Vertebral Column Anatomy and Intervertebral Discs
39 Questions
0 Views

Vertebral Column Anatomy and Intervertebral Discs

Created by
@WonFantasy9102

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of meningitis?

  • A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain (correct)
  • A fungal infection of the brain
  • Direct trauma to the brain and spinal cord
  • A chronic inflammation of the spine

    • What clinical sign is demonstrated by severe neck stiffness in meningitis patients?

  • Babinski's sign
  • Marcus Gunn pupil
  • Brudzinski's sign (correct)
  • Kernig's sign

    • Which part of the spinal anatomy is referred to as the 'conus medullaris'?

  • The area of nervous tissue at the base of the brain
  • The protective membranes surrounding the spinal cord
  • The collection of spinal nerves below the conus
  • The terminal extension of the spinal cord (correct)

    • Which structure is primarily responsible for anchoring the spinal cord to the coccyx?

    <p>Filum terminale</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does severe neck stiffness typically indicate in a clinical assessment?

    <p>A possible indication of meningitis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the annulus fibrosus?

    <p>Provides a tough exterior for the intervertebral disc</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when the annulus fibrosus is weaker in the posterior region?

    <p>It can lead to herniation of the nucleus pulposus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the nucleus pulposus play in the intervertebral disc?

    <p>Acts as a soft, gelatinous center allowing movement with posture changes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What anatomical feature characterizes C1 (Atlas) among cervical vertebrae?

    <p>It lacks a body and supports the skull</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cervical vertebra is known for having a tooth-like projection called the dens?

    <p>C2</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes the function of the transverse foramen in cervical vertebrae?

    <p>Facilitates passage of the vertebral artery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributes to the vulnerability of the intervertebral foramen during herniation?

    <p>Weakness in the posterior annulus fibrosus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which muscle is primarily involved in the elevation of the scapula?

    <p>Levator scapulae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the intervertebral disc in the spine?

    <p>To absorb shock and allow mobility between vertebrae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the action of the Latissimus dorsi muscle?

    <p>Adducts, extends, and medially rotates the humerus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What nerve supplies the Latissimus dorsi?

    <p>Thoracodorsal nerve</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which muscle assists in the retraction of the scapula?

    <p>Rhomboid major</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The triangle of auscultation is bordered laterally by which structure?

    <p>Lateral border of the scapula</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which action is associated with the Serratus anterior?

    <p>Superior rotation of the scapula</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What overcomes gravity to assist in the depression of the scapula?

    <p>Gravity itself</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which muscles are primarily involved in superior rotation of the scapula?

    <p>Trapezius and Serratus anterior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary action of the levator scapulae muscle?

    <p>Elevates and inferiorly rotates the scapula</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which nerve innervates the levator scapulae and rhomboid muscles?

    <p>Dorsal scapular nerve</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which muscles belong to the extrinsic (superficial) back muscles?

    <p>Both A and C</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where does the rhomboid major muscle originate?

    <p>Spinous processes of lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which artery supplies blood to the levator scapulae and rhomboid muscles?

    <p>Dorsal scapular artery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the intrinsic (deep) muscles of the back?

    <p>They are deep to the extrinsic muscles and act on the vertebral column.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the erector spinae muscles?

    <p>Extend the spinal column</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which specific muscles are included in the erector spinae group?

    <p>Iliocostalis, Longissimus, Spinalis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What structures make up the costo-vertebral joint?

    <p>Vertebral bodies and superior/inferior facets of the rib</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which vertebrae are fused to form the sacrum?

    <p>5 fused sacral vertebrae and 5 lumbar vertebrae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which muscle is classified as an extrinsic back muscle?

    <p>Trapezius</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of nerve innervates the intrinsic back muscles?

    <p>Dorsal primary rami</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary action of extrinsic back muscles?

    <p>Performing movements of the upper limb</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of lumbar vertebrae?

    <p>Transverse foramina for blood vessels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure is found at the posterior sacral foramina?

    <p>Spinal nerves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the trapezius muscle?

    <p>Elevates and retracts the scapula</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many coccygeal vertebrae are typically fused together to form the coccyx?

    <p>2-4</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the intrinsic back muscles?

    <p>Stabilizing the vertebral column</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Back and Spinal Cord HSC 360 Undergraduate Anatomy PDF

    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.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser