Joints: back

Question 1

classify joint: vertebral bodies

Answer 1

symphysis, secondary cartilaginous

Question 2

articular surfaces: vertebral body joints

Answer 2

• inferior/ superior surfaces of adjacent vertebrae, connected by fibrocartilaginous disc

Question 3

function of vertebral body joints

Answer 3

weight bearing and strength

Question 4

intervertebral discs: function

Answer 4

• strong attachments btw bodies into semi rigid column
• cont to ant wall of vertebral column
• form ant-inferior 1/2 of ant wall of IV foramen

Question 5

where is there no IV disc

Answer 5

btw C1 and C2

Question 6

intervertebral discs: thickness

Answer 6

• relatively thickest in cervical and lumbar

- IV disc are thicker anteriorly in these regions

Question 7

intervertebral discs: consists of

Answer 7

• anulus fibrosus

- nucleus pulposus

Question 8

anulus fibrosus: features

Answer 8

• outer part ring: concentric lamellae of fibrocartilage
• fibres of lamellae at angle 60+˚
• thinner posteriorly
• vascularisation decreases centrally
• sensory inn only in outer 1/3

Question 9

nucleus pulposus: features

Answer 9

• gelatinous central mass
• this semifluid nature contributes to flexibility and resilience of VC
• avascular
• broader when compressed

Question 10

list two main ligaments:

Answer 10

• anterior longitudinal lig

- posterior longitudinal lig

Question 11

ant longitudinal lig: features

Answer 11

• broad strong band
• connects anterolateral aspects of V bodies and IV discs
• ant tubercle of C1 (and occipital bone) -> sacrum (pelvic surface)

Question 12

ant longitudinal lig: function

Answer 12

prevents hyperextension of vertebral column

Question 13

post longitudinal lig: features

Answer 13

• narrower and weaker than ant long lig
• within vertebral canal
• post aspect of V bodies and IV discs
• from C2 -> sacrum

Question 14

post longitudinal lig: function

Answer 14

prevents hyperflexion of VC and helps prevent/ redirect herniation of nucleus pulposus

Question 15

uncovertebral joints (clefts):

Answer 15

• btw uncinate processes of bodies C3/4 - C6/7
• inferolateral surfaces 0f bodies superior to them
• have synovial fluid in them

Question 16

zygapophyseal (facet) joints: classify

Answer 16

• synovial plane

Question 17

zygapophyseal (facet) joints: articular surfaces

Answer 17

• superior/ inferior articular processes

Question 18

zygapophyseal (facet) joints: features

Answer 18

• thin fibrous capsule (esp cervical)

- bear some weight in cervical and lumbar regions

Question 19

list accessory ligaments (5) of intervertebral joints:

Answer 19

• ligamenta flava
• interspinous
• supraspinous
• nuchal
• intertransverse

Question 20

ligamenta flava: features

Answer 20

• joins adjacent vertebral lamina - broad band elastic ct
• part of post wall of V canal
• cervical: long thin broad
• thoracic: thicker
• lumbar: thickest

Question 21

ligamenta flava: function

Answer 21

• preserve normal curvature of VC and assist with straightening of VC after flexing

Question 22

interspinous lig: features

Answer 22

• connect adjoining spinous processes from root to apex

- thin, relatively weak

Question 23

supraspinous lig: features

Answer 23

• connect apices fo spinous processes from C7-sacrum
• merges superiorly w nuchal lig
• strong, cordlike

Question 24

nuchal lig: features

Answer 24

• thickened fibroelastic tissue
• attached to ext occipital protuberance, post border of foramen magnum -> spinous processes of cervical vertebrae
• strong, broad
• muscles attachment C3-C5

Question 25

intertransverse lig: features

Answer 25

- connect adjacemt transverse processes - cervical: scattered fibres - thoracic: fibrous cords - lumbar: thin and membranous

Question 26

list craniovertebral joints:

Answer 26

- atlanto-occipital | - atlantoaxial

Question 27

atlanto-occipital joint: classify

Answer 27

synovial condyloid

Question 28

atlanto-occipital joint: articular surfaces

Answer 28

- superior articular processes of C1 and occipital condyles (occ bone)

Question 29

atlanto-occipital joint: features and movement

Answer 29

- thin, loose capsule | - flexion/ ext "yes"

Question 30

atlantoaxial joints: list joints

Answer 30

- median | - 2 lateral

Question 31

atlantoaxial joints: median type

Answer 31

- synovial pivot

Question 32

atlantoaxial joints: median articular surfaces

Answer 32

- dens of C2, and ant arch of C1

Question 33

atlantoaxial joints: two lateral type

Answer 33

- zyhapophyseal (synovial plane)

Question 34

atlantoaxial joints: movements

Answer 34

- rotation | - "no"

Question 35

= cruciate lig:

Answer 35

transverse + longitudinal bands

Question 36

list other ligs: recap

Answer 36

- ant/post atlanto-occiputal mem - transverse lig of atlas - superior/inf longitudinal bands

Question 37

other ligs:

Answer 37

- alar lig - apical lig - tectorial membrane