IVD-Functions/Ligaments

Question 1

How does the intervertebral disc attach to the vertebral body?

Answer 1

Sharpey’s fibers from the outer lamellae of the annulus fibrosus are firmly embedded into the epiphyseal rims of the adjacent vertebral bodies

Question 2

What are the divisions of the embryonic somite?

Answer 2

the sclerotome, myotome, and dermatome

Question 3

What structure is formed following migration of sclerotomes to surround the notochord?

Answer 3

the intrasclerotomal fissure or fissure of von Ebner

Question 4

What does the intrasclerotomal fissure or fissure of von Ebner become?

Answer 4

the perichordal disc

Question 5

What will the dense sclerotomite become?

Answer 5

the upper part of the vertebral segment forming below

Question 6

What structure forms following migration and subsequent mixing of the sclerotomites?

Answer 6

the vertebral blastema

Question 7

What part of the interertebral disc will the notochord form?

Answer 7

the nucleus pulposus

Question 8

What part of the intervertebral disc will the perichordal disc form?

Answer 8

the annulus fibrosus

Question 9

What is the earliest indicator of the position of the adult intervertebral disc?

Answer 9

the intrasclerotomal fissure or fissure of von Ebner

Question 10

What vertebral levels will the anterior longitudinal ligament attach to?

Answer 10

those between occiput and S3 inclusive are traditionally indicated

Question 11

What is the lowest extent of the anterior longitudinal ligament based on recent studies?

Answer 11

L3

Question 12

What is believed to form the anterior longitudinal ligament in the lumbar spine?

Answer 12

the tendon of the crura of the diaphragm

Question 13

What innervates the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 13

the anterior neural plexus formed by fibers from the ventral primary ramus and sympathetic postganglionic fibers from the paravertebral ganglia

Question 14

What is the function of the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 14

it brakes or limits dorsi-flexion or hyperextension of the vertebral column

Question 15

What was ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament in the lumbar region identified as?

Answer 15

Forestier’s Disease

Question 16

What is ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament ligament in the lumbar region now identified as?

Answer 16

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis or DISH

Question 17

Newer research suggests what regional variation in the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 17

prominent in the cervicals, occasional in the thoracics, rare in the lumbars

Question 18

What is the relationship of the posterior longitudinal ligament attachment laterally?

Answer 18

it forms the anterior boundary of the spinal canal

Question 19

What is the innermost layer of the posterior longitudinal ligament called?

Answer 19

the perivertebral ligament

Question 20

What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 20

it brakes or limits flexion of the vertebral column

Question 21

Where is ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament most commonly identified?

Answer 21

the cervical spine with an 80% incidence

Question 22

What is the clinical sign of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the cervical spine?

Answer 22

a loss of hand and finger dexterity

Question 23

What is the clinical sign of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the lumbar spine?

Answer 23

faltering gait

Question 24

What is the gender, age, and ethnic bias associated with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 24

it is greater in males over 50 and has a higher incidence in the Japanese

Question 25

Based on histology, what is the classification of the intervertebral disc?

Answer 25

a cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis

Question 26

What is the name given to the ligamentum flavum based on appearance and histology?

Answer 26

it is a yellow elastic ligament

Question 27

What fibers are most ligaments made up of?

Answer 27

collagen type I fibers which are whitish in appearance

Question 28

Where is ossification of the ligamentum flavum most commonly identified?

Answer 28

the thoracic spine or thoracolumbar transition zone

Question 29

What is the relationship between the capsular ligament and mobility?

Answer 29

the more lax/loose the capsular ligament is, the greater the motion of the joint

Question 30

What regions of the vertebral column demonstrate the greatest laxity of capsular ligaments?

Answer 30

the cervical and lumbar regions

Question 31

What layers are present in the capsular ligament?

Answer 31

a superficial layer of collagen fibers and a deep layer of elastic fibers

Question 32

If the zygapophyseal capsular ligament is not significantly involved in restricting motion what is its function?

Answer 32

it is probably involved in proprioceptive feedback to the muscles stabilizing the vertebral couple during movement

Question 33

What is now thought to be a major function of the interspinous ligament?

Answer 33

it is more likely a proprioceptive transducer for the spinal reflex

Question 34

What is the name given to the superficial layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 34

the funicular layer or part

Question 35

What is the name given to the deep layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 35

the lamellar layer or part

Question 36

What are the attachment sites for the superficial layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 36

the external occipital protuberance, external occipital crest, and spinous tubercle of C7

Question 37

What is the histological make-up of the human ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 37

it is a yellow elastic ligamentum, but has more collagen fibers than in quadrupeds

Question 38

What is the classic function of the human ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 38

it brakes or limits flexion of the cervical spine

Question 39

What is the termination level inferiorly for the supraspinous ligament according to current literature?

Answer 39

primarily at L4 (73%); between L4 and L5 (5%)

Question 40

What is now thought to be a major function of the supraspinous ligament?

Answer 40

it is a proprioceptive transducer for the spinal reflex