ARTHOLOGY OF THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN - intervertebral disc ligaments

Question 1

What vertebral levels will the ALL attach to?

Answer 1

those between occiput and S3 invlusive are traditionally indicated

Question 2

What is the function of the ALL?

Answer 2

it brakes or limits dorsi-flexion or hyperextension of the vertebral column

Question 3

What was ossification of the ALL in the lumbar region identified as?

Answer 3

Forestier’s Disease

Question 4

ALL ossification in the lumbar region is now identified as ___?

Answer 4

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis or DISH

Question 5

What vertebral levels will the PLL attach to?

Answer 5

those between C2 and S3 inclusive are traditionallly indicated

Question 6

Newer research suggests what regional variation in the PLL?

Answer 6

prominent in cervicals, occasional in thoracics, rare in lumbars

Question 7

Newer research suggests what regional variation in the PLL?

Answer 7

prominent in the cervicals, occasional in the thoracics, rare in the lumbars

Question 8

What is the relationship of the PLL to the vertebral foramen?

Answer 8

it forms the anterior boundary of the spinal canal

Question 9

What is the appearance of the posterior longitudinal ligament along the thoracic spine

Answer 9

it is hourglass shaped along its lateral margins

Question 10

Where is ossification of the PLL most commonly identified?

Answer 10

the cervical spine with an 80% incidence

Question 11

What is the clinical sign of PLL ossification in the cervical spine?

Answer 11

a loss of hand and finger dexterity

Question 12

What is the clinical sign of PLL ossification in the lumbar spine?

Answer 12

faltering gait

Question 13

What is the gender, age, and ethnic bias associated with ossification of the PLL?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What is the acronym for ossification of the PLL?

Answer 14

OPLL

Question 15

At one time ossification of the PLL was an example of what condition?

Answer 15

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis or DISH

Question 16

What vertebral levels wil the ligamenum flavum be attached to?

Answer 16

those between C2 and S1 inclusive are traditionally indicated

Question 17

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

Answer 17

the laminae

Question 18

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

Answer 18

they may blend with the capsular ligament of the zygapophysis

Question 19

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

Answer 19

it is a yellow elastic ligament

Question 20

What fibers are most ligaments made up of?

Answer 20

collagen type I fibers which are whitish in appearance

Question 21

What is the color of most ligaments in the body?

Answer 21

they are whitish

Question 22

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

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Where is ossification of the ligamentum flavum most commonly identified?

Answer 23

the thoracic spine or thoracolumbar transition zone

Question 24

What is the acronym for ossification of the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 24

OLF

Question 25

What is the relationship between the capsular ligament and mobility?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

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

Answer 26

the cervical and lumbar regions

Question 27

What layers are present in the capsular ligament?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

The capsular ligament may blend with which other common ligament?

Answer 28

the ligamentum flavum

Question 29

What muscle will blend with the capsular ligament posteriorly?

Answer 29

the multifidis

Question 30

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

Answer 30

it is typically innervated by 3 spinal nerves

Question 31

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

Answer 31

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

Question 32

What vertebral levels will the interspinous ligament be attached to

Answer 32

those betweeen C2 and S1 inclusive are traditionally indicated

Question 33

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

Answer 33

they are poorly developed as ligaments although collagen fibers are present

Question 34

What is the status of the cervical interspinous ligament?

Answer 34

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

Question 35

What is the status of the lumbar interspinous ligament?

Answer 35

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

Question 36

What is the classic function of the interspinous ligament?

Answer 36

it brakes or limits flexion of the vertebral column

Question 37

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

Answer 37

it is more likely a proprioceptive transducer for the spinal reflex

Question 38

What will the ligamentum nuchae be attached to?

Answer 38

the external occipital protuberance, external occipital crest, the posterior tubercle of the posterior arch of C1, and spinous tubercles between C2 and C7 inclusive are traditionally indicated

Question 39

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

Answer 39

the funicular layer or part

Question 40

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

Answer 40

the lamellar layer or part

Question 41

What are the attachment sites for the superficial layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 41

the lamellar layer or part

Question 42

What are the attachment sites for the superficial layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 42

the external occipital protuberance, external occipital crest, and spinous tubercle of C7

Question 43

What is the histological make-up of the ligamentum nuchae in quadrupeds?

Answer 43

it is a yellow elastic ligament

Question 44

What is the primary yellow elastic or elastic ligament of the spine?

Answer 44

the ligamentum flavum

Question 45

What will the supraspinous ligament be attached to?

Answer 45

the spinous tubercles along the vertebral column from C7 to sacrum

Question 46

What is the termination level inferiorly for the supraspinous ligament according to current literature?

Answer 46

primarily at L4 (73%); between L4 and L5 (5%)

Question 47

Where is the supraspinous ligament said to be best developed?

Answer 47

in the lumbar spine

Question 48

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

Answer 48

it is a proprioceptive transducer for the spinal reflex

Question 49

What will the intertransverse ligament be attached to?

Answer 49

the transverse tubercles and transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae along the vertebral column from C1 to L5

Question 50

What is the status of the cervical intertransverse ligament?

Answer 50

it is said to b epaired with an anterior and a posterior intertransverse ligament present

Question 51

What is the status of the lumbar intertransverse ligament?

Answer 51

it is well developed with two parts identified, a ventral slip and a dorsal slip

Question 52

What part of the lumbar intertransverse ligament covers the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 52

the ventral slip

Question 53

What part of the intertransverse ligament in the lumbar spine divides the body wall into an anterior muscular compartment and a posterior muscular compartment?

Answer 53

the dorsal slip