Clinical Anatomy - Spine

Question 1

how many vertebrae in the vertebral column

Answer 1

33

7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 4 coccygeal

Question 2

how many curves in a healthy spine

Answer 2

4

Question 3

features of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 3

small pedicles and long spinous processes

more vertical facet joints

Question 4

features of lumbar vertebrae

Answer 4

longer and wider pedicles
horizontal spinous processes
more horizontal facet joints

Question 5

function of facet joints

Answer 5

stabilise the spinal column

Question 6

what type of joint are facet joints

Answer 6

synovial

Question 7

what are the sacroiliac joints used for

Answer 7

shock absorption

Question 8

name for C1

Answer 8

atlas

Question 9

name for C2

Answer 9

axis

Question 10

features of C1

Answer 10

no body

articulates with occiput of skull

Question 11

features of C2

Answer 11

dens process

Question 12

features of cervical vertebrae

Answer 12

transverse foramen
small body, wide lamina
short transverse processes

Question 13

movements at atlanto-occipital joint

Answer 13

flexion
extension
lateral flexion

Question 14

movement at atlanto-dens joint

Answer 14

rotation

Question 15

first palpable vertebra (NB not most palpable)

Answer 15

C7

Question 16

features of intervertebral discs

Answer 16

outer annulus fibrosis and inner nucleus pulposus

accounts for 1/4 of length of spine

Question 17

ligaments running length of column

Answer 17

anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments

Question 18

ligament linking vertebral laminae

Answer 18

ligamentum flavum

Question 19

anterior column of spine contents

Answer 19

anterior longitudinal ligament
anterior annulus
anterior 2/3 of vertebral body

Question 20

middle column of spine contents

Answer 20

posterior 1/3 vertebral body
posterior annulus
posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 21

posterior column of spine contents

Answer 21

pedicles, lamina, facets
spinous processes
posterior ligaments

Question 22

3 column theory of denis

Answer 22

1 column injured - stable
2 columns injured - maybe unstable
3 columns injured - unstable

Question 23

the spinal cord is a continuation of what

Answer 23

medulla oblongata

Question 24

where does the spinal cord exit the skull

Answer 24

foramen magnum

Question 25

where does the spinal cord terminate

Answer 25

cauda equina at L2

Question 26

define myotomes

Answer 26

muscles controlled by the motor element of the nerve root from a specific level

Question 27

define dermatomes

Answer 27

skin sensation supplied by the sensory element of the nerve root from a specific level

Question 28

are sensory tracts ascending or descending

Answer 28

ascending

Question 29

are motor tracts ascending or descending

Answer 29

descending

Question 30

features of posterior/anterior spinocerebellar tracts (sensory)

Answer 30

ascend spine on ipsilateral side of the cord enter cerebellum carry info related to proprioception

Question 31

features of lateral/anterior spinothalamic tracts (sensory)

Answer 31

enter then ascend spine on ipsilateral side of cord for a couple of levels then cross and ascend on contralateral side enter thalamus carry info related to pain and temperature

Question 32

features of posterior columns - fasciculus gracilis of Goll, fasciculus cuneatus of Burdach (sensory)

Answer 32

ascend spine on ipsilateral side | carry info related to fine touch and proprioception

Question 33

features of crossed pyramidal/lateral cerebrospinal tract (motor)

Answer 33

crosses at medullary level | descend spine on contralateral side of cord

Question 34

features of uncrossed pyramidal/anterior cerebrospinal tract (motor)

Answer 34

descend spine on ipsilateral side of cord | cross at same level it exits cord

Question 35

white matter contains

Answer 35

ascending sensory tracts and descending motor tracts

Question 36

what do the posterior rami supply

Answer 36

intrinsic back muscles and skin sensation in the centre of the back

Question 37

what do the anterior rami supply

Answer 37

rest of body/limbs

Question 38

where do nerve roots exit spinal column

Answer 38

intervertebral foramina

Question 39

nerve roots in cauda equina

Answer 39

L2-5, S1-5, coccygeal

Question 40

what do the nerves of the cauda equina supply

Answer 40

pelvic organs and lower limbs

Question 41

spinal arterial supply

Answer 41

anterior and posterior spinal arteries descend from pia

Question 42

spinal venous supply

Answer 42

Batsons venous plexus - network of valveless veins connecting deep pelvic veins and thoracic veins to internal vertebral venous plexuses