Clinical Anatomy + Pathology of Spine; Lower Limb ; Knee; Upper Limb [Instability, Impingement] Flashcards
(168 cards)
How many vertebrae make up the spinal column?
How many sections?
How many vertebrae per section?
33 vertebrae
5 sections:
- 7 cervical
- 12 thoracic
- 5 lumbar
- 5 sacral (fused)
- 4 coccygeal (fused)
Curves of the healthy spine
4 curves of the healthy spine
Atlas (C1)
Does not have a vertebral body
Is fused with C2
C1 & C2 allow…
head rotation
C7 (Vertebra prominens)
- is spinous process bifid?
- does C7 transmit vertebral artery
No/very small foramina transverse process
Does not transmit the vertebral artery
Spinous process end is rounded and NOT bifid
Between which vertebrae is there no intervertebral disc?
c1 & c2
Intervertebral disc
- type of joint
- structure
Secondary cartilaginous joint
Outer annulous pulposus
Inner nucleus pulposus (squishy)
Facet joints (zygapophysial joints)
Flexion
extension
lateral flexion
at facet joints and intervertebral discs ==> cumulative effect.
Why is there less flexion/extension in thoracic spine?
Constraint of ribs.
Lumbar rotation is less than thoracic due to…
More vertically orientated facet joints.
Intervertebral disc loses water content with…leading to…
when is pain worse - on extension or flexion?
water content with ageing
Leads to overload facet joints & 2° OA
Pain worse with extension of spine
OA in one or two motion segments can be treated?
Yes
With localise fusion
Controversial as OA will affect adjacent level by 5 years and results inconsistent
Intervertebral Disc - what happens with age
Degeneration with age - loss H2O content
Most frequent in L4/5 & L5/S1
60% asymptomatic people over 45 have bulging discs on MRI
10% have disc extrusion
5% have asymptomatic nerve root compression
Therefore MRI not diagnostic
Where do most intervertebral disc prolapses occur?
Most at L4/5 or L5/S1
Lifting heavy object –> annulus tear –> twang
Rich innervation outer annulus
Pain on coughing
Most settle by 3 months
Where do motor neurons originate? (from spinal cord)
Anteriorly
Bodies in anterior grey horn.
Where do sensory neurons originate? (from spinal cord)
Originate dorsally.
Bodies in dorsal root ganglion.
Where do the anterior and posterior roots exit? (after forming mixed spinal nerve)
Intervertebral foramen
In the lumbar spine (cauda equine), sensory and motor nerves?
Run together with 2 pairs at each level susceptible to compression
Where does the spinal cord “end”?
At L1 –> Cauda equina
What is the structure at the end of the spinal cord? (where the cauda equina starts)
Conus medullaris
Upper motor neuron pathologies lead to…
Weakness
Spasticity
Increased tone
Hyperreflexia
Lower motor neuron pathologies lead to…
Weakness
Flaccidity
Loss of reflexes
Exiting nerve root (outside the thecal sac) passes…
Under the pedicle of the corresponding vertebra
L4 root passes under L4 pedicle.
Traversing nerve root pair…
whilst remaining in the thecal sac is positioned anteriorly (lateral recess)
In preparation to penetrate the thecal sac and become the next exiting nerve root more distally.