Spinal Anatomy

Question 1

Holds dens in fovea dentalis of atlas (the indent on posterior side of anterior tubercle)

Answer 1

Transverse Ligament

Question 2

C0 to body of C2
Cross-Shaped
Includes the transverse ligament as horizontal portion

Answer 2

Cruciate Ligament

Question 3

Limits rotation of C2
Sides of dens to occipital condyles
aka “Check Ligament”

Answer 3

Alar Ligament

Question 4

Limits flexion/extension of C2

Apex of dens to anterior aspect of foramen

Answer 4

Apical Dental Ligament

Question 5

21 ligaments connecting Pia to Dura along with spinal cord (Dural Torque Theory)

Answer 5

Dentate Ligaments

Question 6

Limits Extension.

Front of vertebral bodies from the sacrum to C2

Answer 6

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL)

Question 7

Continuation of the ALL from Atlas to Occiput

Answer 7

Anterior Atlanto-Occipital Ligament

Question 8

Limits Flexion.
Back of vertebral bodies (anterior portion of canal)
Wider in cervicals, thinner in lumbars, thinnest at L5

Answer 8

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL)

Question 9

Continuation of the PLL from C2 to Occiput

Answer 9

Tectorial Membrane

Question 10

Most important of the posterior ligaments in limiting Flexion
Lamina to Lamina (posterior portion of canal)
Has a high elastic content (name means yellow)

Answer 10

Ligamentum Flavum

Question 11

Continuation of the Ligamentum Flavum from C2 to C1

Answer 11

Posterior Atlanto-Axial ligament

Question 12

Continuation of the Ligamentum Flavum from C1 to C0

Answer 12

Posterior Atlanto-Occipital ligament

Question 13

Ligament between the articular processes

Answer 13

Capsular ligament

Question 14

Ligament between the transverse processes (TVP’s)

Answer 14

Intertransverse Ligament

Question 15

Ligament between the spinous processes (SP’s)

Answer 15

Interspinous Ligament

Question 16

Ligament from spinous to spinous

Answer 16

Supraspinous Ligament

Question 17

Continuation of Supraspinous ligament from C7 to occiput

Answer 17

Ligamentum Nuchae

Question 18

Found between the bodies from C2-C3 to the L/S junction

Answer 18

Intervertebral Discs (IVD’s)

Question 19

What are the two basic components of the IVD?

Answer 19

1) A central, gelatinous Nucleus Pulposus

2) Peripheral, fibrocartilaginous Annulus Fibrosis

Question 20

What limits the amount of torsion allowed on the disc, and the amount of rotation of the vertebrae?
Allows the disc to adapt to stress.

Answer 20

Annulus Fibrosis

Question 21

Outer portion of the IVD has a blood supply innervated by the _____.

Answer 21

Sinuvertebral Nerves

Question 22

During the aging process, the water content gradually decreases causing more disc herniations. Where are disc herniations rare due to increased disc thickness?

Answer 22

Thoracic region

Question 23

What are the pressure changes in the disc?

Answer 23

Recumbent < Standing < Sitting < Sitting leaning forward < Jumping

Question 24

What is the weakest part of the disc?

Answer 24

Posterolateral aspect (d/t narrowing of PLL)

Question 25

What causes disc end plate fracture but not herniation?

Answer 25

Compressive load

Question 26

Nutrition to the disc is by way of _____.

Answer 26

Imbibition (motion)

Question 27

Connective Tissue coverings arranged in three distinct layers that connect and protect the spinal cord from excessive movement and damage.

Answer 27

Meninges

Question 28

The most external layer of meninges is the _____, which is thick and tough connective tissue. It is continuous from the cranial cavity to the sacrum. It covers individual nerve roots and nerves as they exit the spinal canal. The sleeves follow the nerves to the IVF and surround a swelling, which represents the location of the Dorsal Root Ganglion.

Answer 28

Dura Matter

Question 29

The layer of meninges that is more delicate and avascular and is attached to the inner surface of the dura. Thin web-like projections extend from here to the pia mater.

Answer 29

Arachnoid mater

Question 30

A single cell connective tissue layer that adheres directly to the surface of the neural tissue, including the individual cranial and spinal rootlets.

Answer 30

Pia mater

Question 31

A series of pial projections, located primarily in the thoracic region, which project from the lateral surface of the spinal cord, penetrate the arachnoid and anchor to the dura. They give the "Dural Torque Theory" of rotational stress or the concept of meningeal torsion.

Answer 31

Dentate ligaments

Question 32

IVF: - Opens in _____ - Decreases in _____

Answer 32

Open in Flexion | Decreases in Extension

Question 33

IVF Boundaries: - Anterior - Superior and Inferior - Posterior

Answer 33

Anterior: Bodies (cervical & uncinates) and IVD Sup/Inf: Pedicles Posterior: Zygopophyseal Joints (Facet Joints)

Question 34

What are the anatomic contents of the IVF?

Answer 34

Spinal nerve, Nerve roots, Recurrent meningeal nerves, Blood vessels, Lymphatics & Connect Tissue

Question 35

What is the order of compression in the IVF?

Answer 35

Adipose Tissue, Veins, Arteries, Nerves

Question 36

What is located inside the IVF and is most sensitive to compression?

Answer 36

Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG)

Question 37

What is located inside the IVF and is most affected by a subluxation?

Answer 37

DRG