Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Musculoskeletal System > Lumbar Spine Structure And Disorders > Flashcards

Lumbar Spine Structure And Disorders Flashcards

(49 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

How many vertebrae are in the lumbar Spinal region

A

5

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the most mobile regions of the spinal cord

A

Cervical and lumbar

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the functions of the spinal cord

A
  • support the skull, pelvis, upper limb and thoracic cage
  • protects the spinal cord and cauda equina
  • allows for movement
  • haemopoiesis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

why is the thoracic region relatively immobile

A

as the ribs articulate with these vertebrae restricting movement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

how many vertebrae make up the spinal column

A

33

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what are the movements of the spinal cord

A
  • flexion and extension
  • lateral flexion
  • rotation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what type of bone is the vertebral body mostly made up of and why

A

cancellous bone as its light weight, can resist compression (as the body is the main weight bearing part) and also can carry out other functions like haemopoiesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

why does the size of the vertebral bodies increase as you go inferiorly

A

as there are greater compressive forces

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is a laminectomy

A

removal of the spinal processes and lamina to relieve compression of the spinal nerve

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what makes up the vertebral arch

A

lamina and pedicle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what is the type of joint found between the superior and inferior articular processes

A

facet/plane joint

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what strengthens the facet joints

A

ligamentum flavum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what are the advantages of the design of the facet joints

A

the interlocking design prevents anterior dislocation and determines the amount of flexion and rotation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what are intervertebral discs made up of

A

70% water, 20% collagen and 10% proteoglycans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what happens to the height of the IV discs with age

A

they become shorter as the repair of the proteoglycans decreases so they hold less water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what 2 regions do IV discs consist of

A
  • nucleus pulposus

- annular fibrosus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

describe the structure of the annular fibrosus and its function

A
  • made up of outer lamellae (type 1 collagen) and inner lamellae (fibrocartilaginous)
  • acts as a shock absorber and is resilient under compression
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what is the nucleus pulposus

A

centre of the IV disc made up of type 2 collagen and is gelatinous
changes in size through the day and with age

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what are the main ligaments of the spine and where are they found

A
  • anterior longitudinal = covers the vertebral bodies and prevents hyperextension
  • posterior longitudinal = covers vertebral body facing the spinal canal and prevents hyperflexion
  • ligamentum flavum = between lamina of vertebrae
  • interspinous = unite spinous processes
  • supraspinous = join the tips of adjacent spinous processes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

true or false - the posterior longitudinal ligament is stronger than the anterior

Study These Flashcards
A

false - the anterior is stronger

21
Q

why is the ligamentum flavum yellow

Study These Flashcards
A

due to the elastic fibres

22
Q

how many fused vertebrae make up the sacrum and coccyx

Study These Flashcards
A 
sacrum = 5
coccyx = 4
23
Q

which parts of the spine are the lordoses regions

Study These Flashcards
A

cervical and lumbar

24
Q

what is the primary curvature

Study These Flashcards
A

the kyphosis (C-shaped) curvature of the fetal spine

25
what is the secondary curvature
when the lordoses develop
26
when does the cervical lordosis develop
when the child begins to lift its head
27
when does the lumbar lordosis develop
when the child starts to walk
28
what happens to the vertebral column in old age
primary curvature is re-established and there is senile kyphosis
29
what happens to the curvature of the spine in pregnancy
exaggerated lumbar lordosis
30
where do lumbar punctures usually occur
in L4/5 as the spinal cord is finished and the cauda equina started so theres less chance of neurological damage
31
what structures does the needle pass through in a lumbar puncture
skin, supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament, ligamentum flavum, epidural fat, dura matter
32
what is marginal osteophytosis
development of osteophytes on the edges of the joint
33
what are the 4 stages in a slipped disc
1. disc degeneration = discs dehydrate and bulge 2. prolapse = protrusion of nucleus pulposus with slight impingement 3. extrusion = nucleus pulposus breaks through and remains in disc space 4. sequestration = nucleus pulposus breas through and separates from main body
34
where do slipped discs most commonly occur and why
L4/5 as this is where the spine is most compressed
35
why do slipped discs herniate posterolaterally
this is where the posterior ligament finishes so is an area of weakness
36
what is the most common type of disc prolapse
paracentral - which causes impingement of the nerve root below
37
what is sciatica
compression of the nerve roots (L4,L5,S1,S2 and S3) which contribute to the sciatic nerve
38
where would the affects of sciatica be felt if L4 was compressed
medial lower leg
39
where would the affects of sciatica be felt if L5 was compressed
lateral lower leg
40
S1
sole of foot
41
what is cauda equina syndrome
compression of the cauda equina due to complete filling of the spinal canal by the IV disc giving bilateral sciatica, perianal numbness, painless urine retention
42
what is lumbar canal stenosis
narrowing of the spinal canal
43
what 3 things cause lumbar canal stenosis
- bulging of the disc - facet joint osteoarthritis (osteophyte formation) - ligamentum flavum hypertrophy
44
what is claudication
pain in legs when walking either due to narrowing of the blood vessels or nerves
45
what is venous engorgement
when the vein is compressed so the lack f blood flow causes the area of vein beneath the compression to expand so much that is impinges the arteries supplying the nerves causing claudication
46
what is spondyloisthesis
slip forward of the vertebra above
47
what are the 3 main types of spondylolisthesis
- dysplastic = abnormality in the shape of the facet joint - isthmic = stress fracture of the par interarticularis - degenerative = arthritis in the facet joint
48
what does iscthmic spondyloidthesis present with
back pain as the arch is not intact so cant compress the spinal canal
49
what does degenerative spondylolisthesis present with
claudication as the arch is still intact so a stenosis develops

Musculoskeletal System (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions