Back and Vertebral Column

Question 1

4 curves of spine

Answer 1

Cervical lordosis
Thoracic kyphosis
Lumbar lordosis
Sacro-coccygeal kyphosis

Question 2

How many vertebrae make up the spine?

Answer 2

The spine is made of 32 to 33 vertebrae. The vertebra is the fundamental unit of the spine.

The vertebrae in the lower portion of the column have larger bodies than those in the upper portion, to better support the increased weight

Question 3

5 regions of spinal cord

Answer 3

C1-C7
T1-T12
L1-L5
S1-S5
Cox1-Cox-3

Question 4

Answer 4

Question 5

Which vertebrae is this

Answer 5

Question 6

Which vertebrae is this

Answer 6

Question 7

Dens of axis

Answer 7

Thedens actsas a pivot that allows the atlas and the above occipital bone and head to rotate on theaxis, side to side.

Question 8

Which cervical vertebrae can be easily palpated?

Answer 8

C7

Question 9

What are these?

Answer 9

Question 10

Label each part

Answer 10

body
pedicles
transverse processes
spinal cord (blue)
lamina
spinous process

Question 11

Which vertebra is this?

Answer 11

Question 12

Which vertebra is this?

Answer 12

Question 13

Sacrum and coccyx

Answer 13

Question 14

Which vertebrae have the transverse foramen?

Answer 14

Only cervical

Question 15

Which vertebrae have bifid spinous processes?

Answer 15

Cervical minus C7

Question 16

How do vertebrae articulate?

Answer 16

Question 17

Intervertebral discs

Answer 17

Vertebral discs provide strong attachments between vertebral bodies

They account for around 20-30% of the total spine length

They serve as shock absorbers

The discs are formed by two areas; an outer anulus fibrosus and an inner nucleus pulposus

Question 18

Spinal cord termination

Answer 18

The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue, which extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column.

It terminates approximately at the level of L1, from there a series of spinal nerves branch off to form a structure called “cauda equina”, which means “horse’s tail”

Question 19

Answer 19

Question 20

Spinal meninges

Answer 20

Question 21

Denticulate ligament

Answer 21

Comes off pia mater and laterally anchors spinal cord to meninges

Question 22

Spinal nerves

Answer 22

31 pairs

Note that we have 8 pairs of cervical spinal nerves on each side of the spine called C1 through C8. This is because the first pair pass between the skull and C1 so we possess 7 cervical vertebrae but 8 cervical nerves.

Question 23

What extends from sides of vertebral body to join body to arch?

Answer 23

The pedicle connects the vertebral body to the vertebral arch and more specifically it sits between the vertebral body and the transverse process of the vertebra.

Question 24

Where does spinal nerve 8 sit?

Answer 24

Spinal nerve C8 exits between C7 and T1. C1 spinal nerve arises just below the occipital bone.

Question 25

Anterior ligaments

Answer 25

The anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) arises from the occipital bone, traverses the entire length of the spine along the anterior aspect of the body of the vertebrae, and ends on the antero-superior portion of the sacrum. It broadens as it descends.

Question 26

Posterior longitudal ligament arises from...

Answer 26

The posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) arises from the back of the axis (C2) body and travels downward and attaches posteriorly to the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs, attaching to the back of the sacrum. It narrows as it descends.

Question 27

What does the interspinous ligament join?

Answer 27

The interspinous ligament joins the spinous processes. It fuses with the strong, supraspinous ligament

Question 28

What does the supraspinous ligament join?

Answer 28

The supraspinous ligament joins the tips of the spinous processes.

Question 29

What is the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 29

The ligamentum flavum is a paired ligament which runs between the adjacent lamina of the vertebral bodies. It is a paired, yellowish, elastic ligament. It starts off relatively thin in the cervical spine to progressively become thicker in the lumbar spine.

Question 30

Ligamentum nuchae

Answer 30

The ligamentum nuchae is a large median ligament composed of tendons and fascia located between the posterior muscles of the neck. It spans from the external occipital protuberance and median nuchal line to the spinous process of C7, attaching all the posterior tips of C1 to C6 spinous processes. It is an extension of the supraspinous ligament. It is thick and strong, limiting hyperflexion of the neck.

Question 31

What do intertransverse ligaments join?

Answer 31

The intertransverse ligaments join transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae.  These are very thin fibrous cords.

Question 32

What is a ligament made of?

Answer 32

Skeletal ligaments are defined as dense bands of collagenous tissue (fibres) that span a joint.

Question 33

function of ligament

Answer 33

Increase stability of the spine, restrict movements that may damage the joint.

Question 34

Back muscle groups

Answer 34

Question 35

2 superficial intrinsic muscles

Answer 35

There are 2 superficial intrinsic muscles: ``` the splenius capitis and splenius colli (or splenius cervicis). ``` Function: rotation of the head (same side); extension of the neck; also involved in lateral flexion of the neck (same side).

Question 36

Answer 36

Splenius capitis

Question 37

3 intermediate intrinsic back muscles

Answer 37

The iliocostalis, longissimus and spinalis. Together these muscles form a column, known as the erector spinae. Function: they all act unilaterally to cause lateral flexion of the vertebral column. They also contract bilaterally to extend the vertebral column and head. In addition, the connection with the pelvis also helps stabilise the column.

Question 38

Answer 38

Question 39

Deep group or transversospinalis muscles

Answer 39

The deep intrinsic muscles are located underneath the erector spinae. the semispinalis, multifidus and rotatores. They are a group of muscles associated with the transverse and spinous processes of the vertebral column. Function: stabilise the spine by holding together the vertebrae; the semispinalis extend (bilateral contraction) and rotate (unilateral contraction) the head, neck and trunk.

Question 40

What muscle is this?

Answer 40

Rotatores

Question 41

Minor deep intrinsic muscles or segmental muscles

Answer 41

Interspinales: spans between adjacent spinous processes. Acts to stablise the vertebral column. Intertranversari: spans between adjacent transverse processes. Acts to stablise the vertebral column. Levatores costarum: originates from the transverse processes of C7-T11, and attaches to the rib immediately below. Acts to elevate the ribs.

Question 42

Rectus abdominis

Answer 42

The rectus abdominis muscle is not attached in any way to the spine but, among the other functions, it is responsible for flexion of the trunk.