120 Questions
Which part of the body does the lumbar spine support?
Upper body
How many facet joints are there in the lumbar spine?
10
What percentage of the axial load do the facet joints carry with a normal intact disc?
20-25%
What is the term for degeneration of the intervertebral disc?
Spondylosis
What is the term for a defect in the pars interarticularis or the arch of the vertebra?
Spondylolysis
What is the term for a forward displacement of one vertebra over another?
Spondylolisthesis
What is the term for a backward displacement of one vertebra on another?
Retrolisthesis
Which of the following is a function of the cartilaginous end plate?
Allows fluid to move between the disc and the vertebral body
What is the primary function of the intervertebral discs?
To act as an incompressible fluid
What causes Schmorl's nodules?
Defects in the cartilaginous end plate
Which structure around the intervertebral disc is pain-sensitive?
All of the above
What is the result of a disc prolapse?
Bulging of the disc without rupture of the annulus fibrosus
What can pressure on the spinal cord itself lead to?
Myelopathy
What determines the severity of the neurological deficit in disc injuries?
Amount of pressure on the neurological tissues
Which of the following is a characteristic of the facet joints in the lumbar spine?
They control the direction of movement
What is the close packed position of the facet joints in the lumbar spine?
Extension
What is the capsular pattern of the facet joints in the lumbar spine?
Side flexion and rotation equally limited, followed by extension
Which ligament is unique to the lumbar spine and pelvis?
Iliolumbar ligament
What is the function of the intervertebral discs in the vertebral column?
To allow for significant movement between the vertebrae
What is the outer portion of the annulus fibrosus made up of?
Sharpey's fibers
What happens to the water content of the intervertebral discs with age?
It decreases
Which part of the spine is the most common site of problems in the vertebral column?
Lumbar spine
Which nerve root is more likely to be compressed by the L4 disc?
L5 nerve root
What is the name of the joint between the mobile segment L5 and the stable segment S1?
L5-S1 joint
What is the function of the intervertebral disc unit in the lumbar spine?
To bear weight
Which factor increases the amount of stress on the L5-S1 segment?
Greater angle between L5 and S1
What is the close packed position of the lumbar spine?
Full extension
What is the capsular pattern of the lumbar spine?
Side flexion and rotation equally limited
What is the activity that causes the highest percentage increase in disc pressure at L3?
Lifting a 20-kg weight with the back straight and knees bent
Which of the following is considered a favorable prognostic factor for nonoperative care of lumbar disc herniation?
Progressive return from neurological deficit within the first 12 weeks
Which joints control the direction of movement in the lumbar spine?
Facet joints
What is the resting position of the facet joints in the lumbar spine?
Midway between flexion and extension
What is the function of the iliolumbar ligament?
To stabilize L5 with the ilium
What is the main function of the intervertebral discs in the vertebral column?
To act as a shock absorber
What is the composition of the annulus fibrosus?
Collagenous fibers
What happens to the water content of the intervertebral discs with age?
Decreases
What is the term for the fusion of the fifth lumbar segment to the sacrum or ilium?
Sacralization
Which joint in the lumbar spine carries about 20% to 25% of the axial load with a normal intact disc?
Superior facets
What is the term for a defect in the pars interarticularis or the arch of the vertebra?
Spondylolysis
What is the function of the facet joints in the lumbar spine?
Provide torsional and shear strength
What may lead to a forward displacement of one vertebra over another?
Spondylolisthesis
What is the term for a backward displacement of one vertebra on another?
Retrolisthesis
What is the name for degeneration of the intervertebral disc?
Spondylosis
What part of the body does the lumbar spine support?
Pelvis and lower limbs
Which of the following structures allows fluid to move between the intervertebral disc and the vertebral body?
Cartilaginous end plates
What is the primary function of the cartilaginous end plate?
To restrict the movement of large molecules into the disc
What is the main source of nutrition for the intervertebral disc?
Cartilaginous end plates
At what age does the vascularity of the intervertebral discs decrease?
8 years
What percentage of individuals have Schmorl's nodules?
20% to 30%
What is the result of a disc extrusion?
The annulus fibrosus is perforated and discal material moves into the epidural space
What are the pain-sensitive structures around the intervertebral disc?
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Which of the following is true about the nerve roots in the lumbar spine?
Each root is named for the vertebra above it
Which segment of the vertebral column is the most common site of problems?
Lumbar spine
What increases the stress on the L5-S1 segment of the vertebral column?
Increased weight-bearing at this level
What is the primary function of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine?
To allow for movement between the vertebrae
Which activity causes the highest percentage increase in disc pressure at L3?
Lifting a 20-kg weight with the back straight and knees bent
Which of the following is a favorable prognostic factor for nonoperative care of lumbar disc herniation?
Limited psychosocial issues
What is the term for a defect in the pars interarticularis or the arch of the vertebra?
Spondylolysis
What is the function of the cartilaginous end plate in the intervertebral disc unit?
To provide nutrition to the disc
What is the term for a backward displacement of one vertebra on another?
Spondylolisthesis
Which structure in the intervertebral disc unit allows fluid to move between the disc and the vertebral body?
Cartilaginous end plate
What is the term for the herniation of the nucleus pulposus into the vertebral body?
Schmorl's nodules
Which part of the intervertebral disc unit is primarily avascular?
Annulus fibrosus
Which structure restricts the movement of large molecules into the intervertebral disc?
Cartilaginous end plate
What is the term for a disc injury in which the annulus fibrosus is perforated and discal material moves into the epidural space?
Disc extrusion
Which part of the intervertebral disc unit decreases with age and is replaced with collagen?
Mucopolysaccharides
What is the term for a disc injury in which the disc bulges posteriorly without rupture of the annulus fibrosus?
Disc prolapse
Which structure should be included in any examination of the spine as a whole or in any examination of the hip or sacroiliac joints?
Lumbar spine
What may lead to degeneration of the intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine?
Injury, degeneration, or trauma to the motion segment
What is the term for a forward displacement of one vertebra over another?
Spondylolisthesis
What is the primary function of the facet joints in the lumbar spine?
Provide torsional and shear strength
What is the composition of the annulus fibrosus?
Fibrocartilage
What ligament is unique to the lumbar spine and pelvis?
Ligamentum flavum
What is the name of the joint between the mobile segment L5 and the stable segment S1?
Sacroiliac joint
Which of the following joints control the movement that occurs in the lumbar spine?
Facet joints
What is the resting position of the facet joints in the lumbar spine?
Midway between flexion and extension
What ligament connects the transverse process of L5 to the posterior ilium in the lumbar spine?
Iliolumbar ligament
What is the function of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine?
All of the above
What is the composition of the annulus fibrosus in the intervertebral disc?
Outer zone made up of fibrocartilage, intermediate zone made up of fibrocartilage, inner zone made up of fibrocartilage
What happens to the water content of the intervertebral discs with age?
Decreases
What is the term for the degeneration of the intervertebral disc?
Spondylosis
Which segment of the vertebral column is the most common site of problems?
Lumbar spine
What is the angle between L5 and S1 compared to the angles between other vertebrae?
Greater
What is the name of the joint between the mobile segment L5 and the stable segment S1?
Sacroiliac joint
Which nerve root is more likely to be compressed by the L4 disc?
L5
What is the resting position of the facet joints in the lumbar spine?
Midway between flexion and extension
What is the main function of the intervertebral discs in the vertebral column?
To bear weight
What determines the severity of the neurological deficit in disc injuries?
The size of the disc herniation
What is the term for a defect in the pars interarticularis or the arch of the vertebra?
Spondylolysis
What is the main source of nutrition for the intervertebral disc?
Cartilaginous end plate
Which structure in the intervertebral disc unit allows fluid to move between the disc and the vertebral body?
Cartilaginous end plate
What is the name for herniations of the nucleus pulposus into the vertebral body?
Schmorl's nodules
Which of the following is a symptom of pressure on the cauda equina?
Bowel/bladder dysfunction
What is the term for a defect in the pars interarticularis or the arch of the vertebra?
Spondylolisthesis
What is the function of the intervertebral discs in the vertebral column?
To allow movement
Which structure around the intervertebral disc is primarily avascular?
Annulus fibrosus
What is the term for a protrusion of the disc without rupture of the annulus fibrosus?
Disc prolapse
What is the main function of the facet joints in the lumbar spine?
To allow movement between the bones
What is the term for the abnormal occurrence where the first sacral segment is included in discussions of the lumbar spine?
Lumbarization of S1
Which ligament connects the transverse process of L5 to the posterior ilium in the lumbar spine?
Iliolumbar ligament
What is the composition of the annulus fibrosus in the intervertebral disc?
All of the above
What is the term for the gradual replacement of the hydrophilic mucoid tissue in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc with fibrocartilage?
Nucleus pulposus degeneration
What is the percentage of water in the intervertebral disc at birth?
90%
What is the main source of nutrition for the intervertebral disc?
Diffusion from surrounding blood vessels
Which segment of the vertebral column is the most common site of problems due to bearing more weight than any other vertebral level?
L5-S1
What is the term for the degeneration of the intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine?
Discogenic low back pain
What is the composition of the annulus fibrosus in the intervertebral disc unit?
Consolidated fibrous tissue
What is the term for a disc injury in which the annulus fibrosus is perforated and discal material moves into the epidural space?
Intervertebral disc herniation
What is the resting position of the facet joints in the lumbar spine?
Midway between flexion and extension
What ligament connects the transverse process of L5 to the posterior ilium in the lumbar spine?
Iliolumbar ligament
What is the name of the joint between the mobile segment L5 and the stable segment S1?
Sacroiliac joint
What is the term for a forward displacement of one vertebra over another?
Spondylolisthesis
What ligament is unique to the lumbar spine and pelvis?
Iliolumbar ligament
Which of the following is NOT a possible result of injury, degeneration, or trauma to the motion segment in the lumbar spine?
Retrolisthesis
How many facet joints are there in the lumbar spine?
10
What percentage of the axial load do the facet joints carry with a normal intact disc?
20%
What percentage of the axial load can the facet joints carry with degeneration of the disc?
70%
What percentage of the torsional and shear strength do the facet joints provide?
40%
What direction do the superior facets, or articular processes, face in the lumbar spine?
Medially and backward
What direction do the inferior facets face in the lumbar spine?
Laterally and forward
Quiz: Understanding the Structure and Function of Intervertebral Discs Test your knowledge on intervertebral discs with this quiz. Learn about the composition of the disc, the role of mucopolysaccharides, and the relationship between the disc shape and the body it is attached to. Perfect for anatomy enthusiasts and healthcare professionals.
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