Clinically Relevant Anatomy of the Back, Spine and Spinal Cord

Question 1

Extrinsic back muscles

Answer 1

Trapezius, latissimus dorsi, levato scapulae, major and minor rhomboids

Question 2

Intrinsic back muscles

Answer 2

Transversospinalis & erector spinae

Question 3

What are the 3 muscle fibres which make up erector spinae?

Answer 3

Iliocostalis, spinalis & longissimus.

Question 4

Which muscles are responsible for extension of the spine?

Answer 4

Intrinsic back muscles

Question 5

Which muscles are responsible for flexion of the spine?

Answer 5

Posts major & rectus abdomens

Question 6

What is the nerve supply to the intrinsic back muscles?

Answer 6

Posterior rami (myotome pattern).

Question 7

Which areas of the spine display primary curvature?

Answer 7

Kyphosis - thoracic and sacral

Question 8

Wich areas of the spine display secondary curvature?

Answer 8

Lordosis - cervical and lumbar

Question 9

Name the joint between the vertebral columns at the articular processes.

Answer 9

Facet joints

Question 10

Which vertebral process projects laterally & articulates with the ribs?

Answer 10

Transverse process

Question 11

Which vertebral process projects posteriorly?

Answer 11

Spinous process

Question 12

In conjunction with the other vertebral bodies this foramen forms the canal that conveys and protects the spinal cord

Answer 12

Vertebral foramen

Question 13

Which structures form the vertebral arch?

Answer 13

Lamina x2 and pedicle x2

Question 14

Which foramen is found bilaterally between adjacent vertebrae, forming a channel for the spinal nerves?

Answer 14

Intervertebral foramen.

Question 15

Pain from he facet joints is transmitted by which nerves?

Answer 15

Posterior rami

Question 16

Which structures are found between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae?

Answer 16

Vertebral discs

Question 17

Which structures make up the vertebral disc?

Answer 17

Annulus fibrosis - hard, forms periphery (strength)

Nucleus pulposus - softer, forms centre (flexibility)

Question 18

Short ligamentous structure which connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae

Answer 18

Ligamentum flavum

Question 19

A long narrow (weak) ligamentous structure at the posterior aspect of the spine to prevent over-flexion.

Answer 19

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 20

A long broad (strong) ligamentous structure at the anterior aspect of the spine to prevent over-extension.

Answer 20

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 21

Strong short ligamentous structure found between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae.

Answer 21

Spinous ligament

Question 22

Short weak ligamentous structure connecting the superior and inferior surfaces of adjacent spinous process.

Answer 22

Interspinous ligament

Question 23

A foramen found only in the cervical vertebrae for passage of vertebral arteries.

Answer 23

Transverse foramen in transverse processes

Question 24

Which vertebra has no body or spinous process?

Answer 24

Atlas (C1)

Question 25

Which vertebra has an odontoid process?

Answer 25

Axis (C2)

Question 26

Which vertebrae has the first externally palpable spinous process?

Answer 26

C7

Question 27

Which is the first vertebra with a spinous process that is not forked?

Answer 27

C7

Question 28

The synovial joint between the occipital bone and the first vertebra is know as _______

Answer 28

The atlanto-occipital joint

Question 29

How many joints are there between the atlas and axis?

Answer 29

3 synovial joints: 2 between inferior articular facet of atlas and superior articular facet of the axis 1 between the anterior arch of the atlas and the odontoid process of the atlas.

Question 30

What passes through the sacral foraminae?

Answer 30

Sacral spinal nerves

Question 31

What is the palpable inferior end of the spinal canal?

Answer 31

The sacral hiatus

Question 32

What is the name of the surgical procedure to remove part of the spinal cord in order to gain access to the spinal canal?

Answer 32

Laminectomy