How many vertebrae make up the vertebral column?
Bonus: How many at each level?
33 (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, lumbar 5 fused, coccyx 4 fused)
Injury to this artery, which can originate from the vertebral (25%) or posterior inferior cerebellar (75%) arteries, causes loss of proprioception and light touch
posterior spinal artery
This ligament helps prevent hyperextension of the vertebral column
Anterior longitudinal ligament
This nerve segment innervates the deep muscles of the back and connective tissue/skin of the back
Dorsal ramus
The cervical plexus originates from what spinal nerves (levels) ?
C1-C4
This vertebra contains no body or spinous process
Atlas
A patient presents with paraplegia and urinary incontinence shortly after angiogram of the aorta. which artery was likely affected?
artery of adamkiewicz
This ligament connects to adjacent vertebral arches and its thickening can cause spinal stenosis
Ligamentum flavum
How many spinal nerves exit the spinal cord in the cervical region
An athlete has back pain 1 inch lateral to the spinous process, worse with extension and rotation. what diagnosis do you suspect?
facet syndrome
Through what structure do the vertebral arteries travel in the cervical spine?
foramen transversarium (transverse foramen)
This artery originates as two separate arteries from the vertebral arteries near the medulla oblongata and eventually converges near the foramen magnum
anterior spinal artery
Along with the PLL, these ligaments, which are thicker in the lumbar region, limit flexion of the spine
Interspinous ligaments
L4-L5 facet receives innervation from the medial branches of what levels?
L3, L4
What is the most common location of disc herniation? (not spinal level, but direction of herniation)
Posterolateral/paramedian
A fracture of this structure can lead to spondylolisthesis
pars interarticularis
These vessels drain the vertebral body venous sinuses into an extensive network of venous plexuses that surround the spinal cord
basivertebral veins
This ligament is continuous with the supraspinal ligament and supports the weight of the head
Nuchal ligament
C5-C6 facet receives innervation from the medial branches of what levels?
C5, C6
The spinal cord is anchored within the vertebral canal by this structure
Filum terminale
What is the most common vertebral fracture in the thoraco-lumbar region?
Chance fracture
This syndrome is characterized by spinal necrosis caused by AVMs, which leads to paralysis, numbness and incontinence
foix-alajouanine syndrome or subacute ascending necrotizing myelitis
These ligaments limit lateral rotation of the spine
Intertransverse ligaments
This nerve connects the spinal nerve with adjacent sympathetic trunk ganglia
rami communicantes
According to the denis three-column model, a fracture in this column is inherently unstable
Middle column