Ligaments of the Spine

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the nucleus pulposus in an intervertebral disc?

To provide structural support to the disc

To act as a shock absorber (correct)

To connect adjacent vertebrae

To facilitate joint motion

Which statement accurately describes true ribs?

They attach directly to the sternum by individual costal cartilages. (correct)

They attach indirectly to the sternum.

They are pairs 8–12 of the ribs.

They do not attach to the sternum.

What components make up the thoracic cage?

Ribs and the sacrum

Cervical vertebrae and sternum

Pelvic bones and lumbar vertebrae

Thoracic vertebrae and ribs (correct)

What role do ligaments play in the vertebral column?

They connect adjacent vertebrae. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of ribs are referred to as floating ribs?

Pairs 11-12 Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the intervertebral disc primarily compared to?

An inflated tire Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'anulus fibrosis' refer to in the context of intervertebral discs?

Concentric rings of collagen sheets Signup and view all the answers

Which bones make up the pectoral girdle?

Clavicle and scapula Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical internal diameter of an acetabulum?

5 cm Signup and view all the answers

What is the average center-edge angle of the acetabulum in the frontal plane?

35° to 40° Signup and view all the answers

What effect does an acetabular anteversion angle greater than 20° have?

Increased anterior dislocation risk Signup and view all the answers

Which bone is the largest and strongest in the body?

Femur Signup and view all the answers

At what angle does the femoral neck typically join the shaft?

125° Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is characterized by a smaller neck-to-shaft angle?

Coxa vara Signup and view all the answers

What are the three segments of the lower limb?

Thigh, shank, foot Signup and view all the answers

What type of loads do the thick articular cartilages on the femoral head primarily sustain?

Higher loads Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary functions of the patella?

To increase the lever arm for knee extension Signup and view all the answers

Which joint allows gliding motion during knee flexion?

Femoropatellar joint Signup and view all the answers

What type of tissue are the medial and lateral menisci composed of?

Fibrous cartilage Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the tibia in the leg?

To transfer weight from the femur to the foot Signup and view all the answers

What type of joint is the hip joint classified as?

Multiaxial ball-and-socket joint Signup and view all the answers

What is excluded from the knee joint and does not transfer weight to the ankle and foot?

Fibula Signup and view all the answers

Which ligament is classified as an intracapsular ligament of the hip joint?

Ligamentum teres Signup and view all the answers

How does the knee joint achieve a locking position at full extension?

By an external rotation of the tibia Signup and view all the answers

Which group of muscles is primarily responsible for hip flexion?

Iliopsoas group Signup and view all the answers

What type of joint are the lateral and medial tibiofemoral joints?

Compound joint Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the acetabular labrum?

To increase the depth of the acetabulum Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of fat pads in the knee joint?

To reduce friction around the joint Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ligaments does NOT belong to the extracapsular group?

Ligamentum teres Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is primarily responsible for thigh adduction?

Adductors Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the fat pad in the hip joint?

To act as a shock absorber Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the stability of the hip joint?

It is extremely dense and strong. Signup and view all the answers

Which ligament reinforces the medial surface of the knee joint?

Tibial collateral ligament Signup and view all the answers

What are the components of the foot?

Tarsals, Metatarsals, Phalanges Signup and view all the answers

Which ligaments provide stability to the ankle joint?

Proximal tibiofibular joint and Distal tibiofibular joint Signup and view all the answers

What allows the foot to bear weight?

Foot arches maintained by ligaments and tendons Signup and view all the answers

What type of joint is the tibiotalar joint?

Hinge joint Signup and view all the answers

Which structure provides the primary weight-bearing surface in the ankle joint?

Distal surface of the tibia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major ligament stabilizing the knee joint?

Medial collateral ligament Signup and view all the answers

What are the three arches of the foot?

Medial longitudinal, Lateral longitudinal, and Transverse Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ligaments and Vertebral Column

Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments run from the neck to the sacrum, providing structural support.
Ligamentum flavum connects adjacent vertebrae with short ligaments, linking each vertebra to those above and below.
Intervertebral joints allow limited motions, contributing to the spine's flexibility overall.

Intervertebral Discs

Composed of a fibrocartilage structure, resembling an inflated tire.
Anulus fibrosis is the outer ring formed by concentric collagen sheets.
Nucleus pulposus is a highly viscous gel at the center, providing resiliency and shock absorption.

Thoracic Cage

Formed by thoracic vertebrae, sternum, and ribs, protecting vital thoracic organs.
Supports the shoulder girdle and upper limbs, with multiple muscle attachment sites.
Contains 12 pairs of ribs: true ribs (1-7) attach directly to the sternum, while false ribs (8-12), including floating ribs (11-12), connect indirectly or not at all.

Appendicular Skeleton

Pectoral girdle consists of clavicle and scapula, connecting the arms to the axial skeleton and serving as muscle attachment points.

Acetabulum

Internal diameter averages about 5 cm; center-edge angle ranges from 35° to 40°, influencing dislocation risk.
Acetabular anteversion angle averages 20°; angles greater than 20° increase the risk of anterior dislocation.

Bones of the Lower Limb

Pelvic girdle and lower limbs support body weight transfer to the ground.
Lower limb segments include thigh (femur), shank (tibia and fibula), and foot (tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges).

Femur

Largest, strongest bone in the body; articulates with the acetabulum and tibia at the knee.
The femoral head features a convex shape with thick articular cartilage centrally and thinner cartilage peripherally.
The femoral neck angles at about 125°; variations (coxa vara or coxa valga) affect hip joint function.

Hip Joint

A multiaxial synovial ball-and-socket joint with significant motion between the femur and hip bone.
Reinforced by five ligaments; features a fat pad for shock absorption and an acetabular labrum for increased depth.

Muscles Associated with the Hip Joint

Anterior: iliopsoas group for hip flexion.
Medial: adductor muscles for thigh adduction.
Posterior: gluteus maximus and hamstrings for hip extension.

Patella

A sesamoid bone at the knee joint, protecting it and reinforcing the quadriceps tendon.
Increases the lever arm for knee extension and has two concave facets for femur articulation.

Shank

The tibia is the medial bone, transferring weight from the femur to the foot.
The fibula runs parallel, provides muscle attachment, and does not contribute to knee weight transfer.

Knee Joint

The largest and most complex joint, comprising the femoropatellar joint and lateral/medial tibiofemoral joints.
Contains medial and lateral menisci that cushion and conform to changing bone positions.

Knee Stabilization

Stabilized by seven major ligaments, including tibial and fibular collateral ligaments, anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, and patellar ligament.

Foot Structure

Supports body weight and acts as a lever for propulsion; includes tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges.
Talus transfers weight from the tibia to the calcaneus.

Foot Arches

Maintained by interlocking bones, ligaments, and tendons, allowing weight support.
Three main arches: lateral longitudinal, medial longitudinal, and transverse.

Ankle Joint

The tibiotalar joint is a hinge joint enabling dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.
Stability arises from the proximal and distal tibiofibular joints.

Ankle Joint Capsule

The articular capsule covers the tibia, fibula, and talus, featuring thin anterior and posterior portions and strong lateral/medial surfaces supported by ligaments.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the key ligaments of the spine, including the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments and the ligamentum flavum. It also explores the function of intervertebral joints and their contribution to spinal flexibility. Test your knowledge on these essential structures.