Lumbar Spine Anatomy

5

How many lumbar vertebrae does the adult skeleton contain?

Lumbar Vertebrae

What is considered the largest individual vertebrae, the strongest in the vertebral column, supports most of your body weight, and is the most common place for herniated disks?

Lateral 90°

In what position and degree of the lumbar spine is the intervertebral foramen visualized?

Oblique LPO/RPO 45° (Side down closest to the IR)

In what positions and degree of the lumbar spine is the zygapophyseal joints visualized?

30°-50°

How many degrees is the zygapophyseal joints angled from the midsagittal plane?

Upper or proximal lumbar vertebrae

What portion of the lumbar vertebrae is closest to a 50° angle?

Lower or distal lumbar vertebrae

What portion of the lumbar vertebrae is closest to a 30° angle?

They're fairly small

What is unique about the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae?

They're bulky and blunt

What is unique about the spinous processes of the lumbar vertebrae?

Scotty dog

What is only seen in the 45° oblique lumbar spine?

Pedicle

What is the eye of the scotty dog and should be right down the middle in a good 45° oblique lumbar radiograpgh?

Transverse process

What is the nose of the scotty dog?

Pars Interarticularis

What is the neck of the scotty dog?

Inferior Articular Process

What is the foot of the scotty dog?

Superior Articular Process

What is the ear of the scotty dog?

Lamina

What is the body of the scotty dog?

Synovial and diarthrodial

What is the classification and mobility type for zygapophyseal joints?

Cartliginous and amphiarthrodial

What is the classification and mobility type for intervertebral joints?

L2-L3

What is the level of the lower costal margin or the curve of the ribs?

L4-L5

What is the level of the iliac crest?

S1-S2

What is the level of the ASIS?

T9-T10

What is the level of the xiphoid tip?