Bones and Ligaments
The normal thoracic kyphosis has an apex at this vertebral level, with a range of 20–50°
What is T7?
The spinal cord typically ends at this vertebral level, forming the conus medullaris, with the filum terminale continuing down to the coccyx.
What is L1-L2
What region of the spine is called the "Critical vascular zone"
What is the T4-T9 Region
In children, back pain should be considered this diagnosis until proven otherwise.
What is spondylolisthesis?
In posterior cervical spine exposure, placing the patient in this position reduces venous bleeding.
What is Reverse Trendelenburg (head up)?
The motion segment (functional spinal unit) consists of these two components.
What are two adjacent vertebrae and their connecting ligamentous tissues?
There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves. Name the breakdown by region.
What are 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal?
Which arteries unite to form the anterior spinal artery, and what fraction of the spinal cord does it supply?
What is the paired vertebral arteries and anterior 2/3rds of the spinal cord
The most common level for disc herniation is this.
What is L4–L5?
This is the most common anterior cervical approach used from C3–C7.
What is the Smith–Robinson approach?
This ligament is a dense band along the anterior vertebral bodies, running from C2 to the sacrum
What is the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL)?
This incomplete spinal cord syndrome is most common, occurs with hyperextension in an arthritic spine, and produces greater weakness in the upper extremities than the lower extremities.
What is Central Cord Syndrome?
This artery, also called the arteria radicularis magna, usually arises on the left between T9–L2 and supplies the anterior spinal artery.
What is the Artery of Adamkiewicz?
This ligament pathology is characterized by abnormal calcification and can cause compressive myelopathy, especially in the cervical spine.
What is ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL)?
In the posterior C1–C2 approach, this artery is at risk as it passes behind the atlanto-occipital joint.
What is the vertebral artery?
What is the major stabiliser of the atlantoaxial joint?
Transverse ligament
These tracts are most peripheral in the posterior spinal cord, making them especially vulnerable to injury in large compressive lesions.
What are the sacral sensory fibers (posterior column) and lateral corticospinal tracts?
The vertebral artery passes through these foramina from C6 to C1 before entering the skull.
What are the transverse foramina of C6–C1?
This degenerative inflammatory disease of the spine is associated with pannus formation and potential atlantoaxial instability.
What is rheumatoid arthritis of the spine?
The thoracic spine watershed zone (T4–T9) is particularly vulnerable during these surgical approaches.
What are transthoracic and posterolateral thoracic approaches?
In the Denis three-column theory, the middle column includes these structures.
What are the posterior 1/3 of the vertebral body, the posterior 1/3 of the annulus fibrosus, and the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL)?
Injury to the anterior spinal artery may cause this clinical syndrome, with motor and pain/temperature loss but preserved proprioception.
What is anterior spinal artery syndrome?
In the anterior lumbar approach to L4–5, these vessels must be mobilized to the right.
What are the aorta, inferior vena cava, and left common iliac vessels?