Arthrology of the Vertebral Column Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Arthrology of the Vertebral Column Deck (138)
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1
Q

What is the maximum number of common ligaments identified with a vertebral couple?

A

Eight

2
Q

What is the reason that nine common ligaments are identified but only eight will be attached at any specific vertebral couple?

A

The ligamentum nuchae and supraspinous ligaments attach to the spinous tubercles, but only one of these will be identified at a single vertebral couple

3
Q

What is the number of true intervertebral discs identified in the adult?

A

Twenty-three

4
Q

What is the organizational pattern for glycosaminoglycans in the lumbar nucleus pulposus?

A

They typically lack a binding site for hyaluronic acid and are thus non-aggregated

5
Q

What cell is associated with the nucleus pulposus until about age eleven?

A

Notochord cells

6
Q

Which type of collagen is dominant in the nucleus pulposus?

A

Collagen type II

7
Q

What is unusual about the cervical annulus fibrosus?

A

It lacks any lamellar or layered organization

8
Q

What is the appearance of the cervical annulus fibrosus?

A

A horse-shoe with the anterior margin thick and the lateral margins tapering to the uncinate processes; the posterior margin is thin

9
Q

What compensates for the thinness of the posterior part of the cervical annulus fibrosus?

A

Posterior longitudinal ligament

10
Q

What is the organizational pattern for glycosaminoglycans in the lumbar annulus fibrosus?

A

They typically have a binding site for hyaluronic acid and dare thus aggregated

11
Q

What is the consequence of aggregated glycosaminoglycans in the lumbar annulus fibrosus?

A

The annulus fibrosus will retain water under deformation conditions

12
Q

Which type of collagen is dominant in the annulus fibrosus?

A

Collagen type I

13
Q

What is the organizational pattern for collagen fibers in the annulus fibrosus?

A

They are parallel with one another in a single lamellus and angled

14
Q

What is the organization of collagen fibers between lamellae?

A

Collagen fibers will be angled in the opposite direction such that a spiral - counterspiral organization is observed

15
Q

What is the average angle of collagen fibers with the annulus fibrosus?

A

They average 50 to 60 degrees

16
Q

What is the origin for the cells of the annulus fibrosus?

A

Sclerotomites

17
Q

What cell type is associated with the annulus fibrosus?

A

Fibroblast and fibrocyte

18
Q

What is the cartilage end plate derived from?

A

The epiphyseal plate

19
Q

What part of the vertebral body will the cartilage end plate cover?

A

The cancellous bone at the top or bottom of the vertebral body

20
Q

What is the principal type of collagen fiber within the cartilage end plate?

A

The type II collagen fiber

21
Q

What is the direction of collagen fibers within the cartilage end plate?

A

Collagen fibers are aligned anterior to posterior

22
Q

What is the earliest indicator of intervertebral disc pathology or degeneration?

A

Changes in the histology of the cartilage end plate

23
Q

What part of the intervertebral disc is innervated?

A

The outer lamellae of the annulus fibrosus

24
Q

What part of the cervical intervertebral disc is highly innervated?

A

The middle third of the annulus fibrosus

25
Q

What are the types of receptor endings in the intervertebral disc?

A

Nociceptors and proprioceptors

26
Q

What is the relationship between size of the intervertebral disc and receptor endings?

A

The larger the disc, the greater the variety of receptor endings

27
Q

What nerve(s) have been shown to give off the sinus vertebral/sinu-vertebral/recurrent meningeal nerve?

A

The mixed spinal nerve, ventral primary ramus, dorsal primary ramus, gray ramus communicans, and white ramus communicans have all been implicated

28
Q

The recurrent meningeal/sinu-vertebral/sinus vertebral nerve has typically been shown to originate from which source?

A

The gray ramus communicans

29
Q

What part of the intervertebral disc is innervated by the recurrent meningeal/sinu-vertebral/sinus vertebral nerve?

A

The outer lamellae of the annulus fibrosus at the posterior part of the intervertebral disc

30
Q

What forms the anterior neural plexus of the vertebral column?

A

Fibers from teh ventral primary ramus

31
Q

What forms the lateral neural plexus of the vertebral column?

A

Fibers from the ventral primary ramus, fibers from the white ramus communicans, fibers from the paradiscal ramus communicans, fibers from the gray ramus communicans

32
Q

What part of the intervertebral disc is innervated by fibers from the ventral primary ramus?

A

The outer lamellae of the annulus fibrosus at the anterior and lateral part of the intervertebral disc

33
Q

What innervates the annluus fibrosus at the lateral part of the intervertebral disc?

A

Fibers from the ventral primary ramus, fibers from the white ramus communicans, fibers from the paradiscal ramus communicans, fibers from the gray ramus communicans

34
Q

What part of the intervertebral disc is innervated by fibers from the white ramus communicans?

A

The outer lamellae fo teh annulus fibrosus at the lateral part of the intervertebral disc

35
Q

What is the name given to the white ramus communicans which becomes embedded within the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc?

A

The paradiscal ramus communicans

36
Q

How does the intervertebral disc attach to the vertebral body?

A

Sharpey’s fibers from the outer lamellae of the annulus fibrous are firmly embedded into the epiphyseal rims of the adjacent vertebral bodies

37
Q

In what regions of the vertebral column is the space formed between vertebral bodies by the intervertebral disc the greatest?

A

The cervical and lumbar regions

38
Q

Which curve direction will be associated with the greatest space observed between vertebral bodies?

A

The lordotic or anterior curves

39
Q

What part of the thoracic spine is most susceptible to herniation?

A

The segments below T8

40
Q

What is the popular theory of intra-abdominal cavity pressure and intervertebral disc response to weight bearing?

A

Increasing the intra-abdominal cavity pressure will diminish the amount of resistance the intervertebral disc needs to generate by up to 50 %

41
Q

What part of the somite will form the vertebral column?

A

The sclerotome

42
Q

What structure is formed following migration of sclerotomes to surround the notochord?

A

The perichordal blastema

43
Q

What is formed within the perichordal blastema between the sclerotomites?

A

The intrasclerotomal fissure or fissure of von Ebner

44
Q

What does the intrasclerotomal fissure or fissure of on Ebner become?

A

The perichordal disc

45
Q

What structure forms following migration and subsequent mixing of the sclerotomites?

A

The vertebral blastema

46
Q

What is the earliest indicator of the position of the adult intervertebral disc?

A

The intrasclerotomal fissure or fissure of von Ebner

47
Q

What is the function of the anterior longitudinal ligament?

A

It brakes or limits dorsi-flexion or hyperextension of the vertebral column

48
Q

What was ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament in the lumbar region identified as?

A

Forestier’s Disease

49
Q

What is ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament in the lumbar region now identified as?

A

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis or DISH

50
Q

What is the innermost layer of the posterior longitudinal ligament called?

A

The perivertebral ligament

51
Q

What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

A

It brakes or limits flexion of the vertebral column

52
Q

Where is ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament most commonly identified?

A

The cervical spine with an 80% incidence

53
Q

What is the clinical sign of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the cervical spine?

A

A loss of hand and finger dexterity

54
Q

What is the clinical sign of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in the lumbar spine?

A

Faltering gait

55
Q

What is the gender, age, and ethnic bias associated with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

A

It is greater in males over 50 and has a higher incidence in the Japanese

56
Q

What is the acronym for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

A

OPLL

57
Q

At one time ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament was an example of what condition?

A

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis or DISH

58
Q

In which region of the spine will the ligamentum flavum be paired?

A

The lumbar spine

59
Q

What is the name given to the ligamentum flavum based on appearance and histology?

A

It is a yellow elastic ligament

60
Q

What is now thought to be a major function of the ligamentum flavum?

A

It is an early prime factor in extension of the vertebral column

61
Q

Where is ossification of the ligamentum flavum most commonly identified?

A

The thoracic spine or thoracolumbar transition zone

62
Q

What regions of the vertebral column demonstrate the greatest laxity of capsular ligament?

A

The cervical and lumbar regions

63
Q

If the zygapophyseal capsular ligament is not significantly involved in restricting motion what is its’ function?

A

It is probably involved in proprioceptive feedback to the muscle stabilizing the vertebral couple during movement

64
Q

What is now thought to be a major function of the interspinous ligament?

A

It is more likely a proprioceptive transducer for the spinal reflex

65
Q

What are the names given to the superficial and deep layers of the ligamentum nuchae, respectively?

A

Funicular layer and lamellar layer

66
Q

What are the attachment sites for the superficial layer of the ligamentum nuchae?

A

The external occipital protuberance, external occipital crest, and spinous tubercle of C7

67
Q

What is the histological make-up of the human ligamentum nuchae?

A

It is a yellow elastic ligament, but has more collagen fibers than in quadrupeds

68
Q

What is the primary yellow elastic or elastic ligament of the spine?

A

The ligamentum flavum

69
Q

What is the classic function of the human ligamentum nuchae?

A

It brakes or limits flexion of the cervical spine

70
Q

What is the termination level inferiorly for the supraspinous ligament according to current literature?

A

Primarily at L4 (73%); between L4 and L5(5%)

71
Q

Where is the supraspinous ligament said to be best developed?

A

In the lumbar spine

72
Q

What is now thought to be a major function fo the supraspinous ligament?

A

It is a proprioceptive transducer for the spinal reflex

73
Q

What is the status of the cervical intertransverse ligament?

A

It is said to be paired with an anterior and a posterior intertransverse ligament present

74
Q

What part of the intertranverse ligament in the lumbar spine covers the intervertebral foramen?

A

The ventral slip

75
Q

What part of the intertransverse ligament in the lumbar spine divides the body wall into an anterior muscular compartment and a posterior muscular compartment?

A

The dorsal slip

76
Q

What are the attachment sites of the ponticulus posticus?

A

It is attached to the arcuate rim of the posterior arch of C1 and to the superior articular process of the lateral mass of C1

77
Q

What other name may be used to identify a ponticulus posticus?

A

Kimmerle’s anomaly

78
Q

What names are given to the opening formed by the ponticulus posticus?

A

Arcuate foramen or retroarticular canal

79
Q

What amount of flexion-extension is accommodated by the atlanto-occipital joint?

A

About twenty-five degrees

80
Q

What amount of axial rotation is accommodated by the atlanto-occipital joint?

A

About three to eight degrees one side axial rotation

81
Q

What amount of lateral bending is accommodated by the atlanto-occipital joint?

A

About five degrees

82
Q

Which motion is best accommodated by the atlanto-occipital joint?

A

Flexion-extension

83
Q

What histological feature is present on the anterior surface of the transverse atlantal ligament?

A

Fibrocartilage at the surface of the ligament articulating with C2

84
Q

What is the function of the transverse atlantal ligament?

A

It is the primary stabilizer of the atlanto-axial joint restricting the distance of C2 from the anterior arch of C1

85
Q

What is the ADI?

A

The Atlanto-Dental Interspace, a radiographic distance between the surfaces of the anterior bursa of the median atlanto-axial joint

86
Q

What is the ADI of children compared with that of adults?

A

About 4.5mm in children; a range of 2-3mm or about 2.5mm in adults

87
Q

What ligament forms the medial, posterior boundary of the interveretbral foramen at C1/C2?

A

The posterior atlanto-axial ligament

88
Q

What are the degrees of movement facilitated at the atlanto-axial joint?

A

About 20 degrees flexion-extension, 40 degrees one side axial rotation, and 5 degrees of lateral bending

89
Q

The occiput-C1-C2 joint complex accounts for what percent of all cervical axial rotation?

A

About 60%

90
Q

What are the attachment sites for the apical ligament of the dens or apicodental ligament?

A

The anterior margin of the foramen magnum and the tip of the odontoid process of C2

91
Q

What is teh embryonic derivative of the apical ligament of the dents or the apicodental ligament?

A

The notochord

92
Q

What ligament attaches to the posterolateral part of the odontoid process of C2 and to surfaces on the medial border of the occipital condyle or as far anterior as the anterolateral margin of the foramen magnum?

A

The alar ligament

93
Q

What is the function of the alar ligament?

A

Together they function to resist axial rotation

94
Q

What are the attachment sites for the superficial layer of the membrana tectoria or tectorial membrane?

A

The posterior part of the inferior epiphyseal rim and vertebral body of C2 to the capsular ligament of the atlanto-occipital joint and cranial dura of the posterior cranial fossa

95
Q

What lies in front of the deep layer of the membrana tectoria or tectorial membrane?

A

The cruciate ligament

96
Q

For the cervical spine below C2, what is the range of motion allowed for each type of joint motion identified?

A

90 degrees flexion-extension, 50 degrees one side lateral bending and 33 degrees one side axial rotation

97
Q

What are the locations for cotosvertebral joints on the vertebra?

A

The costocentral joint at the vertebral body and the costotransverse joint at the transverse process

98
Q

Costocentral radiate or stellate ligaments will attach the head of the rib to what structures?

A

Both vertebral bodies of the costocentral joint and the intervertebral disc for ribs 1-9

99
Q

An intra-articular ligament will be identified with which ribs?

A

Ribs 2-9

100
Q

Which vertebrae will have a synovial plane (diarthrosis arthrodia) costotransverse joint?

A

Typically T1-T10

101
Q

At what rib will the superior costotransverse ligament be absent?

A

The first rib

102
Q

What ligaments will attach to the neck of the twelfth rib?

A

The superior costotransverse ligament from T11 and the lumbocostal ligament from L1

103
Q

What unique ligament is present at the twelfth rib?

A

The superior costotransverse ligament from T11 and the lumbocostal ligament from L1

104
Q

What unique ligament is present at the twelfth rib?

A

The lumbocostal ligament

105
Q

Which ribs will have an attachment for the inferior costotransverse ligament?

A

Rib 1 to rib 11

106
Q

At what rib will the inferior costotransverse ligament be absent?

A

The twelfth rib

107
Q

What is the name of the space between the transverse process and the neck of the rib?

A

The costotransverse foramen

108
Q

Which ligament “fills” the costotransverse foramen?

A

The inferior costotransverse ligament

109
Q

At what rib will the lateral costotransverse ligament be absent?

A

The twelfth rib

110
Q

Which vertebral couples of the thoracic spine have the greatest motion?

A

T11/T12 and T12/L1

111
Q

Which range of motion is greatest for lower thoracic vertebral couples?

A

Flexion-extension

112
Q

Which range of motion is least for lower thoracic vertebral couples?

A

One side axial rotation

113
Q

Based on current literature, what common ligaments are absent at the lumbosacral joint?

A

Ligamentum nuchae, interspinous ligament, and supraspinous ligament

114
Q

Which ligaments replace the intertransverse ligament at the lumbosacral ligament?

A

The iliolumbar ligament and lumbosacral ligament

115
Q

What are the attachment sites for the lumbosacral ligament?

A

The sacral ala and ventrolateral surface of sacrum attach to the transverse process of L5

116
Q

What muscle is intimately attached to the superior iliolumbar ligament?

A

Quadratus lumborum

117
Q

Which of the current ligaments from the iliolumbar ligament complex represents the iliolumbar ligament of classical descriptions?

A

The superior iliolumbar ligament

118
Q

Which ligament from the iliolumbar ligament complex represents the lumbosacral ligament of classical descriptions?

A

The inferior iliolumbar ligament

119
Q

Which vertebral couple of the lumbar spine has the greatest range of motion?

A

L5/S1

120
Q

Which range of motion is greatest for all lumbar vertebral couples?

A

Flexion-extension

121
Q

Which range of motion is least for L1-L5 vertebral couples?

A

One side axial rotation

122
Q

Which range of motion is least for the L5/S1 vertebral couple?

A

One side lateral bending

123
Q

What ligament represents the continuation of the anterior longitudinal ligament at the sacrococcygeal joint?

A

The anterior sacrococcygeal ligament

124
Q

What ligament represent the continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament at the sacrococcygeal joint?

A

The deep posterior sacrococcygeal ligament

125
Q

What ligament represents the homolog of the ligamentum flavum at the sacrococcygeal joint?

A

The superficial posterior sacrococcygeal liagment

126
Q

What is the homolog of the intertransverse ligament at the sacrococcygeal joint?

A

The lateral sacrococcygeal ligament

127
Q

What is the auricular surface of sacrum composed of?

A

True articular cartilage, a modification of hyaline cartilage

128
Q

What is the auricular surface of the ilium composed of?

A

Articular cartilage, interspersed with fibrocartilage

129
Q

Which gender is biased with greater unevenness of the auricular surface of the sacro-iliac joint?

A

Males

130
Q

What forms the accessory sacro-iliac joint?

A

The sacral tuberosity and the iliac sulcus

131
Q

What does ankylosis mean?

A

A condition of fibrous adhesion occurs within the joint

132
Q

What is the age and gender bias associated with ankylosis of the sacro-iliac joint?

A

Age 50 and male bias particularly in African American males

133
Q

What is the age and gender bias associated with ossification of the anterior sacro-iliac ligament?

A

Age 40 and male bias

134
Q

Which is the strongest of the sacro-iliac ligament?

A

The interosseous sacro-iliac ligament

135
Q

What passes between the layers of the interosseous sacro-iliac ligament?

A

Dorsal rami from the sacral spinal nerves

136
Q

What is formed by the continuation of the sacrotuberous ligament along the ischial ramus?

A

The falciform process

137
Q

What separates the greater sciatic and lesser sciatic foramina?

A

The sacrospionous ligament

138
Q

What is the function of the sacro-ischial ligaments?

A

They oppose the upward tilt of the sacral apex and resist the rotation of sacrum between the innominate bones

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