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Perfecting the L5-S1 Spot Projection Radiol Technol November/December 2016 88:216-217
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Menu Most radiography of the spine may be accomplished successfully in either the upright or the recumbent position. In medical practices and hospitals, radiography of the spine is done in both the recumbent and upright positions. In chiropractic practices, spine radiography is almost always done in the upright position. This chapter provides instruction and illustration for both methods. The spine (Fig. 15-1) is the central portion of the skeletal system. It provides the supporting framework for the body. It also surrounds and protects the spinal cord. The spine is called the vertebral column because it is made up of many irregularly shaped bones known as vertebrae. The spine is divided into five regions: cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, sacrum, and coccyx. The vertebrae are named according to spinal region and are numbered
from the top down. For example, the third vertebra from the top of the thoracic region is simply called the third thoracic vertebra, abbreviated T3. When viewed from the front, the normal spinal column is relatively straight. When seen from the side, however, the spine has four curves (Fig. 15-2). It arches anteriorly and posteriorly to provide a springlike flexibility that absorbs shock as we walk and run. A curvature that is convex (bowing outward)
anteriorly is called a lordotic curve, or lordosis. One that is convex posteriorly is called a kyphotic curve, or kyphosis. An abnormal lateral curvature is called scoliosis and results from rotation of a lordotic and/or kyphotic curve (Fig. 15-3). A typical vertebra is illustrated in Fig. 15-4. The blocklike
anterior portion is called the body. It consists of cancellous bone with a thin cortex. Posterior to the body is a ring of bone called the vertebral arch. It is formed by the pedicles, which attach to the body on either side, and by the laminae posteriorly. The hole in the ring is called the vertebral foramen. It is the passage for the spinal cord. The concave superior and inferior
surfaces of the pedicles are called vertebral notches. The spaces formed by joining with the vertebral notches above and below are the intervertebral foramina, which allow passage of spinal nerves and blood vessels. Two projections, extending laterally from the junction of the pedicles and lamina, are called the transverse processes. The spinous process projects posteriorly and inferiorly from the junction of the lamina. Four articular processes extend superiorly and
inferiorly from the junction of the pedicles and lamina. The articular surfaces of these processes are called facets. They articulate with facets on the articular processes of the vertebrae above and below, forming the zygapophyseal joints. The zygapophyseal joints are diarthrodial joints of the gliding type. Fig. 15-5 illustrates typical joints of the spine. The
vertebrae are cushioned anteriorly, between the bodies, by pads of fibrocartilage called intervertebral disks (Fig. 15-6). These disks have a tough outer covering, the annulus fibrosus, and a soft, pulpy center called the nucleus pulposus. The cervical spine is the most superior region of the vertebral column. It supports the head and the structures
of the neck. The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae and has a lordotic curve. The first two cervical vertebrae differ in form from the others to accommodate the support and rotation of the skull. The first cervical vertebra (C1) is called the atlas (Fig. 15-7). It is a ringlike structure with no vertebral body and a very short spinous process called the posterior tubercle. The atlas consists of two lateral masses connected by an anterior
arch and a posterior arch. Each lateral mass has superior and inferior articular processes. The superior articular processes articulate with the base of the skull, and the inferior ones form joints with similar processes on the superior aspect of the second cervical vertebra (C2). The transverse processes project laterally and slightly downward from the lateral masses. On the anterior surface of the anterior arch is a rounded process called
the anterior tubercle. The second cervical vertebra (C2) is called the axis (Fig. 15-8). It is the vertebra on which the atlas rotates, allowing the head to turn from side to side. Superior to the body of the axis is a toothlike projection called the dens, or odontoid process. It projects into the anterior portion of the ring of the atlas and acts as a pivot between the two vertebrae. The third (C3) through sixth (C6) cervical vertebrae are termed the typical cervical vertebrae (Fig. 15-9). The articular processes extend superiorly and inferiorly from a point posterior to the transverse process at the junction of the pedicle and the lamina. Together the articular processes form a column of bone called the articular pillar. The cervical spinous processes are bifid, that is, they are split into two posterior projections, forming a shape somewhat
like a fish tail. The seventh cervical vertebra (C7), termed the vertebra prominens, has a spinous process that is larger than the others and is easily palpable at the base of the neck. It is a convenient reference point for the location of other vertebrae. With the exception of the C1-C2 articulation, the cervical zygapophyseal joints slope posteriorly and lie in the sagittal plane, so they are best seen from the lateral aspect (Fig. 15-10). The C1-C2
articulations differ in position and direction and are best seen in the anteroposterior (AP) projection. The intervertebral foramina of the cervical spine are oriented anteriorly at an angle of 45 degrees to the sagittal plane. These foramina are also oriented inferiorly at an angle of 15 degrees to the horizontal plane (Fig. 15-11). Nerves branching off the spinal cord exit the vertebral column through these foramina to all parts of the body. Each cervical transverse process (including those of C1 and C2) features a hole called the transverse foramen (see Fig. 15-9). The transverse foramina form passages on each side for the vertebral artery and vein. At birth, the sacrum consists of five sacral vertebrae. In the adult, they are fused into a solid bony structure (Fig.
15-19). The sacrum articulates with the ilia of the pelvis on either side, forming the sacroiliac joints. Its broad, flat superior surface is called the sacral base. The lateral portions of the first sacral segment are winglike structures called the alae. The four pairs of sacral foramina are passages for nerves. The coccyx, the most inferior portion of the spine, is approximately
the size of the fifth finger. In lay terms, it is called the tailbone. The coccyx usually consists of four small vertebral segments, but it is not unusual for there to be three or five segments. The coccygeal segments tend to fuse in the adult. Two small bony projections extend superiorly from the posterior aspect on each side of the first coccygeal segment. These are called the coccygeal cornua (singular cornu, which means “horn”). They are joined to similar
projections from the posterior inferior aspect of the sacrum, called the sacral cornua. Together the sacrum and coccyx form a kyphotic curve. This curvature is more pronounced in females than in males. The sacral base slopes downward anteriorly, and the degree of slope is called the sacral base angle. This angle is greatest in females. It is greater when standing than when recumbent and is least when supine with the knees flexed. Average sacral
base angles for males and females are listed in Table 15-1. TABLE 15-1
Premium Wordpress Themes by UFO Themes WordPress theme by UFO themes What is visualized on a lateral lumbar spine?On the lateral projection of the lumbar spine, the vertebral bodies are seen in profile and the superior and inferior end plates are well demonstrated. Fractures of spinous processes are adequately evaluated on this projection, as are abnormalities involving the intervertebral disc spaces, including L5-S1.
What structure is best visualized on a lumbar oblique projection?The lumbar spine oblique view is used to visualize the articular facets and pars interarticularis of the lumbar spine.
What are the lateral projections of the vertebrae called?Pedicles. Each vertebra has two cylinder-shaped projections (pedicles) of hard bone that stick out from the back part of the vertebral body, providing side protection for the spinal cord and nerves. The pedicles also serve as a bridge, joining the front and back parts of the vertebra.
What is demonstrated on a lateral cervical spine?Lateral projection of the cervical spine
This projection suffices to demonstrate most traumatic conditions of the cervical spine, including injuries involving the anterior and posterior arches of C-l; the odontoid process, which is seen in profile; and the anterior atlantal-dens interval.
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What specific spine anatomy is demonstrated on a lateral projection of the lumbar spine?
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