 24

Discogenic

Answer 24

from a damaged vertebral disc

Question 25

dorsal root

Answer 25

multiple filaments of the sensory fibers located on the posterior side of the spinal cord

Question 26

dura meter

Answer 26

the tough fibrous membrane forming the outer covering of the central nervous system
in the brain it has two layers
in the spinal cord it has a single layer

Question 27

endplate

Answer 27

a thin plate of well-vascularized tissue composed of an outer layer of cartilage and an inner layer of bone that is strongly attached to the cortical rim of the vertebral body

serves as a growth ring for the vertebral body

Question 28

epidural space

Answer 28

the space surrounding the spinal cord, filled with fatty tissue, veins and arteries

Question 29

extension

Answer 29

the act of straightening or unbending / backward bending in the spine

Question 30

facet joint

Answer 30

a synovial joint formed by the inferior articular process of one vertebra and the superior process of the adjacent vertebra

the connections between the bones of the spine

The nerve roots pass through these joints to go from the spinal cord to the arms, legs and other parts of the body. These joints also allow the spine to bend and twist, and they keep the back from slipping too far forward or twisting without limits.

Question 31

flexion

Answer 31

the act of flexing or bending

forward bending in the spine

Question 32

foramen

Answer 32

a hole or opening in bone