Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary cause of meningitis?
What is the primary cause of meningitis?
What clinical sign is demonstrated by severe neck stiffness in meningitis patients?
What clinical sign is demonstrated by severe neck stiffness in meningitis patients?
Which part of the spinal anatomy is referred to as the 'conus medullaris'?
Which part of the spinal anatomy is referred to as the 'conus medullaris'?
Which structure is primarily responsible for anchoring the spinal cord to the coccyx?
Which structure is primarily responsible for anchoring the spinal cord to the coccyx?
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What does severe neck stiffness typically indicate in a clinical assessment?
What does severe neck stiffness typically indicate in a clinical assessment?
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What is the primary function of the annulus fibrosus?
What is the primary function of the annulus fibrosus?
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What happens when the annulus fibrosus is weaker in the posterior region?
What happens when the annulus fibrosus is weaker in the posterior region?
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What role does the nucleus pulposus play in the intervertebral disc?
What role does the nucleus pulposus play in the intervertebral disc?
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What anatomical feature characterizes C1 (Atlas) among cervical vertebrae?
What anatomical feature characterizes C1 (Atlas) among cervical vertebrae?
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Which cervical vertebra is known for having a tooth-like projection called the dens?
Which cervical vertebra is known for having a tooth-like projection called the dens?
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Which of the following describes the function of the transverse foramen in cervical vertebrae?
Which of the following describes the function of the transverse foramen in cervical vertebrae?
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What contributes to the vulnerability of the intervertebral foramen during herniation?
What contributes to the vulnerability of the intervertebral foramen during herniation?
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Which muscle is primarily involved in the elevation of the scapula?
Which muscle is primarily involved in the elevation of the scapula?
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What is the role of the intervertebral disc in the spine?
What is the role of the intervertebral disc in the spine?
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What is the action of the Latissimus dorsi muscle?
What is the action of the Latissimus dorsi muscle?
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What nerve supplies the Latissimus dorsi?
What nerve supplies the Latissimus dorsi?
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Which muscle assists in the retraction of the scapula?
Which muscle assists in the retraction of the scapula?
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The triangle of auscultation is bordered laterally by which structure?
The triangle of auscultation is bordered laterally by which structure?
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Which action is associated with the Serratus anterior?
Which action is associated with the Serratus anterior?
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What overcomes gravity to assist in the depression of the scapula?
What overcomes gravity to assist in the depression of the scapula?
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Which muscles are primarily involved in superior rotation of the scapula?
Which muscles are primarily involved in superior rotation of the scapula?
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What is the primary action of the levator scapulae muscle?
What is the primary action of the levator scapulae muscle?
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Which nerve innervates the levator scapulae and rhomboid muscles?
Which nerve innervates the levator scapulae and rhomboid muscles?
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Which muscles belong to the extrinsic (superficial) back muscles?
Which muscles belong to the extrinsic (superficial) back muscles?
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Where does the rhomboid major muscle originate?
Where does the rhomboid major muscle originate?
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Which artery supplies blood to the levator scapulae and rhomboid muscles?
Which artery supplies blood to the levator scapulae and rhomboid muscles?
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Which of the following best describes the intrinsic (deep) muscles of the back?
Which of the following best describes the intrinsic (deep) muscles of the back?
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What is the role of the erector spinae muscles?
What is the role of the erector spinae muscles?
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Which specific muscles are included in the erector spinae group?
Which specific muscles are included in the erector spinae group?
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What structures make up the costo-vertebral joint?
What structures make up the costo-vertebral joint?
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Which vertebrae are fused to form the sacrum?
Which vertebrae are fused to form the sacrum?
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Which muscle is classified as an extrinsic back muscle?
Which muscle is classified as an extrinsic back muscle?
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What type of nerve innervates the intrinsic back muscles?
What type of nerve innervates the intrinsic back muscles?
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What is the primary action of extrinsic back muscles?
What is the primary action of extrinsic back muscles?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of lumbar vertebrae?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of lumbar vertebrae?
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Which structure is found at the posterior sacral foramina?
Which structure is found at the posterior sacral foramina?
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What is the primary function of the trapezius muscle?
What is the primary function of the trapezius muscle?
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How many coccygeal vertebrae are typically fused together to form the coccyx?
How many coccygeal vertebrae are typically fused together to form the coccyx?
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What is the primary function of the intrinsic back muscles?
What is the primary function of the intrinsic back muscles?
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Study Notes
Intervertebral Discs
- Composed of two main parts: Annulus fibrosus and Nucleus pulposus
- Annulus fibrosus is the tough exterior, made of fibrocartilage
- Nucleus pulposus is the soft, gelatinous center
- Annulus fibrosus is thinner posteriorly, making it weaker
- This weakness can lead to herniation of the nucleus pulposus
- Herniation can compress the intervertebral foramen and spinal nerve
Vertebral Column Anatomy
- Intervertebral foramen is the space for intervertebral discs
- Zygapophyseal (facet) joint is the articulation between vertebral arches
-
Cervical Vertebrae
- Typical cervical vertebrae have horizontal articular facets
- Bifid spinous process
- Small body
- Uncinate processes
- Transverse foramina allow passage of vertebral artery
- Three specialized cervical vertebrae: C1 (Atlas), C2 (Axis), C7
- C1 (Atlas) is the first cervical vertebra, lacking a body
- Has lateral masses with superior articular facets for occipital condyles
- Connects to C2 via dens
- C2 (Axis) is the second cervical vertebra, with a tooth like projection called the dens
- Dens serves as a pivot point for rotation of the head
- C7 has a long, prominent spinous process
-
Thoracic Vertebrae
- Articulate with ribs at the costo-vertebral joint
-
Lumbar Vertebrae
- Large, bean-shaped bodies
- Short, deep spinous processes
- Short transverse processes
- Mammillary and accessory processes
- Articular facets are curved
-
Sacrum
- 5 fused vertebrae
- Sacral promontory is the anterior projection of the first sacral vertebra
- Anterior sacral foramina transmit ventral rami of sacral nerves
- Posterior sacral foramina transmit dorsal rami
- Sacral hiatus is the opening at the inferior end
- Median sacral crest formed by fused spinous processes
-
Coccyx
- 2-4 fused vertebrae
Surface Anatomy
- Landmarks for palpation:
- Spine of scapula
- Medial border of scapula
- Inferior angle of scapula
- Teres major
- Latissimus dorsi
- Erector spinae
- Posterior superior iliac spine
- Sacral dimple
Muscle Overview
-
Extrinsic Back Muscles
- Originate on the back but primarily act on other regions, particularly upper limb
- Trapezius
- Latissimus dorsi
- Levator scapulae
- Rhomboid major
- Rhomboid minor
-
Intrinsic Back Muscles
- Deep to extrinsic muscles
- Originate and insert on the back
- Primarily act on the vertebral column
- Innervated by dorsal primary rami
Extrinsic Back Muscles
-
Trapezius
- Origin: Occipital bone, nuchal ligament, spinous processes of cervical and thoracic vertebrae
- Insertion: Scapular spine, acromion process, 1/3 of clavicle
- Nerve: Accessory nerve (CN XI)
- Action: Varies by fibers: elevates, retracts, rotates, and depresses scapula
-
Latissimus Dorsi
- Origin: Spinous processes of lower thoracic vertebrae, thoracolumbar fascia
- Insertion: Intertubercular sulcus (bicipital groove) of humerus
- Nerve: Thoracodorsal nerve (C5-C7)
- Action: Adducts, extends, and medially (internally) rotates humerus
-
Levator Scapulae
- Origin: Transverse processes of upper cervical vertebrae
- Insertion: Medial border/superior angle of scapula
- Nerve: Dorsal scapular nerve (C5)
- Action: Elevates and inferiorly rotates scapula
-
Rhomboid Major & Minor
- Origin: Spinous processes of lower cervical & upper thoracic vertebrae
- Insertion: Medial border of scapula
- Nerve: Dorsal scapular nerve (C5)
- Action: Retract and elevate scapula
Triangle of Auscultation
- Located on the back, between the scapula and the erector spinae muscles
- Borders: Latissimus dorsi (inferior), trapezius (medial), medial border of scapula (lateral)
- Overlies the 6th intercostal space
- Important for auscultation of the lungs
Intrinsic Back Muscles: Superficial Group
-
Splenius
- 2 muscles: Splenius capitis and splenius cervicis
- Origin: Nuchal ligament & spinous processes of C7-T6
- Insertion: Splenius capitis - Mastoid process, Splenius cervicis - transverse processes of C1-C3
- Nerve: Local dorsal primary rami of spinal nerves
- Action: Extension and rotation of the head and neck
-
Erector Spinae
- 3 muscles: Iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis
- Origin: Sacrum, iliac crest, spinous processes of lumbar and thoracic vertebrae
- Insertion: Ribs, transverse processes, spinous processes of vertebrae
- Nerve: Dorsal primary rami
- Action: Extension, lateral flexion, and rotation of vertebral column
Meningitis
- Inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
- Usually caused by bacterial or viral infections
- Symptoms include severe neck stiffness, fever, headache, and photophobia
- Brudzinski's sign is a symptom where flexion of the neck causes flexion of the hips and knees
Image Credits
- Source of images stated for educational purposes under fair use guidelines
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Description
Explore the anatomy of the vertebral column and the structure of intervertebral discs. Learn about the composition of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus, as well as the characteristics of cervical vertebrae. This quiz covers the details important for understanding spinal anatomy and potential ailments.
