Back and Spinal Cord Flashcards by Emily Mosher

Components of vertebral column

Cervical (7), thoracic (12), lumbar (5), sacrum (about 5 fused), coccyx (3-4 fused)

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Curvatures of spine and direction they curve in

2 primary (concave) and 2 secondary (convex)

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Is first curvature primary or secondary?

secondary

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lamina

separates traverse from spinous process

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How do vertebrae create motion?

joints between articular processes

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Cervical zygapophysial joint

sloped from anterior to posterior

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Motions from cervical vertebrae

rotation, flexion, and extension

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Thoracic zygapophysial joint direction and motion

vertical for rotation, flexion, and extension

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lumbar zygapophysial joint

processes of vertebrae below are wrapping around processes of vertebrae above

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What is the lumbar zygapophysial joint important for?

Stability

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Cervical vertebrae

Triangular shaped vertebral canal with small, short vertebral body
Foramen transversarium
Bifurcated spinous process

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Foramen transversarium

Provides place for vertebral artery to move down only cervical vertebrae

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Atlas

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Axis

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Axis shape and function

50% of rotation in neck from specialized vertebral body (dens) shaped like a tooth

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thoracic vertebrae

Round vertebral foramen, heart-shaped vertebral body, extra articulations for rib and vertebrae (costovertebral joints)

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lumbar vertebrae

small triangular foramen and large cylindrical body

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Zygapophysial joint

synovial joint that connects articular processes and allows or inhibits spinal motion

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intervertebral discs

Solid joint symphyses that connects adjacent vertebrae and shock absorption

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parts of intervertebral discs

annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus

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Annulus fibrosus structure and functon

Ring of fibrocartilage, Limit rotation between vertebrae

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nucleus pulposus structure and functon

Gelatinous center, absorbs compression forces

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spinal ligaments and location

anterior and posterior ligaments, ligamentum flavum, supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament, and ligamentum nuchae

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anterior vertebral ligament

courses along vertebral body prevents hyperextension of vertebral column

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Posterior vertebral ligament

courses along vertebral bodies prevents hyperflexion of the vertebral column

Supraspinous ligament

connects adjacent vertebral spines, resists flexion in head

ligamentum nuchae

thickened extension of supraspinous and interspinous ligaments resists flexion in head

interspinous ligament

between adjacent spinous processes and blends with suprapsinous ligament and ligamentum flava

layers of back

superficial (appendicular), intermediate (respiratory), deep intrinsic

superficial back muscles

Muscles act on scapula and humerus

Intermediate respiratory back muscle function

Superior: elevates superior ribs Inferior: depresses inferior ribs

Intermediate back muscle innervation

* Superior: anterior rami of upper thoracic spinal n. | * Inferior: anterior rami of lower thoracic spinal n.

Intermediate back muscle characteristic

serrated edges

Deep/intrinsic back muscles

Splenius, erector spinae, and transversospinales, all have attachments within the back

Splenius capitis attachments

Proximal: ligamentum nuchae, spinous processes C7-T4 Distal: mastoid process, skull

Splenius capitis innervation

Posterior rami of cervical spinal nerves

Splenius cervicis innervation

Posterior rami of cervical spinal nerves

Splenius capitis function

Bilaterally: extend head and neck Unilaterally: ipsilateral rotation of head

Splenius cervicis function

Bilaterally: extend head and neck Unilaterally: ipsilateral rotation of head

Splenius cervicis attachments

proximal: spinous processes T3-T6 Distal: transverse processes C1-C3

Erector spinae

Iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis

Iliocostalis attachment and innervation

lateral attachment, posterior rami of spinal nerves innervation

longissimus attachment and innervation

intermediate attachment, posterior rami of spinal nerves innervation

Spinalis attachment and innervation

medial attachment, posterior rami of spinal nerves innervation

Erector spinae (including iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis) function

Bilateral: extend trunk/spine unilateral: laterally flex trunk

Transversospinales groups

Semispinalis (superficial), multifidus (intermediate), rotatoes (deepest)

transversopinales functions

Bilaterally: trunk extension Unilaterally: contralateral trunk rotation

Spinal cord length in adults and in neonates

Extends from foramen magnum to L1-L2 | Extends to L3-L4 in neonates

Conus medullaries

cone-shaped distal end of spinal cord

Filum terminale

extension of pia mater that connects the spinal cord to the coccyx giving tension to stabilize cord

Cauda equina

extension of lumbar and sacral nerves from spinal cord

Spinal cord enlargements and what they supply

Cervical (C5-T1): supplies upper extremity | Lumbosacral (L1-S3): supplies lower extremity

Structure of meninges

Dura mater Arachnoid mater Pia mater

Components of pia mater

Denticulate ligaments and filum terminale

Denticulate ligaments

anchor spinal cord to superficial meningeal layers

epidural space

located between periosteum lining bertebral canal and dura mater

Subarachnoid space

located between arachnoid mater and pia mater

Is there a natural subdural space?

gray matter in spinal cord location and component

cell bodies: longitudinal columns and horns

White matter

Axons: bundles/tracts

Central canal

negligible source of CSF

Parts of cross section of spinal cord

Gray and white matter, sulci/fissures, and central canal

Function and location os afferent and efferent nerves

SAME DAVE: sensory and dorsal afferent, motor and ventral efferent

Spinal nerve

both dorsal and ventral roots

what happens when spinal nerve splits?

splits into ant. And post. Rami that contain both sensor and motor fibers

Anterior rami innervates___

all muscles except intrinsic back muscles

Posterior rami innervates____

intrinsic back muscles

What is within spinal cord enlargements and what do they turn into?

form nerve plexuses that eventually form terminal branches supplying individual muscles or groups

spinal roots

contain sensory or motor axons, not both

Spinal nomenclature

spinal nn. C1-C7 named for vertebra below them (causes 8 spinal nerves) Spinal nn. T1 and caudal named for vertebra above them

Anterior spinal artery

Branch arising from convergence of vertebral aa. Travel along anterior median fissure Supplies anterior 2/3

Posterior spinal artery

Branches of post. Inf. Cerebellar a. Travel along posteriolateral sulci Suplies posterior 1/3