the tapered end of the solid spinal cord is termed
conus medullaris
the soft semigelatinous inner part of the intervertebral disk is termed
nucleus pulposus
the articulations between C1 and the occipital condyles of the skull are termed
occipitoatlantal joint
the intervertebral joints are classified as
amphiarthrodial
a comminuted fracture of the anterior & posterior arches of C1 is termed
jefferson fracture
a lumbar rib is an example of an
transitional vertebra
what additional measure can be taken if the patient cannot depress the shoulders adequately for the cervicothoracic (swimmers) lateral projection
angle the CR 3-5 degrees caudad
which spinal curvature is characterized by an abnormal lateral curvature
scoliosis
the zygapophyseal joints are classified as
diarthrodial
a fracture that extends through the pedicles of C2 with or without subluxation of C2 on C3 is termed
hangman’s fracture
a fracture that involves the dens and can extend into the lateral masses or arches of C1 is termed
odontoid fracture
which condition or disease is best demonstrated with the scoliosis series
scheuermann disease
what type of CR angle is used for the AP axial projection of the cervical spine
15 - 20 degree cephalad
what type of CR angle is used for the anterior oblique projection of the cervical spine
15 - 20 degree caudad
what type of CR angle is used for the swimmers lateral of the cervical spine when the patient is able to reach their upside arm lower than their downside arm
no angle, perpendicular CR , enter at T1 (1 inch above the jugular notch)
what type of CR angle is used for the PA projection (Judd method) for C1-C2 of the cervical spine
no angle , perpendicular CR parallel to MML, through mid occipital bone (about 1 inch inferoposterior to angle of mandible)
what type of CR angle is used for the AP projection (Fuchs method) for C1-C2 of the cervical spine
no angle, perpendicular CR parallel to MML directed to inferior tip of mandible
what is the benefit of utilizing a breathing technique for the lateral position of the thoracic spine
to blur unwanted rib & lung markings overlying thoracic vertebra
what type of CR angle is used for the hyper flexion & hyper extension positions of the cervical spine
no angle, horizontal to C4
what is found between the superior & inferior articular processes
zyapophyseal joints
the intervertebral foramina of the thoracic spine are clearly demonstrated on which projection
lateral
the intervertebral foramina of the thoracic spine form an angle of how many degrees with the midsagittal plane
90 degrees
a typical vertebra is composed of what?
body & vertebral arch
which vertebral process projects posteriorly from the junction of the laminae and pedicles
transverse process
the zygapophyseal joints of the cervical spine are clearly demonstrated on which projection
lateral
the short thick processes that project posteriorly on each side of a vertebral body are called the
pedicles
spinal nerves and blood vessels exit the spinal column through the
intervertebral foramina
where should the center of the IR be positioned for the open mouth AP projection of the atlas & axis
second cervical vertebra
T1,T11,T12 have what
demi facets
outer aspect of the intervertebral disk
annulus fibrosis
other name for C1
atlas
axis refers to
C2
vertebra prominens refers to
C7
3 features that make the cervical vertebrae unique
bifid tip
transverse foramina
overlapping bodies
modified body of C2 is called,
dens or odontiod
what is the unique feature of all thoracic vertebrae that distinguishes them from other vertebrae
facets for rib articulations & demi facets
the recommended SID for a lateral projection of the cervical spine
72” SID , to reduce OID
the lateral projection of the cervical spine should be taken on ___, why?
expiration, to depress the shoulders & view C7
which region of the spine must be demonstrated with a cervicothoracic (swimmers lateral) projection
C5 - T3
which zygapophyseal joints are demonstrated in a right anterior oblique (RAO) projection of the cervical spine?
right downside
the type of curve for the cervical spine
concave, lordosis
the type of curve for the thoracic spine
convex, kyphotic , primary
what line must be perpendicular to the IR for the AP open mouth atlas & axis
midsagittal plane
where is the IR centered for an AP axial cervical spine
C4
where is the central ray directed for a lateral thoracic spine
T7
as a child what is the total number is vertebral bones? adult?
33, 26
the first compensatory curve
cervical curve
abnormal convexity of the thoracic spine “hunchback”
kyphosis
disease/condition that combines kyphosis & scoliosis
scheurmans disease
condition that when the soft nucleus protrudes through the outer fibrosis layer, it presses on the spinal cord and causes pain and numbness that run into the limbs
herniated nucleus pulpous (HNP)
what is the dens held in place by
transverse atlantal ligament
each facet or demi facet articulates with the head of a rib to form the
costovertebral joints
the first 10 thoracic vertebrae have facets on the transverse process that articulate with the tubercles of ribs
costotransverse joints
thoracic zygapophyseal joints are seen
at an angle of 70 - 75 from the MSP
breathing technique for a lateral T spine
25 mA, 2 secs
good for trauma imaging of the spine such as fractures , subluxations, HNP,tumors and pathology conditions. teardrop fracture
CT
good for demonstrating soft tissue structures associated with the spine such as disks, ligaments, and spinal cord itself
MRI
demonstrates physiologic processes that affect bone, looks for hot spots with tumors, mets, bone infections & pagets
nuclear medicine
fracture which results from hyperflexion of the neck resulting in avulsion fractures of the spinous processes C6-T1
clay shovelers
cervical RPO looks at
left upside IVF
cervical RAO looks at
right downside IVF
anterior oblique projections are preferred due to
reduced thyroid dose
posterior obliques look at the IVF and pedicles on the side
farther from the IR
hyperflexion & hyperextension projections are also know as
a functional study to demonstrate anteroposterior mobility
other names for the odontoid/dens method
AP (Fuchs) & PA (Judd)
ottonello method is also known as
wagging jaw AP C spine
T spine 70 degree oblique LPO looks at
upside zygapophyseal joint
T spine 70 degree oblique RAO looks at
downside zygapophyseal joint
