General Organization of a Vertebra

Question 1

What are the three basic osseous parts of a vertebra?

Answer 1

The vertebral body, vertebral arch, and the apophyseal regions

Question 2

What is the general shape of the vertebral body at each region of the spine?

Answer 2

Cervical- Rectangular
Thoracic- Triangular
Lumbar- Reniform

Question 3

What is the name given to the compact bone at the superior and inferior surfaces of the vertebral body?

Answer 3

Superior epiphyseal rim, inferior epiphyseal rim

Question 4

What is the name given to the cartilage found at the superior and inferior surface of a developing vertebral body?

Answer 4

Superior epiphyseal plate, inferior epiphyseal plate

Question 5

What are the names given to the openings found around the margins of the vertebral body?

Answer 5

Nutrient foramina or vascular foramina

Question 6

What large opening is usually observed at the back of the vertebral body?

Answer 6

Basivertebral Venous Foramen

Question 7

What is the name of the feature located at the upper and lower surfaces of the pedicle?

Answer 7

The superior vertebral notch or superior vertebral incisure

The inferior vertebral notch or inferior vertebral incisure

Question 8

What is the name given to the anterior part of the vertebral arch?

Answer 8

The pedicle

Question 9

All lamina are oriented in what direction?

Answer 9

Posterior and median

Question 10

What is the given to the overlap of laminae seen on an X-ray?

Answer 10

Shingling

Question 11

What ligament will attach to the lamina?

Answer 11

The ligamentum Flavum

Question 12

What is the name given to abnormal bone at the attachment site of the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 12

Para articular process

Question 13

The classification of bone will para-articular processes represent?

Answer 13

Accessory bone

Question 14

What is the name given to the lamina - pedicle junction at each region of the spine?

Answer 14

Cervical - articular pillar; thoracic and lumbar - pars interartiularis

Question 15

What is the name given to the junction of the vertebral arch - spinous process on a lateral x-ray?

Answer 15

The spinolaminar junction

Question 16

What is the name given to the tubular bone growth regions of the vertebral arch?

Answer 16

The apophyseal regions

Question 17

What names may be given to each apophysis of the spine?

Answer 17

The transverse apophysis or transverse processes, articular apophysis or articular process; spinous apophysis or spinous process

Question 18

What is the generic orientation of the transverse process or transverse apophysis at each region of the spine?

Answer 18

Cervical- anterolateral
Thoracic- posterolateral
Lumbar- lateral

Question 19

All non-rib-bearing vertebra of the spine retain what equivalent feature?

Answer 19

The costal element

Question 20

What will cause the transverse process/transverse apophysis to alter its initial direction in the cervical region?

Answer 20

Cervical spinal nerves are pulled forward and downward to form the cervical and brachial nerve plexus thus remodeling the transverse process to accommodate their new position

Question 21

What will cause the transverse process/transverse apophysis to alter its initial direction in the thoracic region?

Answer 21

The growth of the lungs remodel the shape of the ribs which in turn push the transverse processes backward

Question 22

What is the name given to the joint formed between articular facets of a vertebral couple?

Answer 22

The zygapophysis

Question 23

What is the name given to the bone surface at the front of a zygapophysis?

Answer 23

The superior articular facet

Question 24

What is the name given to the bone surface at the back of a zygapophysis?

Answer 24

The inferior articular facet

Question 25

In the vertebral column, the part of the vertebra which lies anterior to to the zygapophysis is called the ___?

Answer 25

pre-zygapophysis

Question 26

In the vertebral column, the part of the vertebra which lies posterior to the zygapophysis is called the ____?

Answer 26

Post-zygapophysis

Question 27

What is the name given to the part of the vertebra forming the pre-zygapophysis?

Answer 27

The superior articular process or superior articular apophysis

Question 28

What is the name given to the part of the vertebra forming the post-zygapophysis?

Answer 28

The inferior articular process or inferior articular apophysis

Question 29

What will form the posterior boundary of a typical intervertebral foramen?

Answer 29

The inferior articular process/post-zygapophysis, the superior articular process/pre-zygapophysis, the capsular ligament and the ligamentum flavum

Question 30

What will form the anterior boundary of the typical intervertebral foramen?

Answer 30

The vertebral body of the segment above, the vertebral body of the segment below, the intervertebral disc, and the posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 31

What is the method of calculating the angle of the spinous process/spinous apophysis?

Answer 31

Calculate the angle formed between the undersurface of the spinous process/spinous apophysis and horizontal plane

Question 32

What is the name given to the normal overlap of spinous process or spinous apophyses as seen on x-ray?

Answer 32

Imbrication

Question 33

What is the name given to the rounded elevation at the tip of the spinous process/spinous apophysis?

Answer 33

The spinous tubercle

Question 34

What is the orientation of the spinous process/ spinous apophysis at each region of the spine?

Answer 34

Cervical- Slightly inferiorly Thoracic- Noticeable angle inferiorly Lumbar- no inferior angle

Question 35

What is the typical shape/outline of the vertebral foramen at each region of the spinal column/vertebral column?

Answer 35

Cervical- Triangular Thoracic- Oval Lumbar- Triangular Sacral- Triangular

Question 36

At what vertebral level will the spinal cord typically terminate?

Answer 36

L1

Question 37

At what vertebral level will the dural sac typically terminate?

Answer 37

S2

Question 38

Which segmental arteries will arise from the internal iliac artery?

Answer 38

the iliolumbar and lateral sacral arteries

Question 39

Identify all segmental arteries

Answer 39

Vertebral, ascending cervical, deep cervical, superior (highest) intercostal, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar, iliolumbar, lateral sacral and median (middle) sacral

Question 40

What are the segmental arteries of the cervical spine?

Answer 40

The vertebral artery, ascending cervical artery and deep cervical artery

Question 41

What are the segmental arteries of the thoracic spine?

Answer 41

The deep cervical artery, superior (highest) intercostal artery, posterior intercostal artery and subcostal artery

Question 42

What are the segmental arteries of the lumbar spine?

Answer 42

The lumbar arteries, iliolumbar artery, lateral sacral artery, and median (middle) sacral artery

Question 43

What are the segmental arteries of the fifth lumbar vertebra?

Answer 43

The iliolumbar artery, lateral sacral artery, and median (middle) sacral artery

Question 44

What are the segmental arteries of the sacrum?

Answer 44

iliolumbar artery, Lateral sacral artery and median (middle) sacral artery

Question 45

What segmental levels are supplied by the vertebral artery?

Answer 45

C1-C6

Question 46

What segmental levels are supplied by the ascending cervical artery?

Answer 46

C1-C6

Question 47

What segmental levels are supplied by the deep cervical artery?

Answer 47

C7-T1

Question 48

What segmental levels are supplied by the superior (highest) intercostal artery?

Answer 48

T1, T2

Question 49

What segmental levels are supplied by the posterior intercostal artery?

Answer 49

T3-T11

Question 50

What segmental level(s) is/are supplied by the subcostal artery?

Answer 50

T12

Question 51

What segmental levels are supplied by the lumbar arteries?

Answer 51

L1-L4

Question 52

What segmental levels are supplied by the median (middle) sacral artery?

Answer 52

L5, S1-S5, Coccyx

Question 53

What segmental levels are supplied by the iliolumbar artery?

Answer 53

L5, S1-S5, Coccyx

Question 54

What segmental level(s) is/are supplied by the lateral sacral artery?

Answer 54

L5, S1-S5, Coccyx

Question 55

What vertebra has the highest number of segmental arteries associated with it?

Answer 55

L5

Question 56

What segmental arteries for L5?

Answer 56

Iliolumbar artery, Median (Middle) sacral artery, and lateral sacral artery

Question 57

What branch of the segmental artery supplies the vertebra and the paravertebral region?

Answer 57

Dorsospinal artery

Question 58

Which artery is primarily observed in the distal part of the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 58

Spinal artery

Question 59

What are the branches of the spinal artery?

Answer 59

Osseous artery, anterior spinal canal artery, posterior spinal canal artery, anterior medullary feeder artery, posterior medullary feeder artery, anterior radicular artery, posterior radicular artery

Question 60

Which branches of the spinal artery supply the contents of the epidural space?

Answer 60

Osseous arteries, anterior spinal canal artery, posterior spinal canal artery

Question 61

What arteries are observed in the epidural space near the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 61

Anterior spinal canal artery & plexus

Question 62

What arteries are observe in the epidural space near the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 62

Posterior spinal canal artery & plexus

Question 63

Which branches of the spinal artery supply the contents of the subarachnoid space?

Answer 63

Anterior radicular artery, posterior radicular artery, anterior medullary feeder artery, posterior medullary feeder artery

Question 64

Which vessel will supply the ventral/anterior nerve rootlets and nerve root?

Answer 64

Anterior radicular artery

Question 65

Which vessel will supply the dorsal/posterior nerve rootlets, nerve root, and nerve root ganglion?

Answer 65

Posterior radicular artery

Question 66

Which artery is now said to enlarge and form the medullary feeder artery?

Answer 66

The radicular artery

Question 67

What is the location and number of medullary feeder arteries present in the adult?

Answer 67

9 anterior and 12 posterior medullary feeder arteries

Question 68

The anterior spinal artery is a branch from which artery?

Answer 68

The vertebral artery

Question 69

Is the anterior spinal artery a single, continuous artery along the spinal cord?

Answer 69

NO

Question 70

As the anterior spinal artery continues along the spinal cord, which arteries unite along its length to give the appearance of a single continuous vessel?

Answer 70

Anterior medullary feeder arteries

Question 71

The posterior spinal artery is a branch of which artery?

Answer 71

The posterior inferior cerebellar artery

Question 72

What is the position of the posterior spinal artery relative to the spinal cord?

Answer 72

It lies in the posterolateral sulcus along the spinal cord

Question 73

As the posterior spinal artery continues along the spinal cord, which arteries unite along its length to give the appearance of a single continuous vessel?

Answer 73

Posterior medullary feeder arteries

Question 74

What forms the arterial vasa corona above C3?

Answer 74

Right and left spinal arteries, right and left posterior spinal arteries, and 4 communicating arteries

Question 75

What forms the arterial vasa corona below C6?

Answer 75

A median anterior spinal artery, right and left posterior spinal arteries, and 3 communicating arteries

Question 76

What is the generic name given to the arteries that penetrate the spinal cord?

Answer 76

Intramedullary arteries

Question 77

What are the intramedullary branches of the arterial vasa corona?

Answer 77

Pial perforating arteries and central/ventral/sulcal perforating arteries

Question 78

what artery gives off the ventral/sulcal/central perforating arteries?

Answer 78

The anterior spinal artery

Question 79

What arteries are responsible for supplementing the arterial vasa corona along the cord

Answer 79

Anterior medullary feeders and posterior medullary feeders

Question 80

What vessels drain the spinal cord?

Answer 80

Pial veins

Question 81

What will pial veins drain into?

Answer 81

Venous Vasa Corona

Question 82

Which vessels form the venous vasa corona?

Answer 82

Right and left anterior longitudinal veins, right and left posterior longitudinal veins, and 4 communicating veins

Question 83

Which vessels will drain the venous vasa corona?

Answer 83

Anterior medullary veins, posterior medullary veins

Question 84

Which vessels will drain the ventral/anterior nerve roots?

Answer 84

Anterior radicular veins

Question 85

What vessels will drain the dorsal/posterior nerve root ganglion?

Answer 85

Posterior radicular veins

Question 86

What veins will lie in the subarachnoid space?

Answer 86

Pial veins, venous vasa corona, anterior longitudinal veins, posterior longitudinal veins, communicating veins, anterior medullary veins, posterior medullary veins, anterior radicular veins, posterior radicular veins

Question 87

What veins are observed in the epidural space near the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 87

anterior internal vertebral venous plexus, basivertebral vein

Question 88

What venous vessels are identified in the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 88

intervertebral veins

Question 89

What veins are observed in the epidural space near the ligamentum flavum

Answer 89

Posterior internal vertebral venous plexus

Question 90

Identify the meninges of the spinal cord (spinal medulla or medulla spinalis) and the commonly accepted meaning of each.

Answer 90

Dura mater- tough mother Arachnoid mater- spider mother Pia mater- tender or delicate mother

Question 91

What is the name given to the fluid within the epidural space?

Answer 91

Interstitial fluid

Question 92

What are the vascular contents of the epidural space?

Answer 92

Anterior and posterior spinal canal artery & plexus anterior and posterior internal vertebral venous plexus basivertebral vein

Question 93

What are the neural contents of the epidural space?

Answer 93

Recurrent meningeal/sinu-vertebral/sinus vertebral nerve

Question 94

What ligaments are associated with the epidural space?

Answer 94

Hofmann/anterior dural/ meningovertebral ligaments Ligamentum flavum Posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 95

Which of the blood vessels of the epidural space will be found near the vertebral body?

Answer 95

Anterior spinal canal artery & plexus Anterior internal vertebral venous plexus Basivertebral vein

Question 96

Which of the nerves of the epidural space will be found near the vertebral body?

Answer 96

recurrent meningeal/sinu-vertebral, sinus vertebral nerve

Question 97

Which of the ligaments of the epidural space will be found near the vertebral body?

Answer 97

Posterior longitudinal ligament and Hofmann/anterior dural/meningovertebral ligaments

Question 98

Which of the blood vessels of the epidural space will be found near the lamina?

Answer 98

Posterior spinal canal artery & plexus | Posterior internal vertebral venous plexus

Question 99

Which of the nerves of the epidural space will be found near the lamina?

Answer 99

Recurrent meningeal/sinu-vertebral, sinus vertebral nerve

Question 100

Which of the ligaments of the epidural space will be found near the lamina?

Answer 100

Ligamentum flavum and Hofmann/anterior dural/meningovertebral ligaments

Question 101

Which meningeal space is now thought to be a potential space, not an actual space?

Answer 101

Subdural space - between the dura mater and arachnoid mater

Question 102

Which of the contents of the epidural space are more likely located near or around the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 102

Anterior spinal canal artery & plexus Anterior internal vertebral venous plexus Basivertebral vein Recurrent meningeal/sinu-vertebral/sinus vertebral nerve Hofmann/anterior dural/meningovertebral ligaments

Question 103

Which of the contents of the epidural space will be found near the lamina?

Answer 103

Posterior spinal canal artery & plexus Posterior internal vertebral venous plexus Ligamentum flavum recurrent meningeal/sinu-vertebral/sinus vertebral nerve Hofmann/anterior dural/meningovertebral ligaments

Question 104

What is the name given to the fluid present within the subdural space?

Answer 104

Serous fluid

Question 105

What is the name given to the fluid with the subarachnoid space?

Answer 105

Cerebrospinal fuid

Question 106

What ligaments may be present in the subarachnoid space?

Answer 106

Dentate/denticulate ligaments

Question 107

What is the name given to the lateral extension of pia mater on the spinal cord?

Answer 107

Dentate (denticulate) ligament

Question 108

What is the unique feature of veins along the spinal canal?

Answer 108

They lack the bicuspid valve of typical veins