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Joints & Ligaments of the Spine
joints & ligaments of the spine
16
Anatomy
Graduate
09/19/2013

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Cards

Term
Spine
Definition
  • Cervical - 7
  • Thoracic - 12 
  • Lumbar - 5
  • Sacral - 5  (fused)
  • Coccygeal - 4 (fused)
  • Column is not straight
    • 4 normal sagittal plane curves
    • Thoracic and Sacral concave anteriorly
      • due to shape of the vertebral bodies
      • Primary curves - present at birth
    • Cervical and Lumbar concave posteriorly
      • due to growth of the IVD's
      • Secondary curves - develop after birth
Term
Joints Between the Vertebral Bodies
Definition
  • Cartilaginous Joints
    • Thin layer of hyaline cartilage on the surface of the vertebral bodies
  • Intervertebral Discs (IVD's)
    • fibrocartilage
    • no IVD between C1 and C2
    • Annulus Fibrosus
    • Nucleus Pulposus
Term
Annulus Fibrosus
Definition
  • About 12 concentric rings of fibrocartilage
  • Resists compression and twisting
  • Transfers forces to vertebral bodies
Term
Nucleus Pulposus
Definition
  • Gel-like; holds water (70-80% water)
  • Resists compression
  • Changes shape with movement
  • Make up 25% of the height of the vertebral column
    • 1-2 cm shorter in PM than AM
    • shorter with age due to decreased water content in nucleus pulposus
Term
IVD's
Definition
  • Allows for movement of the column
  • Serve as shock absorbers
  • Poorly vascularized
  • May rupture if severe, sudden force/pressure
    • Slipped disc is really a herniated or prolapsed nucleus pulposus
    • Annulus usually ruptures posterolaterally where it is the thinnest
    • Extruded nuclear material and swelling from the injury may put pressure on sensitive structures and nerves
Term
C1 Joints
Definition
  • Atlas
  • Superior articular facets are rounded to support the skull
  • Atlanto-occipital (A-O) joint primary motions are flexion and extension
  • Fovea dentis = Articular facet for the dens
Term
C2 Joints
Definition
  • Axis
  • Dens which articulates with the fovea dentis on C1 (Atlas pivots around the dens)
  • Atlanto-axial (A-A) joint primary motions are rotation to the left and right
Term
C3-C7 Joints
Definition
  • Facets have oblique orientation (vertical)
    • superior articular facet faces superior and posterior
    • inferior articular facet faces inferior and anterior
Term
Thoracic Joints
Definition
  • Facets are oriented in the frontal plane
    • superior articular facets face posteriorly
    • inferior articular facets face anteriorly
  • "Giraffe"
Term
Lumbar Joints
Definition
  • Facets are oriented in the sagittal plane except L5-S1 which is in the frontal plane
    • superior articular facets face medially
    • inferior articular facets face laterally
  • "Moose"
Term
Sacrum & Coccyx Joints
Definition
  • Sacrum
    • 5 fused vertebrae
    • Sometimes S1 is seperate or L5 is fused to sacrum
  • Coccyx
    • 4 fused vertebrae
Term
Ligaments of the Vertebral Column
Definition
  • Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
  • Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
  • Ligamentum Flavum/Flava
  • Ligamentum Nuchae
  • Interspinous Ligament
  • Supraspinous Ligament
  • Intertransverse Ligaments
Term
Hyperkyphosis
Definition
  • increased thoracic curvature
  • may be due to osteoporosis
Term
Hyperlordosis
Definition
  • Increased lumbar or cervical curvature
  • "Swayback"
  • May be due to pregnancy, weak abdominal muscles, faulty posture
Term
Scoliosis
Definition
  • Lateral curvature and rotation
  • Possible causes include faulty posture, paralysis, leg length discrepancy, congenital malformation, idiopathic
  • Compensatory curves may develop in other parts of the spine
Term
Spinal Stenosis
Definition
  • Narrowing of the spinal canal
  • May result from arthritis or bone spurs
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