Ch. 9- Intervertebral Joints, Discs and Ligaments

Question 1

What joint is the articulation b/n vertebrae C2 to L5 that articulate between vertebral bodies?

Answer 1

Amphiarthrodial (symphysis) joints

Question 2

What joint is the articulation b/n vertebrae C2 to L5 that articulate between articular facets?

Answer 2

Diarthrodial (gliding) joints

Question 3

What joint is the articulation b/n the L5 vertebral body and the base of the sacrum?

Answer 3

Amphiarthrodial (symphysis) joint

Question 4

What joint is the articulation b/n the inferior articular facets of L5 and superior articular facets of the sacrum?

Answer 4

Diarthrodial (gliding) joints

Question 5

What joint is the articulation b/n the occipital condyles of the occipital bone and the superior articular facet of C1?

Answer 5

Diarthrodial (condylar) joint

Question 6

What joint is the articulation b/n the dens process of C2 and the posterior aspect of the anterior arch of C1?

Answer 6

Diarthrodial (pivot) joints

Held together by transverse ligament

Question 7

What joint is the articulation b/n the superior articular facets of C2 and inferior articular facets of C1?

Answer 7

Diarthrodial (Gliding) joints

Question 8

What are fibrocartilage discs?

Answer 8

Found b/n the vertebral bodies of adjacent vertebrae from C2 to sacrum

Consists of

• annulus fibrosis
• nucleus pulposus

Question 9

What is an annulus fibrosis?

Answer 9

Outer layer

Consists of a thin external layer of collagen fibers covering overlapping laminae of fibrocartilage

Collagen fibers in each laminae lie in parallel abs run in oblique direction

Collagen fibers are orthogonally arranged in adjacent layers
- proved strength and the ability to resist forces from different directions

Question 10

What is a nucleus pulposus?

Answer 10

Inner layer

Located in the center of the annulus fibrosis

Consists of gel like material

Becomes smaller with age and is partially replaced by fibrocartilage

Question 11

What are the 3 degrees of freedom in the vertebral column?

Answer 11

1) flexion/ extension/ hyper extension
2) lateral flexion
3) rotation

Question 12

Where is the anterior longitudinal ligament located?

Answer 12

Extends b/n C1 and the sacrum

Question 13

Where is the anterior atlantoccipital membrane located?

Answer 13

Extends b/n anterior margin of the foramen magnum and upper body of the anterior arch of C1

Question 14

What is the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 14

Located inside the vertebral canal

Question 15

Where is the tectorial membrane located?

Answer 15

Upward continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Connects posterior aspect of dens to anterior surface of the foramen magnum

Question 16

Where is the ligament flava located?

Answer 16

Connects the lamina of adjacent vertebrae

Extends from C2 to the 1st sacral segment

Extends b/n lamina if C2 abs posterior arch is C1

Question 17

Where is the posterior Atlanto-occipital membrane located?

Answer 17

Connects the superior aspect if the posterior arch if C1 to the posterior margin of the foramen magnum

Question 18

Where is the ligamentum nuchae located?

Answer 18

Midline ligament

Extends from EOP and external occipital crest to spinous process of C7

Attached to posterior tubercle of C1 and spinous process of C2-C7

Question 19

Where is the supraspinous ligament located?

Answer 19

Connects tips of the spinous process of adjacent vertebrae from C7 to sacrum

Question 20

Where is the interspinous ligament located?

Answer 20

Connects the spinous process of adjacent vertebrae

Extends from C2 spinous process to first sacral segment

Blends with ligamenta flava and supraspinous ligament