Spine Basic 03122021

Which among the following statements about the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) and posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) is TRUE?

• BOTH begin at C1 and extend to the sacrum

• BOTH have a uniform width throughout the entire spinal column

• PLL is bowstrung across the concavity of the dorsum of the vertebral body

• ALL is not attached to the anterior lip at the end of each vertebral body

1. In a study placing transducers into the 3^rd lumbar disc, pressure variations were recorded and noted increases in disc pressure from 100 kg in an erect standing position to 150 kg with the trunk bent forward to 220 kg when a 70 kg man lifted a 50 kg weight. What happened when the equivalent maneuvers were done with the subject in a sitting position?

• No significant difference in pressure

• A significant decrease in pressure

• Same pressure as standing but decreased with trunk forward bending

• Intradiscal pressure was significantly increased with all the maneuvers

Who among the following patients with low back pain requires immediate focused diagnostics?

• 25 year old male call-center employee, otherwise healthy

• 30 year old female ballet dancer after a 6-hour continuous rehearsal

• 18 year old male student spent the whole weekend making a report on his laptop

• 65 year old female lifted a pail of water

Which among the following MRI sequences has the highest sensitivity for musculoskeletal pathology like vertebral metastases and fractures?

• T1 weighted

• T2 weighted

• STIR

• Fat-saturated FSE

The psoas muscle has the largest cross section at the lower levels of the lumbar spine. Its main function according to electromyographic studies is:

• Laterally flex the lumbar spine

• Stabilize shearing forces at L5-1

• Hip flexion

• all of the above