Clinical Correlations of the Back – Dr. Elizabeth Moffett

Fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering congenital anomalies, traumatic injuries, degenerative conditions, vascular supply, imaging signs, and clinical procedures of the spine.

The valve-less venous network that runs the length of the vertebral column is the __.

Vertebral Venous Plexus

Metastatic cancers can spread directly to vertebral bodies through the __ veins.

Basivertebral

An abnormal lateral spinal curve greater than 10° is called __.

scoliosis

In scoliosis, curves >40° are classified as __ severity.

severe

Conversion of L5 into part of the sacrum is termed __.

sacralization

The opposite of sacralization, when S1 behaves as an extra lumbar vertebra, is __.

lumbarization

Extra ribs arising most commonly from C7 are known as __.

cervical ribs

A compression fracture that involves only part of the vertebral body is a __ fracture.

wedge

A fracture that shatters the vertebral body in all directions is a __ fracture.

burst

A burst fracture of C1 caused by compression of the axial is called a __ fracture.

Jefferson

In a _ the lateral masses of C1 seperate.

Jefferson fracture

A sudden compression of C1 (falling on your head) can cause a _ fracture and rupture of the _.

Jefferson, transverse ligament

Fracture of the pars interarticularis of C2 due to hyper-extension is a __ fracture.

Hangman’s

Fracture of the dens of C2 is referred to as an __ fracture.

odontoid

Spondylolysis is most common in _ vertebrae

Lumbar

Cervical vertebrae are more likely to dislocate due to the _ orientation of the articular facets.

Horizontal

Cervical dislocations can be _ or _.

Perched, locked

Forward slippage of one vertebra over another is __.

spondylolisthesis

Degenerative arthritis of the spine producing osteophytes is called spinal __.

spondylosis

On oblique lumbar radiographs, the "Scotty dog" sign—with a broken neck—indicates __, fracture of the pars interarticularis.

spondylolysis

Inflammatory autoimmune disease that produces a "bamboo spine" appearance is __.

ankylosing spondylitis

The “bamboo” appearance in ankyling spondylitis is a result of _ over the IVDs.

Osseous bridges

Loss of bone mass predisposing to compression fractures is __.

osteoporosis

Vertical striations & radiolucency on vertebral bodies are an early imaging sign of __.

osteoporosis (XR)

Osteoporosis occurs due to the large amount of _ bone in the vertebral body, allowing for lots of bone resorption.

trabecular

Narrowing of the vertebral canal leading to cord compression is spinal __.

stenosis (myelopathy)

Narrowing of the intervertebral foramen compressing a spinal nerve is __.

radiculopathy

Accumulation of osteophytes that narrow the neural foramen is characteristic of __.

spinal osteoarthritis / spondylosis

A stress fracture confirmed on oblique lumbar imaging by a radiolucent line through the pars is __.

spondylolysis

In the cervical spine, articular facets that slip but remain in partial contact are called __ facets.

perched

When cervical facets completely override and lock, the injury is a __ facet dislocation.

locked

Segmental arteries that reinforce the anterior & posterior spinal arteries are called __ arteries.

segmental medullary

Anterior radicular arteries supply the __ roots.

ventral (motor)

Posterior radicular arteries supply the __ roots.

dorsal (sensory)

Lumbar puncture and epidural anesthesia are typically performed below the level of __ to avoid the spinal cord.

L3 vertebra

Collection of CSF by penetrating the dura is called a __.

lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

Injection of anesthetic into the epidural space without piercing the dura is __ anesthesia.

epidural

Thoracic outlet syndrome may be produced by the presence of __ ribs.

cervical

Autoimmune bridging of vertebral bodies across discs leads to the radiographic appearance nicknamed __ spine.

bamboo

Pain from tension headaches can arise as the greater occipital nerve pierces the __ and trapezius muscles.

semispinalis capitis

Dehydration and collapse of the nucleus pulposus are hallmarks of intervertebral disc __.

degeneration

Posterolateral herniation at L4-5 typically compresses the __ spinal nerve.

L5

Posterolateral herniation at C5-6 compresses the __ spinal nerve root.

C6

The blood vessels supplying vertebrae & spinal cord arise primarily from vertebral, posterior intercostal, lumbar, and __ sacral arteries.

lateral

A burst fracture differs from a wedge fracture because in a burst fracture bone fragments may be __ displaced, endangering the cord.

posteriorly

Valve-less veins in the vertebral plexus allow spread of cancers from the pelvis to the __.

brain (and vice-versa)

In degenerative disc disease, osteophyte formation at vertebral margins is an attempt to __ the spine.

stabilize