The Back, Vertebral Column & Spinal Cord Flashcards Preview

Neurology > The Back, Vertebral Column & Spinal Cord > Flashcards

Flashcards in The Back, Vertebral Column & Spinal Cord Deck (43)
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1
Q

What are the functions of the back?

A

Maintenance of posture

Movement of limbs and trunk

2
Q
A
3
Q

What are the three parts of the trapezius muscle?

A

Descending (superior)

Transverse (middle)

Ascending (inferior)

4
Q

List the extrinsic back muscles

A

Levator scapulae

Rhomboids

Trapezius

Latissimus dorsi

5
Q

List the intrinsic back muscles

A

Erector spinae (superficial)

Transversospinalis (deep)

6
Q

Where do the erector spinae muscles attach to inferiorly?

A

Common tendon attaches to the sacrum and iliac crest

7
Q

Where do the erector spinae muscles attach superiorly?

A

rib (between angles and tubercles)

transverse process of a vertebra

spinous process of a vertebra

8
Q

Where is the transversospinalis located?

A

Between the transverse and spinous processes

9
Q

Where do individual muscle fibres of the transversospinalis attach between?

A

a vertebrae and the skull

a vertebrae and a rib

one vertebra and another vertebra

the sacrum and a vertebra

10
Q

Describe the nerve supply of the intrinsic back muscles

A

Segmental nerve supply as per the dermatome/myotome pattern

11
Q
A
12
Q

The adult vertebral colum has __ vertebrae in total;

  • _ cervical (__-__)
  • __ thoracic (__-___)
  • _ lumbar (__-__)
  • _ sacral (_____ to form _ sacrum)
  • _ coccygeal (_____ to form _ coccyx)
A

The adult vertebral colum has 33 vertebrae in total;

  • 7 cervical (C1-C7)
  • 12 thoracic (T1-T12)
  • 5 lumbar (L1-L5)
  • 5 sacral (Fused to form 1 sacrum)
  • 4 coccygeal (fused to form 1 coccyx)
13
Q

What is the function of the adult vertebral column?

A

Support head and trunk when upright

Protect the spinal cord (& spinal nerves)

Allow movements of the head on the neck & movements of the trunk

14
Q

What are the primary curvatures of the spine?

A

Thoracic Kyphosis

Sacral kyphosis

15
Q

What are the secondary curvatures of the spine?

A

Cervical lordosis

Lumbar lordosis

16
Q
A
17
Q

describe intervertebral foramen

A

form between adjacent vertebrae

spinal nerves found here

18
Q

Describe facet joints

A

Between articular processes of adjacent vertebrae

Can be affected by arthritis

19
Q

Describe intervertebral discs

A

Between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae

Strong attachment

Can herniate

20
Q

Which part of the spinal column lacks intervertebral discs?

A

None between C1-C2 and the fused sacrum/coccyx

21
Q

What is the structure of an intervertebral discs?

A

Outer fibrous ring- annulus fibrosus

Inner soft pulp- nucleus pulposus

22
Q

What are the ligaments of the spinal column?

A

Ligamentum flavum

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Supraspinous ligament

Interspinous ligament

23
Q

What is the role of the ligamentum flavum?

A

Connect adjacent laminae posterior to spinal cord

24
Q

What is the role of the posterior longitudinal ligament

A

to prevent overflexion of the spine

25
Q

What is the role of the anterior longitudinal ligament

A

Prevents over-extension of the spine

26
Q

What is the role of the supraspinous ligament?

A

To connect tips of spinous processes

27
Q

What is the role of the interspinous ligament?

A

Connect superior and inferior surfaces of adjacent spinous processes

28
Q

What are the common typical features of a cervical vertebrae?

A

Transverse foramen

Bifid spinous process

Triangular shaped vertebral foramen

29
Q

What is unique to the atlas?

A

Does not have a body or a spinous process

It has a posterior arch and anterior arch

30
Q

What is unique to the axis?

A

Ondontoid process

Projects superiorly from body

31
Q

What is unique to C7 vertebrae?

A

It is the first palpable spinous process in 70% of people

32
Q

What type of joints are the atlanto-occipital joints?

A

Synovial joints with loose capsule

33
Q

What are the movements of the atlanto-occipital joints?

A

Flexion and extension of the neck

A little lateral flexoin and rotation

34
Q

What kind of joints are the atlanto-axial joints?

A

3 articulations, all synovial

35
Q

What are the articulations of the atlanto-axial joints?

A

2 between the inferior articular facets of the atlas and the superior articular facets of the axis

1 Between the anterior arch of the atlas and the ondontoid process of the axis

36
Q

What are the 4 stages of cervical vertebrae dislocation?

A

Stage I- flexion sprain

Stage II- anterior subluxation, 25% translation

Stage III- 50% translation

Stage IV- complete dislocation

37
Q
A
38
Q

In ____ anaesthesia local anesthetic is injected into the sacral ______ to anaesthetise the ____ ____ _____ ____ of the ____ ______

A

In caudal anaesthesia local anesthetic is injected into the sacral hiatus to anaesthetise the sacral spinal nerve roots of the cauda equina

39
Q

Where does the spinal cord begin and end?

A

Begins at foramen magnum, ends at vertebral level L1/L2

40
Q

What is the cauda equina?

A

All the spinal nerve roots from L2 to CO that have to descend to their numbered vertebrae where their spinal nerve is located within the intervertebral foramen

41
Q

What surrounds the spinal cord?

A

3 layers of meninges

epidural fat

42
Q

What is a laminectomy used for?

A
  • To access the spinal canal, posterior exposure of the spinal cord and/or spinal roots
  • relieve pressure on spinal cord or nerve roots
43
Q

What can cause pressure on spinal cord or nerve roots?

A

Tumour, herniated disc, bone hypertrophy