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Gross Anatomy I NYCC > Joints of the Vertebral Column > Flashcards

Joints of the Vertebral Column Flashcards

(80 cards)

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1
Q

What type of joint are intervertebral discs part of?

A

Symphysis

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2
Q

Location of intervertebral discs

A

Between vertebral bodies from C2 to sacrum
Degenerate disc between S5 and Cx1

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3
Q

Intervertebral disc shape throughout the spine

A
  • Thicker anterior>posterior in cervical & lumbar (creates spinal curvatures)
  • flat in thoracic, thinnest in upper thoracic
  • thickest in lumbar region
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4
Q

Intervertebral disc ligament attachments

A
  • attached to ALL & PLL
  • attached to heads of ribs via interarticular ligaments
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5
Q

Functions of annulus fibrosis

A

Enclose and retain nucleus pulposus
Absorb compressive shocks
Structural unit between vertebral bodies
Allows restricted motion

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6
Q

Describe zones of annulus fibrosis

A

Outer collagenous zone,
wider, inner fibrocartilage zone arranged in lamellae

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7
Q

annulus fibrosis

Fibers at adjacent
laminae are arranged…

A

obliquely at 30 degrees
from horizontal

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8
Q

annulus fibrosis

Oblique arrangement of fibers gives…

A

torsional strength to disc

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9
Q

The intervetebral discs are composed of:

A

nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosis

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10
Q

Intervertebral discs adhere to…

A

Adhere to surface of vertebral body above & below via vertebral end plate with thin layer of hyaline cartilage

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11
Q

Function of nucleus pulposus

A

Resilient spacer allowing motion between vertebrae
Distributes compressive forces

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12
Q

Nucleus pulposis makes up how much bulk of disc?

A

40%

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13
Q

Nucleus pulposus is located more ____ than ____

A

Posterior>anterior

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14
Q

Describe changes to the nucleus pulposus throughout life

A

Larger at birth, decreases in size with age (dehydrates)
Notochordal cells disappear within first decade of life

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15
Q

What is the nucleus pulposis made of?

A

High water content, remains of notochord (mesoderm)

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16
Q

Innervation of posterior intervertebral disc

A

recurrent meningeal nerve

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17
Q

Innervation of posterolateral intervertebral disc

A

ventral rami
gray rami communicants

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18
Q

Innervation of anterolateral intervertebral disc

A

gray rami communicant
sympathetic trunk

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19
Q

What is a disc herniation?

A

Nucleus pulposus extrudes through a defect in annulus fibrosis

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20
Q

What direction is a disc herniation most likely to occur?

A

Posterolaterally
(Nucleus pulposus is located more posteriorly)

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21
Q

Disc herniation is most likely to occur…

A
  • lumbar region (annulus is thinnest)
  • posterolaterally (posterior longitudinal lig is directly posterior)
  • under 55 years (less to bulge out with aging due to dehydration)
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22
Q

Vascularization of intervertebral discs

A

Avascular except for periphery

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23
Q

Zygapophyseal joints are what type of joint?

A

Plane synovial

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24
Q

Zygapophyseal joints are at what angle in the cervical region of the spine?

A

45 degrees

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25
Zygapophyseal joints are at what angle in the thoracic region of the spine?
60 degrees
26
Zygapophyseal joints are at what angle in the lumbar region of the spine?
90 degrees
27
Zygapophyseal joints may contain what in lumbar region?
fat pads or fibroadipose menisci
28
Innervation of zygapophyseal joints
medial branches of dorsal rami, ascending branch of nerve below and descending of nerve above
29
Non-segmental syndesmoses of spine include:
ALL, PLL, supraspinous ligament, ligamentum nuchae
30
# Non-segmental syndesmosis Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL) location and attachments
Anterior surfaces of vertebral bodies and IVDs (S5-C2)
31
Anterior longitudinal ligament is tense in ____
Extension
32
# Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL) Between occipital and C1
atlantooccipital membrane
33
# Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL) Between C1 and C2
atlantoaxial membrane
34
# Non-segmental syndesmosis Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL) location and attachment
Lies in vertebral canal, attaches to vertebral bodies and IVDs (S5-C2)
35
# Non-segmental syndesmosis Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL) is continuous with...
tectorial membrane above C2
36
# non-segmental syndesmosis Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL) is broader in...
cervical and thoracic regions
37
Posterior longitudinal ligament is tense in ____
Flexion
38
#non-segmental syndesmosis In lower thoracic and lumbar regions, Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL) is:
denticulated (broader over discs, narrow over bodies)
39
# non-segmental syndesmosis Supraspinous ligament
Strong fibrous cord connecting apices of spinous processes from C7 to sacrum
40
# non-segmental syndesmoses Between C7 and occipital, the supraspinous ligament is replaced by:
ligamentum nuchae
41
# Non-segmental syndesmosis Ligamentum nuchae attaches...
from external occipital protruberance along median occipital crest, posterior tubercle of atlas, spinous processes of cervical vertebrae
42
# non-segmental syndemosis Ligamentum nuchae structure
Bilaminar, fibroelastic membrane Homologous with supraspinous and interspinous ligaments
43
# non-segmental syndesmosis Ligamentum nuchae function
passively supports head, tensed in flexion
44
# the following are examples of ____ Ligamentum Flavum Interspinous Ligaments Intertranvserse Ligaments Accessory Ligament Cruciate Ligament Apical Ligament of Dens
segmental syndesmoses
45
# segmental syndesmosis Ligamentum flavum location
one pair between laminae of adjacent vertebrae (sacrum-C2)
46
# segmental syndesmosis Ligamentum flavum is composed of:
yellow elastic collagen
47
# ligamentum flava posterior atlantooccipital membrane location
between posterior arch of atlas and foramen magnum
48
# ligamentum flava posterior atlantoaxial membrane location
between posterior arch of atlas and laminae of axis
49
Ligamentum flavum include:
posterior atlantoaxial membrane posterior atlantooccipital membrane
50
# segmental syndesmosis Ligamentum flavum function
brake separation between laminae during flexion of spine
51
# segmental syndesmosis Interspinous ligaments anteriorly meet: and posteriorly meet:
anteriorly: ligamentum flava posteriorly: supraspinous ligament
52
# segmental syndesmosis Interspinous ligaments location
Connect adjacent spinous processes along length
53
function of interspinous ligaments
limit flexion
54
# segmental syndesmosis Intertransverse ligaments location
between transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae
55
# segmental syndesmosis Intertransverse ligaments in cervical:
largely replaced by intertransverse muscles
56
# segmental syndesmosis Intertransverse ligaments in thoracic:
blend with adjacent muscles
57
# segmental syndesmosis Intertransverse ligaments in lumbar:
thin and membranous
58
function of intertransverse ligaments
limit lateral flexion
59
# segmental syndesmosis Alar ligaments location
Arise from each side of apex of dens, ascend laterally to impressions on medial sides of occipital condyles
60
# segmental syndesmosis Alar ligaments function
Relax in extension Tighten in flexion Check rotation to contralateral side
61
Lateral atlantoaxial joints location
Between lateral masses of atlas and superior facets of transverse processes of axis
62
lateral atlantoaxial joint classification
plane, synovial
63
# segmental syndesmosis Describe accessory ligament
posteromedial thickening at lateral atlantoaxial joints (Zygoapophyseal joints of C1-C2)
64
# segmental syndesmosis Cruciate ligament is formed by:
transverse atlantal ligament, superior and inferior longitudinal ligaments
65
Transverse Atlantal ligament attachments
Wraps around dens of C2, between lateral masses of C1
66
# cruciate ligament Superior band of longitudinal fibers location
arise from transverse ligament and attaches to clivus deep to tectorial membrane
67
# cruciate ligament Inferior band of longitudinal fibers location
arises from transverse ligament, attaches to body of axis deep to PLL
68
# atlantoaxial joints Vertebrae are connected via:
posterior and anterior atlantoaxial membranes
69
# segmental syndesmosis Tectorial membrane is a continuation of:
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL)
70
# segmental syndesmosis Tectorial membrane location
Ascends posterior to dens and cruciate ligament Attaches to clivus of occipital and sphenoid (Body C2-clivus)
71
# segmental syndesmosis Tectorial membrane blends with:
cranial dura mater
72
# segmental syndesmosis Apical dental ligament location
attaches dens of axis to occipital bone
73
Intervertebral discs are thicker in ____ and ____ regions, allowing for…
Lumber & cervical Greater mobility
74
Functions of intervertebral discs
- bear weight - dissipate shock (higher water content) - distribute load - flexible buffer between rigid vertebrae - adequate motion at low loads, stability at higher loads
75
What type of joint are intervertebral discs?
Symphysis
76
Kyphosis
Convex posteriorly
77
Lordosis
Convex anteriorly
78
Scoliosis
Lateral curvature (pathological)
79
Severe untreated scoliosis can cause…
Deformity of rib cage and vertebral curvature
80
Structural vs functional scoliosis
Structural: - hemivertebra - age ~10-15 years Functional: - muscles tight on one side - uneven hips - spine curves to compensate

Gross Anatomy I NYCC (15 decks)

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