Vertebral Column

Question 1

nucleus pulposus dehydrate & lose elastin & proteoglycans while gaining collagen; IV disks lose strength but increase in size

Answer 1

natural aging of IV disks/vertebrae

Question 2

narrowing of IV disks indicates?

Answer 2

pathology, not normal aging

Question 3

major cause of lower back & limb pain; 95% L4/5 or L5/S1

Answer 3

herniation of nucleus pulposi

Question 4

acute middle/low back pain caused by mild posterolateral protrusion of lumbar IV at L5-S1 that affects pain receptors on posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 4

lumbago

Question 5

pain in low back & hip caused by herniated lumbar disk compressing L5/S1 of sciatic nerve

Answer 5

sciatica

Question 6

incomplete dislocation of median atlantoaxial joint —> compression of spinal cord between atlas and dens can lead to quadriplegia or medulla (death)

Answer 6

atlantoaxial subluxation

Question 7

30% increase in range of motion of neck

Answer 7

rupture of alar ligament

Question 8

headache and cervo-occipital pain

Answer 8

compression of C2 SN from atlantoaxial rotation

Question 9

stretch or tear of anterior longitudinal ligament due to?

Answer 9

whiplash

Question 10

facet jumping caused by?

Answer 10

hyperflexion

Question 11

hyperextention of head on neck causes?

Answer 11

spondylolysis —> rupture of anterior longitudinal ligament and annulus fibrosus of C2/3

Question 12

forward displacement of vertebrae

Answer 12

spondylolisthesis

Question 13

abnormal increase in thoracic curvature; erosion of anterior part of vertebrae

Answer 13

kyphosis; dowager’s hump

Question 14

increase in lumbar curvature caused by anterior rotation of pelvis; weakened trunk muscles

Answer 14

lordosis; pregnancy & obesity

Question 15

abnormal lateral curvature & rotation of vertebrae; causes: asymmetrical weakness of intrinsic back muscles, failure of 1/2 vertebra to form, difference in length of lower limbs

Answer 15

scoliosis

Question 16

restriction of thorax & lung expansion

Answer 16

kyphoscoliosis

Question 17

extraction of CSF from lumbar cistern to diagnose CNS disorders

Answer 17

lumbar spinal puncture

Question 18

where is anesthesia injected for a spinal block?

Answer 18

subarachnoid space

Question 19

what is the significance of the Artery of Adamkiewicz (great anterior segmental medullary artery)

Answer 19

medullary arteries feed spinal cord. fractures/dislocations/disease of arteries can impair medullary arteries which would lead to muscle weakness & paralysis

Question 20

damage to ligament without causing dislocation or fracture is called?

Answer 20

muscle sprain

Question 21

damage to muscles usually involving lumbar joints especially erector spinae causing low back pain

Answer 21

muscle strain

Question 22

light-headedness & dizziness due to interfering with blood supply to brainstem

Answer 22

prolonged turning of head; arteriosclerosis