Vertebral Column

Question 0

Describe a typical cervical vertebra

Answer 0

• Large body in comparison
• Short horizontal spinous process
• Bifid spinous particularly in white males, not African females
• Transervse foramin to house vertebral artery
• uncinate processes (first sign of ageing)

Question 1

Describe main anatomical features of a typical vertebra

Answer 1

7 processes: 1 spinous, 2 transverse, 4 articular processes
Two lamina connect to make spinous
Pedicles between body and transverse body
Vertebral foramin

Question 2

What are unique features of c1/ atlas

Answer 2

• anterior and posterior tubercule, no spinous
• No vertebral body
• pair of lateral masses to hold weight
• Atlanto occipital join superiorly
• posterior and anterior arch

Question 3

What are the unique features of c2/axis

Answer 3

Small tp
Large bindis spinous process
Dens

Question 4

Describe the course of the vertebral artery

Answer 4

Moves anteriorly and medically superior till c2 then laterally, because tp is greater from c1 posteriorly to foramin magnums

Question 5

Unique features of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 5

Costal facets for ribs
Vertebral foramin circular and smaller
Tp long and strong, extend postereolatetally
Articular process: superior facets directed posteriorly and laterally
Spinous process: long and slope posteriorly

Question 6

What are unique features of lumbar vertebra

Answer 6

Body is massive
Tp had accessory process on posterior surface of base of each process
Articular process: superior facet: medial
Inferior facet: lateral
Mammillary process on posterior surface if each side

Question 7

When does the spinal cord end

Answer 7

L1

Question 8

What is the most highly mobile vertebrae level

Answer 8

L4/5

Question 9

What are the joints of the sacrum and coccyx

Answer 9

Superior: synovial
Inferior: fibrocartilagenous joint

Question 10

What is the function and where is the anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 10

Vertebral bodies and ivd
Prevents hyper extension
Only ligament that prevents extension

Question 11

What does the posterior longitudinal ligament do

Answer 11

Prevents hyper flexion of the spine

Attached to Iv disc and less to vertebral bodies

Question 12

What does the supra spinous ligament do and where does it attach

Answer 12

Connect spinous tips c7 to sacrum

Limits flexion

Question 13

What does the ligamentum nuchae do and where does it attach

Answer 13

Connect spinous tips of cervical vertebrae to external occipital protuberance
Continuation of supra spinous
Limits flexion

Question 14

What does the ligamentum flava connect

Answer 14

Adjacent laminae of vertebrae

Limits flexion and more elastic

Question 15

What does the inter spinous ligament do

Answer 15

Limits hyper flexion

Question 16

What does the sacroiliac ligament do and where is it

Answer 16

Posterior joint for l2,3,4

Anterior Innervatioj from l3,4,5

Question 17

Where is the transverse ligament of atlas and what does it do

Answer 17

Holds dens in place
Allows rotation
Can cause rheumatoid arthritis

Question 18

Where is alar ligament and what does it do

Answer 18

Attaches dens to occipital joint

Limits rotation at Atlanto axial joint

Question 19

What is the tectorial membrane

Answer 19

Continuation of posterior longitudinal ligament from c2 through foramin magnum to floor of cranium

Question 20

What innervates the sub occipital muscles

Answer 20

Sub occipital nerve (dorsal ramus of c1)

Question 21

What is a condition the posterior scalene creates

Answer 21

Myocardial outlet syndrome