Back, Vertebral Column, IV

Question 1

How many vertebrae are there?

Answer 1

33

Question 2

What are the different regions of the spinal column

Answer 2

Cervical 
Thoracic 
Lumbar
Sacral
Coccygeal

Question 3

How of each vertebrae are there?

Answer 3

7 Cervical
12 Thoracic
5 Lumbar
5 Sacral
4 Coccygeal

Question 4

What do ligaments connect?

Answer 4

Bone to bone

Question 5

What do tendons connect?

Answer 5

Muscle to bone

Question 6

What kind of joints are facet joints?

Answer 6

Synovial plane joints

Question 7

What are the different ligaments around the spinal column?

Answer 7

Interspinous ligament (long continuous)
Ligamentum flavum (between the lamina of one vertebrae to another)

Posterior longitudinal ligament
Anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 8

What are the 4 stages of disc herniation?

Answer 8

Protruding
Prolapsed
Extruded
Sequestered

Question 9

What is disc herniation?

Answer 9

Like a jam donut

The nucleus pulposis is the jam
Annulus fibrosis is the donut

When gravity pushes on the IV disc, jam comes out

Question 10

Where do 95% of herniated discs occur?

Answer 10

Between L4-L5 or L5-S1 joints

Question 11

What is the thickness of IV discs through the vertebral column?

Answer 11

Cervical - 3mm
Thoracic - 5mm
Lumbar - 9-11mm

Question 12

What back muscles are responsible for flexion?

Answer 12

Rectus abdominals
Psoas major

(Moving forward)

Question 13

What back muscles are responsible for extension?

Answer 13

Paraspinals
Gluteus maximus

(Leaning back)

Question 14

What back muscles are responsible for lateral flexion?

Answer 14

SCM 
Rhomboid
Internal and external oblique 
Quadratus lumborum 
Gluteals

Question 15

What back muscles are involved in rotation?

Answer 15

Paraspinals
External oblique
Internal oblique
SCM (in the neck)

Question 16

What are the superficial muscles of the back?

Answer 16

Latissimus dorsi
Trapezius
Teres major

Question 17

What are the deep muscles of the back?

Answer 17

Paraspinals

Question 18

In which part of the vertebrae does flexion most happen?

Answer 18

Cervical

Question 19

In which part of the vertebrae does extension most happen?

Answer 19

Lumbar

Question 20

In which part of the vertebrae does rotation most happen?

Answer 20

Thoracic

Question 21

What kind of joint articulates the atlas to C1?

Answer 21

Condyloid synovial joint

Question 22

What kind of joint articulates the axis to the atlas?

Answer 22

Pivot type synovial joint

Question 23

Which one is higher up the vertebral column? Atlas or axis?

Answer 23

Atlas

Question 24

Where do the ligamentum flavum run and what is their purpose?

Answer 24

Extends from lamina above to lamina below

Resists separation of the lamina
Stops abrupt flexion
High elastic content so assisting with straightening after flexion

Question 25

Where do the interspinous ligaments run and what is it’s properties?

Answer 25

Long and continuous Joins adjacent spinous processes Weak like a thin membrane

Question 26

Where are facet joints found?

Answer 26

Between inferior and superior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae

Question 27

What is the most common symptom of herniated intervertebral discs?

Answer 27

Back pain

Question 28

What are two ways that the vertebrae articulate together?

Answer 28

Between vertebral bodies (IV discs) | Between articular facets (facet joints)

Question 29

What commonly occurs clinically at facet joints?

Answer 29

The facet joints are near where the spinal nerves come out from the vertebral column When the joints are diseases or when osteophytes form spinal nerves can become compressed As the IV disc degenerates with age, spinal nerve roots can become compressed (especially in the lumbar region)

Question 30

What happens when ligaments surrounding the joints are compressed?

Answer 30

Localised pain

Question 31

What happens when the nerve roots are compressed in the spinal column?

Answer 31

Numbness Tingling Pain across respective dermatology

Question 32

Why do you not feel pain from the IVD themselves?

Answer 32

Poorly innervated

Question 33

What are IV discs made of?

Answer 33

Annulus fibrosus | Nucleus pulposus

Question 34

Wha happens when the nucleus polposus dries out?

Answer 34

Loose height Disc not as resilient Does does not absorb shocks as well

Question 35

When do degenerative changes start?

Answer 35

20s

Question 36

What percentage of the nucleus pulposis is water at birth?

Answer 36

85

Question 37

What are the functions of IV discs?

Answer 37

Provide strong attachments between vertebral bodies Weight bearing and strength 25% of the heigh of the vertebral column

Question 38

Describe the properties and function of the anterior longitudinal ligaments

Answer 38

Thick | Prevents hyperextension of the vertebral column