The Spinal Column

Question 1

How many spinal nerves are there?

Answer 1

31

Question 2

How many spinal vertebrae are there?

Answer 2

30

Question 3

What are the 5 types (regions) of spinal cord?

Answer 3

• Cervical vertebrae
• Thoracic vertebrae
• Lumbar vertebrae
• Sacral
• Coccygeal

Question 4

At what vertebrae does the spinal cord ‘end’?

Answer 4

L1 and L2

Question 5

At what vertebrae is the cauda equine?

Answer 5

L1 - L5

Question 6

What is a plexus?

Answer 6

An intricate network of nerves that often cross over one another

Question 7

What is the name of the connective tissue that covers the axon (and it’s Schwann cell) of a neuron?

Answer 7

Endoneurium

Question 8

What is the name of the connective tissue that covers a fascicle (a group of nerve axons bundled together)?

Answer 8

Perineurium

Question 9

What is the name of the connective tissue that surrounds a group of fascicles?

Answer 9

Epineurium

Question 10

What are the 3 regions of the brain stem?

Answer 10

• Midbrain
• Pons
• Medulla Oblongata

Question 11

What is a dermatome?

Answer 11

The defined area of skin supplied by a specific spinal nerve / segment

Question 12

What is the myotome?

Answer 12

The muscle or group of muscles supplied by a specific spinal nerve / segment

Question 13

What is the cervical plexus responsible for?

Answer 13

Extends from C1 - C4

• Motor and sensory information to the shoulders, back of the head and neck
• Associated with tongue function and swallowing

Question 14

What is the Brachial Plexus responsible for?

Answer 14

Extends from C5 - T1

- Motor and sensory information to the upper extremities

Question 15

What is the Lumbar and Sacral Plexus responsible for?

Answer 15

Lumbar extends from L1 - L4
Sacral extends L4 - S4
- These plexus’ come together to form the lumbosacral plexus
- Motor and sensory information to the lower trunk, perineum and entire lower extremity.

Question 16

Describe segmental supply

Answer 16

• Only one spinal cord supplies one area
• Responsible for simple movements
• If that segment gets damaged, the muscles that are connected will stop working

Question 17

Describe integrated supply

Answer 17

• When one or more anterior rami merge to form a plexus
• A number of spinal nerves supply an area
• Supplies areas that require coordinated movements

Question 18

What parts of the body does the posterior ramus supply nerves to?

Answer 18

The muscles and skin of the back

Question 19

What parts of the body does the anterior ramus supply nerves to?

Answer 19

The muscles, skin (towards the front of the body) and limbs

Question 20

What is proprioception?

Answer 20

Our ability to use our sense to determine a response from the environment

Question 21

Where are the primary curves in the spinal column and when do they form?

Answer 21

The thoracic and sacral region

They form in the womb

Question 22

Where are the secondary curves and when do they develop?

Answer 22

The cervical and lumbar region

They form when a baby learns to lift it’s head and walk

Question 23

What are the four main components that a typical vertebrae will have?

Answer 23

• A body
• A vertebral arch
• Pedicles
• Laminae

Question 24

What are the four main processes that a typical vertebrae will have?

Answer 24

• Spinous process
• Transverse process
• A superior articular process
• A inferior articular process

Question 25

What are some distinctive features of the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 25

- Has holes on either side of the body to allow arteries to travel through - Has a triangular shaped foramen - Has a bifid spinal process - The body is kidney bean shaped

Question 26

What are some distinctive features of the thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 26

- Has smooth transverse processors to allow the ribs to join - Has smaller, rounder foramen compared to the cervical vertebrae but is larger in over all size - The body is heart shaped

Question 27

What are some distinctive features of the lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 27

- Has a triangular/oval shaped foramen - Has a very large, thick body - Has short, thick and blunt spinous processes

Question 28

What are some distinctive features of the Atlas vertebrae?

Answer 28

- The very first vertebrae - Does not have a body or spinal process - Basically a ring of bone

Question 29

What is a distinctive feature of the Axial vertebrae?

Answer 29

- Has a dense that articulates with the atlas to form a pivot joint known as the atlantoaxial joint

Question 30

What are four purposes of the intervertebral discs?

Answer 30

- Weight bearing - Spacing the vertebrae - Facilitating movement - Preventing excessive rotation

Question 31

What do the intervertebral discs consist of?

Answer 31

- Nucleus pulposus | - Annulus fibrosus

Question 32

What might happen if a nucleus purposes ruptures?

Answer 32

It can cause a compression of nerves

Question 33

Describe the zygopophyseal joints

Answer 33

- Formed between the inferior and superior articulating surfaces of the vertebrae - They are synovial plane joints - The the capsule is considered 'loose' then the joint allows for a greater range of movement

Question 34

Describe the intervertebral joints

Answer 34

- Formed between the intervertebral discs and the vertebral bodies - They are secondary cartilaginous joints - Joined together by the posterior and anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 35

What are the three components of the sternum?

Answer 35

- The manubrium - The body - The xiphoid process

Question 36

What attaches to the xiphoid process of the sternum?

Answer 36

The abdominal muscles

Question 37

How many pairs of ribs are there?

Answer 37

12

Question 38

What is the difference between true and false ribs?

Answer 38

True ribs attached directly to the sternum where as false ribs join together before joining the sternum

Question 39

What are the different types of ribs and how many of each are there?

Answer 39

Ribs 1 - 7 are true ribs Ribs 8 - 12 are false ribs Ribs 11 and 12 are floating ribs

Question 40

Explain Lordosis

Answer 40

When there is an exaggerated curve in the lumbar region (eg when someone is pregnant)

Question 41

Explain Kyphosis

Answer 41

When there is an exaggerated curve in the thoracic region (eg when someone has a hunchback)

Question 42

Explain Scoliosis

Answer 42

When there is an abnormal lateral curve in the spinal column

Question 43

What does a larger intervertebral disc compared to a vertebral body result in?

Answer 43

A greater range of movement

Question 44

Label a diagram of the ligaments of the spinal column

Answer 44

doooo itttt

Question 45

Label a diagram of the rib

Answer 45

just do it

Question 46

What is the significance of the tubercle of the rib?

Answer 46

It forms a point of articulation with the costal facet on the transverse process to create the costovertebral joints

Question 47

What is the name of the joints between the anterior articulations of the ribs and the sternum?

Answer 47

The sternocostal joints