Back Osteology

Question 1

What are the normal curvatures of the spine?

Answer 1

Primary curvatures: Thoracic and Sacral Kyphoses

Secondary Kurvature: Cervical and Lumbar Lordoses

Question 2

What are some of the abnormal Curvatures of the spine

Answer 2

Kyphosis is an exaggeration of the curvature of the thoracic Verterbral Column resulting in Humpback

Lordosis refers to exaggerating in the curving of the Lumbar Vertebral column called sway backing

Scoliosis: lateral curving of the spine either to the left or the right

Question 3

Jefferson of Burst Fracture

Answer 3

Blow to top of the head (MVA)

Fractures both arches of the Atlas (Posterior and Anterior)

This fracture alone will not typically injure the spinal cord

if the transverse L. is ruptured the Odontoid process may affect the spinal cord

Question 4

Hangman’s Fracture

Answer 4

Hyper extension of the head on the neck resulting of the Vertebral arch break

Question 5

Fracture of the Odontoid Process

Answer 5

Breaks after a horizontal blow to the head, since the transverse L is stronger than the Odontoid process so it breaks at its base and usually wont heal

3 Types,

Type 1 is the tip
Type two is nearly at the base
Type three: is at the base and more

More severity the farther we go

Question 6

Spina Bifida Occulta

Answer 6

Development abnormality in which the Vertebral Lamina fail to fuse and close off the Vertebral Canal

occurs at L5 and S1, can go undetected but usually a tuft of hair exists in that location.

Question 7

Spina Bifidia Cystia

Answer 7

Similar to Spina Bifidia Occulta but it incorporates neural tissue and Meninges.

Question 8

Why is there often no spinal cord damage when there is a cervical dislocation

Answer 8

Cervical Vertebrae are more horizontal than other vertebrae and thus are easier to dislocate.

Due to the large Vertebral Foramen normally this dislocation does not cause pinching of the spinal Cord

Question 9

How do Ribs attach to the Vertebrae

Answer 9

Head of each rib articulates with the inferior costal demifacet of the Thoracic Vertebral segment above the rib number

and the superior Costal Demifacet of the Thoracic Vertebral segment of the same number

Costal Articulating Facet of the Tubercle articulates with the Thoracic Vertebral segment that is the same rib number

Question 10

Spondylosis

Answer 10

Degenerative joint disease that involves calcification of the vertebral body

Question 11

Spondyloysis

Answer 11

Separation of the Vertebra arch from the vertebral Body

Question 12

Spondylolisthesis

Answer 12

Anterior displacement of the Vertebral Body on the inferior Vertebral Segment

can occur secondarily to spondylolysis

Question 13

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Answer 13

narrowing of the lumbar Vertebral Foramen can cause comprehension of one or more spinal Nerve Roots.

Can be further compounded with Inter vertebral Disc Bulging, Arthritic Proliferation and Ligamentous Degeneration of the Vertebral Canal is considerably more comprimising

Question 14

Lumbar Puncture

Answer 14

aka Spinal Tap, helps to evaluate the CNS

needle inserted btwn the L3/L4 Vertebrae or L4/L5 vertebrae at the level of the iliac crest

avoids the spinal cord and passes through the ligamentum Flavum where you hear the pop sound and passes into the lumbar cistern deep to the dura and arachnoid mater

can draw Cerebrospinal fluid

Question 15

Sacrilization of the L5 Vertebra

Answer 15

also Hemisacrilization is partial but involves the incorporation of the L5 Vertebral Segment into the sacrum

Question 16

Lumbarization

Answer 16

is the separation of the S1 vertebra from the Sacrum

Question 17

Coccygodynia

Answer 17

Abrupt falls on the lower back and difficult child birth can result in bruising, dislocation or fracture of
the Coccyx, Coccygodynia can follow coccygeal trauma, it is painful and difficult to treat.