Exam One Material 2.1-2.2

Question 1

What two main parts form a typical vertebra?

Answer 1

Body and vertebral arch

Question 2

What structure is formed by successive vertebral foramina?

Answer 2

Vertebral canal

Question 3

What type of cartilage covers intervertebral surfaces?

Answer 3

Hyaline cartilage

Question 4

What is the role of intervertebral discs?

Answer 4

Bind vertebrae and absorb shock

Question 5

What is the function of the vertebral arch?

Answer 5

Protect the spinal cord

Question 6

What structures form the intervertebral foramina?

Answer 6

Superior and inferior vertebral notches of adjacent pedicles

Question 7

How many processes extend from a typical vertebral arch?

Answer 7

7

Question 8

What are the paired processes projecting from the junction of pedicle and lamina?

Answer 8

Superior and inferior articular processes

Question 9

What is the function of transverse processes?

Answer 9

Muscle attachment and leverage

Question 10

What type of joints are zygapophyseal joints?

Answer 10

Synovial joints

Question 11

What motion does the atlanto-occipital joint primarily allow?

Answer 11

Flexion and extension (“Yes” motion)

Question 12

What motion does the atlanto-axial joint primarily allow?

Answer 12

Rotation (“No” motion)

Question 13

What is the defining feature of C1 (atlas)?

Answer 13

Ring shape with lateral masses and no body

Question 14

What is the dens and which vertebra has it?

Answer 14

Odontoid process on C2 (axis)

Question 15

What cervical vertebra has a long, non-bifid spinous process?

Answer 15

C7 (vertebra prominens)

Question 16

What type of fracture is associated with C1?

Answer 16

Jefferson’s fracture

Question 17

What type of injury causes a hangman’s fracture?

Answer 17

Hyperextension injury to C2

Question 18

How many thoracic vertebrae are there?

Answer 18

12

Question 19

What feature allows thoracic vertebrae to articulate with ribs?

Answer 19

Costal facets

Question 20

Which thoracic vertebrae may lack transverse costal facets?

Answer 20

T11 and T12

Question 21

How many lumbar vertebrae are there?

Answer 21

5

Question 21

What unique feature is found on the superior articular process of lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 21

Mammillary process

Question 22

What shape are lumbar spinous processes?

Answer 22

Hatchet-shaped

Question 23

How many fused vertebrae form the sacrum?

Answer 23

5

Question 24

What is the anterior projecting edge of S1 called?

Answer 24

Sacral promontory

Question 25

What forms the sacral hiatus?

Answer 25

Failure of fusion of S5 laminae

Question 26

How many vertebrae typically make up the coccyx?

Answer 26

4

Question 27

What is sacralization?

Answer 27

Fusion of L5 with the sacrum

Question 28

What is lumbarization?

Answer 28

Separation of S1 from sacrum

Question 29

What are the four normal adult spinal curvatures?

Answer 29

Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral

Question 30

Which spinal curvatures are primary?

Answer 30

Thoracic and sacral

Question 31

Which spinal curvatures are secondary?

Answer 31

Cervical and lumbar

Question 32

What is kyphosis?

Answer 32

Excessive posterior curvature of thoracic spine

Question 33

What is lordosis?

Answer 33

Excessive anterior curvature of lumbar spine

Question 34

What is scoliosis?

Answer 34

Lateral curvature of the spine

Question 35

What part of the intervertebral disc is jelly-like and shock-absorbing?

Answer 35

Nucleus pulposus

Question 36

What structure contains concentric rings of fibrocartilage in the disc?

Answer 36

Anulus fibrosus

Question 37

Which ligament runs along the anterior vertebral bodies?

Answer 37

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 38

Which ligament limits flexion and runs within the vertebral canal?

Answer 38

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 39

What ligament connects adjacent laminae?

Answer 39

Ligamentum flavum

Question 40

Which ligament is expanded in the neck as the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 40

Supraspinous ligament

Question 41

Which joint allows rotation of the head side to side?

Answer 41

Atlanto-axial joint

Question 42

What are the two ligaments stabilizing the dens?

Answer 42

Transverse and alar ligaments

Question 43

What limits movement between vertebrae? (Name one factor)

Answer 43

Orientation of zygapophyseal joints

Question 44

What spinal region has horizontal zygapophyseal joints for multidirectional motion?

Answer 44

Cervical region

Question 45

What spinal region allows rotation but limits flexion/extension?

Answer 45

Thoracic region

Question 46

What region is prone to injuries from rotational forces?

Answer 46

Lumbar region

Question 47

What type of joint is between the vertebral bodies?

Answer 47

Symphysis (secondary cartilaginous joint)

Question 48

What structure most often causes nerve compression in a herniated disc?

Answer 48

Posterior-lateral displacement of nucleus pulposus

Question 49

What is spina bifida occulta?

Answer 49

Failure of laminae of L5/S1 to fuse without neurological deficits

Question 50

How many vertebrae does the typical adult vertebral column have?

Answer 50

33

Question 51

What is the normal vertebral count range due to variations?

Answer 51

32 to 34

Question 52

Where is the nucleus pulposus located within the intervertebral disc?

Answer 52

Slightly posterior, not centered

Question 53

What ligament assists in returning the spine to the erect position after flexion?

Answer 53

Ligamentum flavum

Question 54

What spinal level lacks an intervertebral disc above it?

Answer 54

C1 (no disc between C1 and C2)

Question 55

What vertebra does the last intervertebral disc sit below?

Answer 55

L5

Question 56

What forms the sacral hiatus?

Answer 56

Failure of fusion of the laminae of S5

Question 57

What is the name of the tubercle on C1 where the transverse ligament attaches?

Answer 57

Tubercle on the medial aspect of the lateral mass

Question 58

What is the sulcus on the superior surface of the atlas for?

Answer 58

Vertebral artery

Question 59

What cervical vertebra has a long spinous process and minimal transverse foramina?

Answer 59

C7 (vertebra prominens)

Question 60

What specific arteries supply the cervical region of the vertebral column?

Answer 60

Vertebral and ascending cervical arteries

Question 61

What arteries supply the thoracic vertebral region?

Answer 61

Posterior intercostal arteries

Question 62

What arteries supply the lumbar vertebral region?

Answer 62

Subcostal and lumbar arteries

Question 63

What condition involves partial or complete fusion of L5 with the sacrum?

Answer 63

Sacralization

Question 64

What condition occurs when S1 separates from the sacrum and resembles a lumbar vertebra?

Answer 64

Lumbarization

Question 65

What curvature is present in the fetal vertebral column?

Answer 65

C-shaped, concave anteriorly

Question 66

Which curvature develops when a baby begins to hold their head up?

Answer 66

Cervical curvature

Question 67

What type of curvature results in a lateral bend of the spine?

Answer 67

Scoliosis

Question 68

What spinal defect occurs in about 10% of the population and may be asymptomatic?

Answer 68

Spina bifida occulta

Question 69

What condition involves herniation of meninges and/or spinal cord through a bony defect?

Answer 69

Spina bifida cystica