NEURO 1 - Spine

Question 1

Typical parts of vertebrae

Answer 1

• vertebral body
• pedicle
• lamina
• superior articular process
• inferior articular process
• spinous process
• transverse processes

Question 2

Which projections of the vertebra allow them to fit with adjacent vertebra?

Answer 2

superior and inferior articular processes

Question 3

What is the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 3

where spinal nerves exit the spinal canal

Question 4

How many curves of the vertebra are there?

Answer 4

4

• cervical
• thoracic
• lumbar
• sacral

Question 5

How many vertebra are there?

Answer 5

• 7 cervical
• 12 thoracic
• 5 lumbar
• 5 sacral (fused)
• 4 coccygeal

Question 6

Features of cervical vertebra

Answer 6

• small body
• bifid spinous process
• triangular vertebral foramen
• 2 transverse foramen
• small transverse processes

Question 7

What is special about the C7 vertebra?

Answer 7

• longest spinous process
• NOT BIFID
• transverse process only transmits VERTEBRAL VEIN

Question 8

Purpose and location of transverse foramen

Answer 8

• found in transverse processes of cervical vertebra

- transmits vertebral artery and veins

Question 9

Features of thoracic vertebra

Answer 9

• heart shape body
• long, thick spinous process
• INFERIOR PROJECTION of spinous process
• circular vertebral foramen
• costal/articular facets for ribs

Question 10

What is significant about T11 and T12

Answer 10

FLOATING RIBS - they dont have articular/costal facets

Question 11

Features of lumbar vertebra

Answer 11

• kidney shape body
• short, blunt spinous process
• triangular vertebral foramen
• slender transverse process

Question 12

Classify the bodies of the vertebra, largest to smallest

Answer 12

• lumbar
• thoracic
• cervical

Question 13

Which cervical vertebra are atypical?

Answer 13

1, 2 and 7

Question 14

What are the atlas and axis?

Answer 14

ATLAS: C1
AXIS: C2

Question 15

Features of the atlas

Answer 15

• no body
• no spinous process
• supports globe of the head

Question 16

Features of the axis

Answer 16

• ODONTOID PEG/DENS
• no body
• bifid spinous process

Question 17

Components of intervertebral discs

Answer 17

• nucleus pulposus - gellike

- annulus fibrosus - concentric layers of collagen

Question 18

Functions of the intervertebral discs

Answer 18

• shock absorbers
• act as ligaments holding vertebra together
• allow slight mobility

Question 19

Interspinous ligament

Answer 19

connects adjoining spinous processes of vertebra

Question 20

Supraspinous ligament

Answer 20

• most posterior

- connects tip of spinous processes

Question 21

Ligamentum flavum

Answer 21

connect lamina of adjacent vertebrae

Question 22

Name the structures the needle passes through to administer an epidural

Answer 22

• skin
• superficial and deep fascia
• supraspinous ligament
• interspinous ligament
• ligamentum flavum
• EPIDURAL SPACE

Question 23

What are the anterior and posterior longditudinal ligaments?

Answer 23

continuous bands down the anterior and posterior surfaces of the vertebral column

Question 24

Where is the epidural space?

Answer 24

space between the vertebra and dura mater of the spinal cord

Question 25

What does the epidural space contain?

Answer 25

• small arteries supplying the spinal cord

- vertebral venous plexuses with no valves

Question 26

What is the vertebral canal?

Answer 26

the space where the spinal cord passes through

Question 27

What is the cauda equina?

Answer 27

leash like nerves hanging descending below the termination of the spinal cord

• LUMBAR AND SACRAL NERVES

Question 28

What is the filum terminale?

Answer 28

prolongation of pia mater - descends and attaches to the back of the coccyx

Question 29

What does the denticulate ligament do?

Answer 29

attaches pia mater to arachnoid and dura mater

• suspends the spinal cord
• stops it from floating around