RAD 1225 MIDTERM

What is the primary structural role of the vertebral column?

It forms the central axis of the skeleton, is centered in the midsagittal plane, and is located in the posterior trunk.

How many vertebrae are present in early life?

33 total vertebrae.

How many vertebrae are true (moveable) vertebrae?

24 (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar).

Which vertebrae are considered false (fixed)?

Sacral and coccygeal vertebrae.

What do the sacral vertebrae form after fusion?

The sacrum.

What do coccygeal vertebrae form after fusion?

The coccyx.

What the five regions of the vertebral column?

Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal.

What is a lordotic curve?

A curve convex anteriorly.

What is a kyphotic curve?

A curve concave anteriorly.

Which spinal regions are lordotic?

Cervical and Lumbar.

Which spinal regions are kyphotic?

Thoracic and Pelvic (sacral).

What is scoliosis?

Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.

What is kyphosis?

Increased kyphotic curvature of the thoracic spine.

What is the function of intervertebral discs?

Act as cushions between vertebrae.

What are the two parts of an intervertebral disc?

Annulus fibrosus (outer fibrocartilage) and nucleus pulposus (inner soft center).

What is HNP?

Herniated nucleus pulposus (“slipped disc”).

What are the two main parts of a typical vertebra?

Vertebral body (anterior) and vertebral arch (posterior).

What forms the vertebral canal?

Articulation of vertebral foramina.

What structures form the vertebral arch?

2 pedicles and 2 laminae.

What do pedicles form inferiorly?

Vertebral notches → form intervertebral foramina.

What is spina bifida?

Failure of the laminae to fuse.

What are zygapophyseal joints?

Articulations between superior and inferior articular processes (facet joints).

How many cervical vertebrae are there?

7 (C1–C7).

What are unique features of cervical vertebrae?

Transverse foramina and bifid spinous processes (except C7)

What is C1 called?

Atlas.

What is unique about C1?

No vertebral body, has anterior and posterior, and has lateral masses.

What is C2 called?

Axis.

What is the dens?

Conical process on C2 (odontoid).

What is C7 called?

Vertebra prominens.

The cervical spine has how many vertebrae?

7

Which spinal regions are lordotic?

Cervical & Lumbar

The dens is located on:

C2

In an AP Axial Cervical projection, the CR is angled:

15–20° cephalic

The open mouth projection demonstrates:

Atlas and Axis

In AP oblique projections, the foramina demonstrated are:

Farthest from IR

In PA oblique projections, the foramina demonstrated are:

Closest to IR

The CR for RAO/LAO cervical obliques is:

15–20° caudad

For a proper lateral cervical, you must include:

C1–C7 and T1

In hyperflexion lateral, the mandible appears:

Vertical

In hyperextension lateral, the mandible appears:

Horizontal

Fuch’s method is used to:

Visualize the dens within the foramen magnum

Spina bifida results from failure of:

Laminae to fuse

The AP “wagging jaw” method helps to:

Blur the mandible

In a lateral cervical spine, if the zygapophyseal joints are open, this indicates:

No rotation

Name the five divisions of the vertebral column.

1. Cervical (7)

2. Thoracic (12)

3. Lumbar (5)

4. Sacral (5 fused)

5. Coccygeal (4 fused)

What are normal spinal curvatures?

• Cervical – Lordotic

• Thoracic – Kyphotic

• Lumbar – Lordotic

• Sacral (pelvic) – Kyphotic

Define lordosis.

Abnormal increase in anterior convex curvature.

Define kyphosis.

Abnormal increase in posterior convex curvature (commonly thoracic).

Define scoliosis.

Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.

Two main parts of a typical vertebra?

Vertebral body (anterior) and vertebral arch (posterior).

What forms intervertebral foramina?

Superior and inferior vertebral notches.

What passes through intervertebral foramina?

Spinal nerves.

What are zygapophyseal joints?

Facet joints formed by superior and inferior articular processes.

How many cervical vertebrae?

7 (C1–C7)

Which cervical vertebrae are typical?

C3–C6

Three unique characteristics of typical cervical vertebrae?

• Bifid spinous process

• Articular pillar

• Three foramina (1 vertebral + 2 transverse)

What is the dens?

Odontoid process of C2.

What does LPO demonstrate in cervical spine?

Right (upside) intervertebral foramina.

AP Obliques show which foramina?

Farthest from IR.

PA Obliques show which foramina?

Closest to IR.

How many thoracic vertebrae?

12 (T1–T12)

Unique features of thoracic vertebrae?

• Costal facets (rib articulation)

• Demi-facets

• Long caudally pointed spinous processes

Which thoracic vertebrae do NOT articulate with transverse processes?

T11 and T12

Costovertebral joints involve which ribs?

Ribs 1–10

Thoracic intervertebral foramina are best seen in what projection?

Lateral

Thoracic zygapophyseal joints are best seen in what projection?

Oblique (70°)

What views are performed first in trauma C-spine?

• Cross-table lateral

• Swimmer’s lateral (if needed)

In trauma lateral, what is NOT allowed?

Head or neck manipulation.

Swimmer’s lateral demonstrates what region?

C4 to T3 (especially C7–T1 junction)

CR for Swimmer’s lateral?

C7–T1 (1 inch above jugular notch)

Optional CR angulation for swimmer’s?

3°–5° caudad if needed.

Breathing technique for swimmer’s?

Low mA, long exposure (3–4 sec), shallow breathing to blur lungs.

CR for AP T-spine?

Perpendicular to T7 (midway between jugular notch & xiphoid)

How to reduce kyphosis (supine AP T-spine)?

Flex hips and knees.

What vertebral levels must be demonstrated on AP T-spine?

C7 to L1

What indicates no rotation on AP T-spine?

Spinous processes centered in vertebral bodies.

Preferred side for lateral T-spine?

Left lateral (reduces heart magnification)

CR for lateral T-spine?

Perpendicular to T7.

If spine not horizontal, CR angle?

10°–15° cephalad.

What indicates no rotation on lateral T-spine?

Posterior ribs superimposed.

Degree of rotation for thoracic obliques?

70°

CR for thoracic obliques?

Perpendicular to T7.

What do thoracic obliques demonstrate?

Zygapophyseal joints.

Which thoracic vertebrae lack transverse costal facets?

T11–T12

In cervical AP obliques, the CR is angled:

15–20° cephalic

Thoracic zygapophyseal joints are best visualized in:

Oblique

CR for AP thoracic spine enters at:

T7

To reduce thoracic kyphosis on AP supine:

Flex hips and knees

Which projection best demonstrates thoracic intervertebral foramina?

Lateral

For swimmer’s lateral, the humeral heads should be:

Separated

In trauma cervical spine imaging, the first projection is:

Cross-table lateral

Thoracic obliques require how much rotation?

70°

Which projection demonstrates C7–T1 junction best?

Swimmer’s

Posterior ribs superimposed indicates:

True lateral

AP thoracic spine must demonstrate:

C7–L1

Which breathing instruction for lateral T-spine?

Shallow breathing technique

Which thoracic structures articulate with ribs?

Costal facets

Typical cervical vertebrae have how many foramina?

Three

How many vertebrae are in each spinal region?

Cervical (7), Thoracic (12), Lumbar (5), Sacrum (5 fused), Coccyx (3–5 fused).

Which vertebrae remain separate throughout life?

The first 24 vertebrae (cervical, thoracic, lumbar).