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Question 1

How many bones make up the coccyx?

Answer 1

Four small bones fused together

Question 2

Which vertebrae have foramina in their transverse process?

Answer 2

Cervical

Question 3

What makes up the superficial layer of intrinsic back muscles?

Answer 3

Spintransversales muscles: splenius capitis and splenius cervicis

Question 4

What makes up the intermediate layer of intrinsic back muscles?

Answer 4

Erector spinae muscles

From lateral to medial: iliocostalis, longissimus and spinalis

Question 5

What makes up the deep layer of intrinsic back muscles?

Answer 5

transversospinales (semispinalis, multifidus and rotatores).

Question 6

What connects adjacent laminae?

Answer 6

The ligamentum flavum

Question 7

What is the annulus fibrosus (outer fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc) made up of?

Answer 7

The outer fibrous ring—annulus fibrosus—is composed of type 1 collagen, water, and proteoglycans. It has a high collagen to proteoglycan ratio.

Question 8

What is the nucleus pulposus made up of?

Answer 8

The inner nucleus pulposus is composed of type 2 collagen, water, and proteoglycans. The high polysaccharide and water content in the nucleus pulposus results in a hydrated gel.

Question 9

Are the intervertebral discs vascular or avascular?

Answer 9

Avascular. They get their nutrients from adjacent end plate capillaries

Question 10

What injury classically causes central cord syndrome?

Answer 10

Sudden hyperextension of the neck

Question 11

What is the pattern in central cord syndrome?

Answer 11

Upper limbs more affected than lower limbs

Question 12

What are the characteristics of Brown-Sequard syndrome?

Answer 12

Patients exhibit the characteristic loss of proprioception on the ipsilateral side of the lesion with contralateral loss of pain and temperature.

Question 13

What is anterior cord syndrome?

Answer 13

Anterior cord syndrome occurs due to ischemia in the anterior spinal artery territory leading to loss of function of the anterior 2/3 of the spinal cord. The dorsal columns are spared, and so vibration sense and conscious proprioception are preserved.

Question 14

What is the anterior spinal artery and what does it supply?

Answer 14

The anterior spinal artery, formed by the vertebral arteries, supplies the anterior 2/3 of the spinal cord.

Question 15

What is the artery of Adamkiewicz?

Answer 15

The artery of Adamkiewicz is the largest anterior segmental medullary artery and arises from the inferior intercostal or upper lumbar arteries.

Question 16

How many processes arise from a typical vertebrae?

Answer 16

7 processes arise from a typical vertebra:

• 1 spinous process
• 2 transverse processes
• 4 articular processes