Vertebral Column

Question 1

How many vertebrae?

Answer 1

C7
T12
L5
S5
3-4 Coccyx

Question 1

What is the curve in the cervical region of the spine?

Answer 1

Cervical lordosis

Anterior convex

Question 2

What is the curve in the thoricic region of the spine?

Answer 2

Thoracic kyphosis

Anterior concave

Question 3

What is the curve in the lumbar region of the spine?

Answer 3

Lumbar lordosis

Anterior convex

Question 4

What is the curve in the sacral region of the spine?

Answer 4

Sacral kyphosis

Anterior concave

Question 5

What are the movement of the spine

Answer 5

Sagittal plane (Flexion/Extension)
Frontal Plane (Lateral flexion/Extension)
Transverse Plane (Axial rotation)

Question 6

What are some abnormal spine curvature?

Answer 6

Excessive kyphosis
Excessive lordosis
Scoliosis

Question 7

What is the shape of the spine of a baby in utero and newborn?

Answer 7

C shape

Primary Curve: Kyphosis

Question 8

What is the secondary curve for babies?

Answer 8

Cervical lordosis

Appears in first couple months of life due to the baby moving head to look around.

Question 9

What is the other secondary curve for babies?

Answer 9

Lumbar lordosis to assist with walking

1 year to 18 months

Question 10

What does a typical vertebrae contain?

Answer 10

1) Spinous process
2) Lamina
3) Transverse Process
4) Pedicle
5) Arch
6) Vertebral body (weight bearing portion)
7) Superior and inferior articular facets
8) Vertebral canal (foramen)

Question 11

What do intervertebral discs have?

Answer 11

Nucleus pulposus ( Gell like material for shock absorbtion)
Anulus fibrosus (round rings of woven fibers)

Question 12

What is the articulation between the inferior and superior articular facet of two different vertebrae?

Answer 12

Facet joints
(Zygapophysial joint)

Question 13

What are the motions of the cervial vertebrae in regards to the orientation of their facets?

Answer 13

Transverse plane and frontal plane

Moderate movement in most directions

Question 14

What are the motions of the thoracic vertebrae in regards to the orientation of their facets?

Answer 14

Frontal plane

Lateral flexion and most other movements but the rib cage stops most excessive movements

Question 15

What are the motions of the lumbar vertebrae in regards to the orientation of their facets?

Answer 15

Sagittal plane

Flexion and extension only

Question 16

What comes through the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 16

Spinal nerves

Question 17

What is a slipped disc (Herniated disc)

Answer 17

When the anulus fibrosis become weak and compression of the spinal cord causes the nucleus pulposus to slip out and compress the spinal nerve root exiting through the intervertebral foramen

Question 18

Where are the most common places for a herniated disc?

Answer 18

Cervical and lumbar regions

Question 19

What does a typical cervical vertebrae contain?

Answer 19

1) Lamina is small
2) Pedicles are small
3) Body is small
4) Transverse process and foramen (vertebral artery and vein)
5) Articular facet

Question 20

What are the movement of C1 atlas

Answer 20

Holds the skull

Only bony contact

No body

Yes motion

Atlanto-occipital joint

Question 21

Motions of the C2 cervical axis

Answer 21

“No” movement

Atlanto-axial joint

Question 22

What is unique about the dens process?

Answer 22

It used to be part of the C1 atlas

Question 23

What ligament holds the dens to the atlas?

Answer 23

Transverse ligament

Question 24

What is the typical thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 24

1) Costal facets on body and transverse process

Question 25

What is the typical lumbar vertebrae

Answer 25

1) Short thick spinous process