4. Back: Vertebral Column, Muscles and Radioanatomy

Question 1 What is the key description or significance of Vertebral column?

Composed of 33 vertebrae: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral fused as sacrum, and 4 coccygeal.

Question 2 Which term or structure is described as: Composed of 33 vertebrae: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral fused as sacrum, and 4 coccygeal.

Vertebral column

Question 3 What is the key description or significance of Functions of vertebral column?

Protects spinal cord, supports head and trunk, and permits rib-cage movement through rib articulations.

Question 4 Which term or structure is described as: Protects spinal cord, supports head and trunk, and permits rib-cage movement through rib articulations.

Functions of vertebral column

Question 5 What is the key description or significance of Primary spinal curvatures?

Thoracic and sacral curvatures; develop during embryonic and fetal periods.

Question 6 Which term or structure is described as: Thoracic and sacral curvatures; develop during embryonic and fetal periods.

Primary spinal curvatures

Question 7 What is the key description or significance of Secondary spinal curvatures?

Cervical and lumbar curvatures; develop after birth and during infancy.

Question 8 Which term or structure is described as: Cervical and lumbar curvatures; develop after birth and during infancy.

Secondary spinal curvatures

Question 9 What is the key description or significance of Common cervical disc-herniation levels?

C5-C6 and C6-C7 are noted as most susceptible in the handout.

Question 10 Which term or structure is described as: C5-C6 and C6-C7 are noted as most susceptible in the handout.

Common cervical disc-herniation levels

Question 11 What is the key description or significance of Common lumbar disc-herniation levels?

L4-L5 and L5-S1 are usually affected.

Question 12 Which term or structure is described as: L4-L5 and L5-S1 are usually affected.

Common lumbar disc-herniation levels

Question 13 What is the key description or significance of Posterolateral L4-L5 disc herniation?

In the handout example, tends to affect the L5 nerve root.

Question 14 Which term or structure is described as: In the handout example, tends to affect the L5 nerve root.

Posterolateral L4-L5 disc herniation

Question 15 What is the key description or significance of Far-lateral L4-L5 disc herniation?

In the reviewer note, can affect the L4 nerve root.

Question 16 Which term or structure is described as: In the reviewer note, can affect the L4 nerve root.

Far-lateral L4-L5 disc herniation

Question 17 What is the key description or significance of Typical vertebral body?

Rounded anterior part of a typical vertebra.

Question 18 Which term or structure is described as: Rounded anterior part of a typical vertebra.

Typical vertebral body

Question 19 What is the key description or significance of Vertebral arch?

Posterior part of a typical vertebra formed by pedicles and laminae.

Question 20 Which term or structure is described as: Posterior part of a typical vertebra formed by pedicles and laminae.

Vertebral arch

Question 21 What is the key description or significance of Pedicles?

Lateral components of the vertebral arch.

Question 22 Which term or structure is described as: Lateral components of the vertebral arch.

Pedicles

Question 23 What is the key description or significance of Laminae?

Posterior components of the vertebral arch.

Question 24 Which term or structure is described as: Posterior components of the vertebral arch.

Laminae

Question 25 What is the key description or significance of Seven processes of a typical vertebra?

One spinous process, two transverse processes, and four articular processes.

Question 26 Which term or structure is described as: One spinous process, two transverse processes, and four articular processes.

Seven processes of a typical vertebra

Question 27 What is the key description or significance of Vertebral foramen?

Opening protecting spinal cord and associated structures; successive foramina form vertebral canal.

Question 28 Which term or structure is described as: Opening protecting spinal cord and associated structures; successive foramina form vertebral canal.

Vertebral foramen

Question 29 What is the key description or significance of Intervertebral foramen?

Opening between adjacent vertebrae transmitting spinal nerves and accompanying vessels.

Question 30 Which term or structure is described as: Opening between adjacent vertebrae transmitting spinal nerves and accompanying vessels.

Intervertebral foramen

Question 31 What is the key description or significance of Transverse foramen?

Characteristic cervical opening transmitting vertebral artery except at C7, plus vertebral veins and autonomic nerves.

Question 32 Which term or structure is described as: Characteristic cervical opening transmitting vertebral artery except at C7, plus vertebral veins and autonomic nerves.

Transverse foramen

Question 33 What is the key description or significance of Typical cervical spinous process?

Small and usually bifid in the regional comparison.

Question 34 Which term or structure is described as: Small and usually bifid in the regional comparison.

Typical cervical spinous process

Question 35 What is the key description or significance of Typical cervical body?

Small and broad side-to-side.

Question 36 Which term or structure is described as: Small and broad side-to-side.

Typical cervical body

Question 37 What is the key description or significance of Typical cervical vertebral foramen?

Large and triangular.

Question 38 Which term or structure is described as: Large and triangular.

Typical cervical vertebral foramen

Question 39 What is the key description or significance of Typical thoracic spinous process?

Long and inclined downward.

Question 40 Which term or structure is described as: Long and inclined downward.

Typical thoracic spinous process

Question 41 What is the key description or significance of Typical thoracic body?

Medium-sized and heart-shaped.

Question 42 Which term or structure is described as: Medium-sized and heart-shaped.

Typical thoracic body

Question 43 What is the key description or significance of Thoracic costal facets on bodies?

Articulate with heads of ribs.

Question 44 Which term or structure is described as: Articulate with heads of ribs.

Thoracic costal facets on bodies

Question 45 What is the key description or significance of Thoracic costal facets on transverse processes?

Articulate with tubercles of ribs.

Question 46 Which term or structure is described as: Articulate with tubercles of ribs.

Thoracic costal facets on transverse processes

Question 47 What is the key description or significance of Typical lumbar spinous process?

Short, flat, quadrangular, and projecting posteriorly.

Question 48 Which term or structure is described as: Short, flat, quadrangular, and projecting posteriorly.

Typical lumbar spinous process

Question 49 What is the key description or significance of Typical lumbar body?

Large and kidney-shaped.

Question 50 Which term or structure is described as: Large and kidney-shaped.

Typical lumbar body

Question 51 What is the key description or significance of Lumbar mammillary and accessory processes?

Characteristic additional processes of lumbar vertebrae listed in the regional comparison.

Question 52 Which term or structure is described as: Characteristic additional processes of lumbar vertebrae listed in the regional comparison.

Lumbar mammillary and accessory processes

Question 53 What is the key description or significance of Atlas, C1?

Widest cervical vertebra; lacks a body and spinous process, has anterior/posterior arches and two lateral masses.

Question 54 Which term or structure is described as: Widest cervical vertebra; lacks a body and spinous process, has anterior/posterior arches and two lateral masses.

Atlas, C1

Question 55 What is the key description or significance of Axis, C2?

Second cervical vertebra characterized by the odontoid process or dens projecting superiorly.

Question 56 Which term or structure is described as: Second cervical vertebra characterized by the odontoid process or dens projecting superiorly.

Axis, C2

Question 57 What is the key description or significance of Vertebra prominens, C7?

Has the longest non-bifid cervical spinous process, large transverse process, and small transverse foramen.

Question 58 Which term or structure is described as: Has the longest non-bifid cervical spinous process, large transverse process, and small transverse foramen.

Vertebra prominens, C7

Question 59 What is the key description or significance of Atlanto-occipital joint?

Synovial articulation between occipital condyles and superior facets of atlas; permits flexion, extension, lateral flexion but no rotation.

Question 60 Which term or structure is described as: Synovial articulation between occipital condyles and superior facets of atlas; permits flexion, extension, lateral flexion but no rotation.

Atlanto-occipital joint

Question 61 What is the key description or significance of Atlantoaxial joints?

Three synovial joints permitting extensive rotation of atlas/head on axis.

Question 62 Which term or structure is described as: Three synovial joints permitting extensive rotation of atlas/head on axis.

Atlantoaxial joints

Question 63 What is the key description or significance of Sacrum?

Five fused rudimentary vertebrae forming a wedge-shaped bone, concave anteriorly.

Question 64 Which term or structure is described as: Five fused rudimentary vertebrae forming a wedge-shaped bone, concave anteriorly.

Sacrum

Question 65 What is the key description or significance of Sacral promontory?

Prominent anterior edge of S1.

Question 66 Which term or structure is described as: Prominent anterior edge of S1.

Sacral promontory

Question 67 What is the key description or significance of Sacral ala?

Superior-lateral sacral part formed by fused transverse and costal processes of S1.

Question 68 Which term or structure is described as: Superior-lateral sacral part formed by fused transverse and costal processes of S1.

Sacral ala

Question 69 What is the key description or significance of Sacral canal?

Continuation of vertebral canal containing sacral/coccygeal nerve roots, filum terminale, fibrofatty material, and lower subarachnoid space.

Question 70 Which term or structure is described as: Continuation of vertebral canal containing sacral/coccygeal nerve roots, filum terminale, fibrofatty material, and lower subarachnoid space.

Sacral canal

Question 71 What is the key description or significance of Sacral hiatus?

Opening caused by failure of S5 laminae to fuse; landmark for caudal epidural anesthesia.

Question 72 Which term or structure is described as: Opening caused by failure of S5 laminae to fuse; landmark for caudal epidural anesthesia.

Sacral hiatus

Question 73 What is the key description or significance of Median sacral crest?

Formed by fused spinous processes.

Question 74 Which term or structure is described as: Formed by fused spinous processes.

Median sacral crest

Question 75 What is the key description or significance of Sacral cornua?

Formed by pedicles of fifth sacral vertebra and used as landmarks for locating sacral hiatus.

Question 76 Which term or structure is described as: Formed by pedicles of fifth sacral vertebra and used as landmarks for locating sacral hiatus.

Sacral cornua

Question 77 What is the key description or significance of Coccyx?

Small triangular bone typically formed by four fused coccygeal vertebrae and providing attachment for coccygeus and levator ani.

Question 78 Which term or structure is described as: Small triangular bone typically formed by four fused coccygeal vertebrae and providing attachment for coccygeus and levator ani.

Coccyx

Question 79 What is the key description or significance of Hyoid vertebral level?

C3 in the surface-landmark table.

Question 80 Which term or structure is described as: C3 in the surface-landmark table.

Hyoid vertebral level

Question 81 What is the key description or significance of Thyroid cartilage level?

C4-C5 in the surface-landmark table.

Question 82 Which term or structure is described as: C4-C5 in the surface-landmark table.

Thyroid cartilage level

Question 83 What is the key description or significance of Cricoid cartilage level?

C6.

Question 84 Which term or structure is described as: C6.

Cricoid cartilage level

Question 85 What is the key description or significance of Start of trachea and esophagus?

C6.

Question 86 What is the key description or significance of Scapular superior angle level?

T2.

Question 87 Which term or structure is described as: T2.

Scapular superior angle level

Question 88 What is the key description or significance of Scapular spine level?

T3.

Question 89 Which term or structure is described as: T3.

Scapular spine level

Question 90 What is the key description or significance of Scapular inferior angle level?

T7.

Question 91 Which term or structure is described as: T7.

Scapular inferior angle level

Question 92 What is the key description or significance of Transpyloric plane?

L1.

Question 93 Which term or structure is described as: L1.

Transpyloric plane

Question 94 What is the key description or significance of Aortic bifurcation?

L4 in the vertebral-level table.

Question 95 Which term or structure is described as: L4 in the vertebral-level table.

Aortic bifurcation

Question 96 What is the key description or significance of Sacral promontory level?

S1.

Question 97 Which term or structure is described as: S1.

Sacral promontory level

Question 98 What is the key description or significance of End of dural sac?

S2 in the vertebral-level table.

Question 99 Which term or structure is described as: S2 in the vertebral-level table.

End of dural sac

Question 100 What is the key description or significance of Anterior longitudinal ligament?

Runs from skull to sacrum on anterior vertebral bodies/discs and limits extension.