Vertebral column

Question 1

How many vertebrae in each type of column?

Answer 1

C-7
T-12
L-5
S-5 (fused)
Co-4 (fused)

Question 2

What are 4 curvatures of the vertebral column?

Primary or secondary?

Answer 2

• cervical lordosis (2ndary)
• thoracic kyphosis (primary)
• lumbar lordosis (2ndary)
• sacral kyphosis (primary)

Question 3

Main distinguishing characteristics from 3 vertebral regions?

Answer 3

C-has transverse foramina, smallest body
T-has costal facets
L-has largest body

Question 4

What is a cervical rib?

Answer 4

Extra rib articulating w/C7, may need to be removed.

Question 5

What is a lumbar rib?

Answer 5

Extra rib articulating w/L1

Question 6

What is sacralization?

Answer 6

L5 is partially incorporated into the sacrum

Question 7

What is lumbarization?

Answer 7

S1 is partially separated from the rest of the sacrum

Question 8

Characteristics of joints of the vertebral bodies:

Answer 8

INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS

• secondary cartilaginous (fibrous) joints designed for weigh-bearing/strength
• connected by intervertebral discs & ligaments

Question 9

Intervertebral discs consist of:

Answer 9

• annulus fibrosis: composed of outer concentric lamellae of fibrocartilage
• nucleus pulposis: gelatinous central mass/core

Question 10

What are the joints of the vertebral arches called. What type of joint are they?

Answer 10

Zygapophysial joints AKA facet joints

-plane synovial joints (some gliding & sliding, each surrounded by thin joint capsule)

Question 11

Anterior longitudinal ligament (of vertebral column)

Answer 11

Connects anterior vertebral column and IV discs

Question 12

Posterior longitudinal ligament (of vertebral column)

Answer 12

Connects posterior vertebral column and IV discs (it’s w/in the vertebral canal)

Question 13

Ligamentum flavum (of vertebral column)

Answer 13

Connects adjacent vertebral laminae

-flava = “yellow elastic tissue”

Question 14

Interspinus ligament (of vertebral column)

Answer 14

connect vertebral spines

Question 15

Supraspinous ligament (of vertebral column)

Answer 15

connects vertebral spinous tips

Question 16

Intertransverse ligament (of vertebral column)

Answer 16

connects vertebral transverse processes

Question 17

Ligamentum nuchae (of vertebral column)
AKA nuchal ligament

Answer 17

Essentially a continuation of the supraspinous ligament, it’s a strong triangular ligament at the back of the neck

Question 18

The spinal cord ends at a structure called the __________. What vertebral level does it go to in adults/children?

Answer 18

• Conus medullaris

- Adults: L1 or L2; children: L3

Question 19

What are the 3 crevices of the spinal cord?

Answer 19

Posterior median sulcus
Posterolateral sulcus
Anterior median fissure

Question 20

Where is the cervical enlargement? What do they generally innervate?

Answer 20

C5-T1 spinal nerve origins (innervate UEs)

Question 21

Where is the lumbosacral enlargement? What do they generally innervate?

Answer 21

L1-S3 spinal nerve origins (innervate LEs)

Question 22

What aa. supply the spinal cord?

Answer 22

1 anterior spinal a. and 2 posterior spinal aa. (which are branches of the vertebral a.).
As they descend the cord, they receive blood from the radicular aa.

Question 23

Explain venous drainage of the spinal cord.

Answer 23

Longitudinal channels drain into an extensive internal vertebral venous plexus in the epidural space of the vertebral canal.

Question 24

Where is dura mater & arachnoid mater located over the spinal cord?

Answer 24

Foramen magnum –> S2

Question 25

Which layer does CSF circulate?

Answer 25

Subarachnoid space

Question 26

Where does the pia mater transition to the filum terminale? What is filum terminale composed of?

Answer 26

- L1 | - Pia & dura mater (mostly pia)

Question 27

Where does the filum terminale start and end? What are in it?

Answer 27

-Conus medullaris --> coccyx

Question 28

What is a denticulate ligament?

Answer 28

- A toothed ligament formed by pia mater. Extends laterally, pierces arachnoid to be attached to the dura b/w the spinal roots. - May provide stability to the spinal cord

Question 29

Where is an ideal spot for an LP? Where does the spinal cord end in adults?

Answer 29

- L3/L4 | - Ends at L1/L2 in adults

Question 30

Name the layers of the vertebral canal, starting superficially.

Answer 30

1. Epidural space 2. Dura mater 3. Subdural space 4. Arachnoid mater 5. Subarachnoid space w/CSF 6. Pia mater 7. Spinal cord & cauda equina

Question 31

Anterior/ventral nerve roots tend to be ____________ (fcn), while posterior/dorsal nerve roots tend to be ________________(fcn).

Answer 31

- Efferent (Motor) | - Afferent (Sensory)

Question 32

What are spinal nerves?

Answer 32

Where dorsal nerve roots and ventral nerve roots mix; divide into posterior ramus & anterior ramus

Question 33

Dorsal ramus conveys info to:

Answer 33

-Motor and sensory to and from back skin & intrinsic back mm.

Question 34

Ventral ramus conveys info to:

Answer 34

-Motor and sensory to all skin except back; skeletal mm. of the neck, limbs, & trunk