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S1M1-Vertebral Column
Ross University
38
Anatomy
Professional
12/09/2009

Additional Anatomy Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Kyphosis
Definition
(hunchback) abnormally increased thoracic curvature
Term
Lordosis
Definition
Abnormally increased lumbar curvature (pregnant women)
Term
Scoliosis
Definition
condition of lateral deviation of vertebral column resulting from unequal growth of the vertebral column, pathologic erosion of vertebral bodies, or asymmetric paralysis or weakness of vertebral muscles.
Term
Spondlyolisthesis
Definition
a forward displacement of a vertebra on the one below, usually of the fifth lumbar over the body of the sacrum; it is usually due to a developmental defect in the pedicle of the migrating vertebra. In this case, the spinal nerve roots may be pressed on, causing low backache, sciatica, or a shortened trunk.
Term
Spondylitis (ankylosing or rheumatoid spondylitis)
Definition

involves inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae and sacroiliac joints. Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of chronic inflammatory arthritis, the most common of which is rheumatoid arthritis, and causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited motion in the (lower) back. It causes the affected vertebrae to fuse or grow together, resulting in a rigid spine (bamboo spine), poor posture, and deformities. Pain and stiffness may progress up to the hip, shoulder, knee, and hand joints.

Term
Nucleus Pulposus
Definition

- Reminant of the embryonic notochord

- situated in the central portion of the intervertebral disk surrounded by the annulus fibrous

- made of cartilgenous and reticular fibers

- could herniate through the annulus fibrous and impinge on spinal nerves, if occurs usually in lumbar region


Normally: acts as a shock absorbing mechanism

Term
First cervical vertebra
Definition

Atlas

supports the skull

no body and no spine, has anterior and posterior arches

 

Term
Second cervical vertebra
Definition

Axis

has the dens which articulates with the anterior arch of the atlas

has the smallest transverse processes

Term
Hangman's fracture
Definition

a fracture of the pedicles of the axis

Often occurs as a result of: judicial hanging or an automobile accident

The cruciform ligament is crushed and the spinal cord is crushed = death

Term
in respect to the spinal cord, what is thought to be a route of early metastesis of carcinoma 
Definition
internal vertebral venous plexus, because they do not contain valves (which might help direct flow and stop some metastesis)
Term
Spina Bifida 
Definition

defective closure of the vertebral arch, usually as a a result of maternal folic acid deficiency

 

occulta: failure of vertebral arch to fuse (hair over skin of area)

 

meningocele: protrusion of meninges through the unfused arch of the vertebra

 

cystica: a severe neural tube defect

-meningocele and meningomyclocele (protrusion of meninges and spinal cord thorugh the dfect)

Term
Siatica
Definition

Pain radiating down the posterior aspect of the thigh.  

 

Can be a result of disc herniation

Term
Where is the most likely site of disc herniation (herniation of the nucleus pulposa)
Definition
Occurs most frequently in the posteriolateral aspect of the disc (where the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments provide no reinforcement)
Term
Which disc does herniation most likely occur?
Definition

L4/L5, where the nucleus pulposas impinges on the L5 spinal nerve

Term
Which part of the spinal nerve supplies to the true back muscles
Definition
Dorsal primary rami supplies sensory innervation fo the skin of hte back and motor innervation to hte true back muscles
Term
What does ventral primary rami do?
Definition
Supply sensory innervation to the skin of the anterior trunk and limbs, and motor innervation to the skeletal muscles of hte neck trunk and extremeties
Term
Which contains efferent sensory fibers? (ventral or dorsal root)
Definition
ventral root
Term
which contains afferent sensory fibers? (ventral or dorsal root)
Definition
dorsal root
Term
ventral and primary rami are given off by what?
Definition
Ventral and dorsal roots come together to fuse and form a spinal nerve which gives off the dorsal and ventral rami
Term
If herniation occurs at invtervertbral disc for C7-T1, which spinal nerve would be compressed?
Definition
C8
Term
Herniating disc impinge on the lower numbered vertebral pair, however the reasons are different for cervical and lower levels.  Describe the regions for each.
Definition

Cervical: The nerve for each segment arise above the vertebra.  ex: for C2 C3, C2 nerve is on top of C2 and C3 goes on top of C3 which is between C2 and C3, and will this be impinged upon with a herniated disc. (note : in the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions the nerve of the same number arises below the vertebra of the same number)

 

Other lower levels:  If a disc herniates between L4 and L5, it will be impinging on the L5 spinal nerve. This is because the L4 nerve lies immediately below the L4 pedicle, above the herniating disc. However, the L5 nerve roots are already proceeding laterally toward the L5 intervertebral foramen, so it is usually caught by the herniating L4/5 disc. 

Term
What level do the dural sac and subarachnoid space end?
Definition
S2
Term
where does the spinal cord usually end in an adult
Definition
L1/L2
Term
What is the purpose of the intervertebral disk?
Definition

- shock absorber

-withstands weight

-adds length to the vertebral column

Term
Approximately where is the conus madullaris?
Definition
L2, it is the termination of the proper spinal cord, from it is the cauda equina
Term
Where are the cell bodies of motor neurons?
Definition
ventral horn of the spinal cord
Term
where are the cell bodies of sensory neurons?
Definition
dorsal root ganglion
Term
what is the location for a lumbar puncture
Definition
Just below the spine of the 4th lumbar vertebra
Term
When inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space, the needle must pass through 3 ligaments, what are they?
Definition

1. supraspinous

2. interspinous

3. ligamenta flava

Term
where is the location of the posterior longitudinal ligament
Definition

Located along the posterior surface of all vertebral bodies.

 

(if you stuck a needle in it would pass both the dura mater and pia mater before getting to the posterior longitudinal ligament)

Term
What is a true back muscle?
Definition

A muscle that acts on the vertebral column producing its movements and maintaing its posture.

 

Innervated by the posterior (dorsal) primary rami

Term
How many segments is the vertebrae? the spinal cord?
Definition

Vertebrae= 33 ( arranged into 5 regions: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacaral and 4 coccygeal)

 

spinal cord = 31 (8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal)

Term
In the lower regions (below cervical) of the vertebra, how and where does the spinal nerve exit?
Definition
Nerve exits below the vertebra (pedicle) of the same number, and exits at the top of the intervertebral forament
Term
caudal anesthetic is administered in the sacral hiatus into which space
Definition
epidural space (bathing the sacral nerve roots)
Term
Horners syndrome symptoms
Definition

1. Ptosis: eyelid droops- sympathetic innervates smooth muscle in eyelid

 

2. Constricted Pupil- parasympathetic innervates sphincter pupillae muscles

 

3. Anhidrosis- No sweat- sypmathetic innervates sudoriferous (sweat) glands

 

4. Flushed face: sympathetic innervates smooth muscle in wall of vessels, especially arteries if smooth muscle denervated, vessels expand

 

Can be the result of a pancoast tumor (on lung), essentially damage to the sympathetic chain ganglia

Term
Which spinal nerves are atypical?
Definition

the first and last, the middle 29 are typical

 

first cervical = purely motor (both somatic and visceral motor)

 

First coccygeal= purely sensory

Term
Which type of fibers (sympathetic or parasympathetic) are located in the body wall and upper and lower limbs?
Definition

sympathetic,

 

There are no parasympathetic fibers in the body wall or in the upper or lower limbs .  In these areas, sympathetic both constricts and dilates the blood vessels.

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