Day 9

Question 1

What characteristic(s) of the L1-L4 vertebral body may be used to differentiate it from the L5 segment? Be specific and complete as the difference(s) on a segment from each group.

Answer 1

On cranial view, the lateral surface of the pedicle is apparent on a L1-L4 segment.
At L5 the transverse process originates from the vertebral body, pedicle and lamina-pedicle region.
In addition, the vertebral body of L5 is more wedge-shaped on lateral view with a much greater anterior height than posterior height

Question 2

What accounts for the direction of the lumbar curve?

Answer 2

the vertebral body and intervertebral disc have a greater anterior height than a posterior height

Question 3

What is the effect of aging on the vertebral body of a lumbar vertebra?

Answer 3

decrease in height, increase in circumference

Question 4

How many joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of a typical lumbar?

Answer 4

six

Question 5

What joint classification will be observed at the vertebral body of a typical lumbar?

Answer 5

cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis joint and fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint

Question 6

What muscles may attach to a typical lumbar vertebral body?

Answer 6

psoas major and psoas minor

Question 7

What is the name given to ligaments which attach the vertebral body to articular process?

Answer 7

transforaminal ligaments

Question 8

What are the attachment sites of the superior transforamninal ligament at the L1-L2 intervertebral foramen?

Answer 8

L1 vertebral body and the inferior articular process of L1

Question 9

What are the attachment sites of the middle transforaminal ligament at the L1-L2 IVF?

Answer 9

intervertebral disc and the inferior articular process of L1

Question 10

What are the attachment sites of the of the inferior transforaminal ligament at the L1-L2 IVF?

Answer 10

L2 vertebral body and the superior articular process of L2

Question 11

What are the attachment sites of the superior corporotransverse ligaments at the L1-L2 IVF?

Answer 11

L1 vertebral body and L1-L2 intervertebral disc to the transverse process of L2

Question 12

What are the attachment sites of the inferior corporotransverse ligaments at the L1-L2 IVF?

Answer 12

L2 vertebral body and L2-L3 intervertebral disc to the transverse process of L2

Question 13

**Hofmann ligaments are identified in which regions along the vertebral column?

Answer 13

cervical- upper thoracic region and lumbar region

Question 14

**Cervical- upper thoracic Hofmann ligaments will attach what structures together?

Answer 14

dura mater to segments above

Question 15

**What is the highest level known to demonstrate Hofmann ligaments?

Answer 15

C6

Question 16

**What is the proposed function of the cervical- upper thoracic Hofmann ligaments?

Answer 16

resist caudal movement of the dural sac; resist gravitational forces on the dura and cord

Question 17

**Lumbar Hofmann ligaments will attach what structures together?

Answer 17

dura mater to lower segments

Question 18

** What is the proposed function of the lumbar Hofmann ligaments?

Answer 18

resist cranial movement of the dural sac during flexion

Question 19

**What osseous conditions of lumbar vertebrae facilitate a spinal tap in this region?

Answer 19

overlap of the laminae, shingling, diminishes;

overlap of spinous processes, imbrication, diminishes

Question 20

**What is the name of the elevation near the origin of the lumbar transverse process?

Answer 20

accessory process

Question 21

**Congenital elongation of the lumbar accessory process results in what feature?

Answer 21

styloid process

Question 22

**Congenital elongation of the lumbar accessory process occurs with what frequency?

Answer 22

7% occurrence

Question 23

What ligament(s) will attach to the lumbar accessory process?

Answer 23

mammillo-accessory ligament

Question 24

What was believed to be entrapped by the mammillo-accessory ligament?

Answer 24

the medial branch of the dorsal ramus of a lumbar spinal nerve

Question 25

What muscle(s) attach to the lumbar accessory process?

Answer 25

longissimus thoracis and intertransversarii

Question 26

What ligament attaches the twelfth rib to the transverse process of L1?

Answer 26

the lumbocostal ligament

Question 27

**What muscles may attach to the transverse process of a typical lumbar vertebra?

Answer 27

psoas major, quadratus lumborum, longissimus thoracis, rotator brevis, rotator longus and intertransversarii