Lumbar Spine

Question 1

How many lumbar vertebrae are there?

Answer 1

5

Question 2

What are the functions of the spine?

Answer 2

Central pillar of the body 
Support - skull, pelvis, ribs, upper limbs
Protect - spinal cord, cauda equiain 
Movement 
Haemopoiesis

Question 3

What are the main parts of a lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 3

Vertebral body

Vertebral arch

Question 4

What lies between the body and the arch?

Answer 4

Vertebral foramen

Question 5

What is found in the vertebral foramen?

Answer 5

Conus
Cauda equina
Meninges

Question 6

How many processes extend from the vertebral arch?

Answer 6

7

Question 7

What are the processes on the vertebral arch?

Answer 7

1x spinous process
2x transverse process
2x superior articular process
2x inferior articular process

Question 8

Draw a lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 8

See notes

Question 9

What bone makes up the vertebral body?

Answer 9

10% cortical bone

90% cancellous bone

Question 10

What is the function of the vertebral body?

Answer 10

Main weight bearing component

Question 11

What covers the superior and inferior articular surfaces of the vertebral body?

Answer 11

Hyaline cartilage

Question 12

What do the superior articular processes articulate with?

Answer 12

Interlock with vertebrae above

Question 13

What do the inferior articular processes articulate with?

Answer 13

Interlock with vertebra below

Question 14

What is the lamina?

Answer 14

Connects transverse process to spinous process

Question 15

What is the pedicle?

Answer 15

Connects transverse process to vertebral body

Question 16

What type of joint is made by the superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae?

Answer 16

Facet joint

Question 17

What lines a facet joint?

Answer 17

Hyaline cartilage

Question 18

Where do spinal nerves emerge?

Answer 18

Intervertebral foramina

Question 19

What movements can lumbar spine do?

Answer 19

Flexion
Extension
Lateral flexion
Rotation

Question 20

What makes up the intervertebral discs?

Answer 20

70% water
20% collagen
10% proteoglycans

Question 21

What shape are the intervertebral discs?

Answer 21

Slightly wedge shaped posteriorly

Question 22

What are the 2 regions of intervertebral discs?

Answer 22

Nucleus pulposus

Annulus fibrosus

Question 23

Where is the annulus fibrosus in an intervertebral disc?

Answer 23

Peripheral rings

Question 24

What is the function of the annulus fibrosus?

Answer 24

Shock absorber

Question 25

What makes the annulus fibrosus?

Answer 25

Type 1 collagen

Question 26

Where is the nucleus pulposus in the intervertebral disc?

Answer 26

Centre

Question 27

What makes the nucleus pulposus?

Answer 27

Type 2 collagen

Question 28

What are the main ligaments of the vertebral column?

Answer 28

``` Anterior longitudinal ligament Posterior longitudinal ligament Ligamentum flavum Interspinous ligaments Supraspinous ligaments ```

Question 29

What is the purpose of the ligaments?

Answer 29

Provide stability

Question 30

Which longitudinal ligament is stronger?

Answer 30

Anterior

Question 31

Where does the anterior longitudinal ligament lie?

Answer 31

Anterior tubercle of atlas to sacrum Blends with periosteum of vertebral bodies

Question 32

What is the function of the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 32

Prevents hyperextension

Question 33

Where does the posterior longitudinal ligament lie?

Answer 33

Body of axis to sacral canal Lies on posterior aspect of vertebral body

Question 34

What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 34

Prevents hyperflexion Reinforces annulus fibrosus centrally

Question 35

Where does ligamentum flavum lie?

Answer 35

Between laminae of adjacent vertebrae

Question 36

What makes ligamentum flavum?

Answer 36

Elastin

Question 37

Where do interspinous ligaments lie?

Answer 37

Between spinous process of adjacent vertebrae Fuse with supraspinous ligaments

Question 38

Where do supraspinous ligaments lie?

Answer 38

Tips of adjacent spinous processes

Question 39

What is the function of the supraspinous ligaments?

Answer 39

Mechanical support during flexion

Question 40

What is the sacrum?

Answer 40

5 fused vertebrae

Question 41

What does the sacrum articulate with?

Answer 41

Superiorly - L5 Laterally - illium Inferiorly - coccyx

Question 42

What is the coccyx?

Answer 42

4 fused vertebrae

Question 43

What is the normal spinal curvature in a foetus?

Answer 43

Single C shaped curve

Question 44

What is kyphosis?

Answer 44

Spine concaves anteriorly

Question 45

What is lordosis?

Answer 45

Spine curves posteriorly

Question 46

What happens to the spine in the development from foetus to adult?

Answer 46

Primary curvature remodelled to add 2 secondary curvature Cervical lordosis developed when baby begins to lift head Lumbar spine loses kyphosis during crawling Lumbar lordosis develops when child starts walking

Question 47

What is the normal spinal curvature in a young adult?

Answer 47

4 distinct curvatures 2 kyphoses - thoracic + sacrococcygeal 2 lordosis - cervical + lumbar

Question 48

What happens to the spinal curvature in old age?

Answer 48

Loss of secondary curvatures due to loss of discs and osteoporotic fractures Known as senile kyphosis

Question 49

What happens to the spinal curvature in pregnancy?

Answer 49

Exaggeration of lumbar lordosis