Anatomy clinical correlates: Bones, joints and muscles of the back
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Anatomy clinical correlates: Bones, joints and muscles of the back
Prerequisite basic sciences
Prerequisite basic sciences
Anatomy clinical correlates: Anterior and posterior abdominal wall
Anatomy clinical correlates: Inguinal region
Anatomy clinical correlates: Peritoneum and diaphragm
Anatomy clinical correlates: Viscera of the gastrointestinal tract
Anatomy clinical correlates: Other abdominal organs
Appendicitis: Pathology review
Complications during pregnancy: Pathology review
Diverticular disease: Pathology review
Gallbladder disorders: Pathology review
GERD, peptic ulcers, gastritis, and stomach cancer: Pathology review
Inflammatory bowel disease: Pathology review
Mood disorders: Pathology review
Pancreatitis: Pathology review
Anatomy clinical correlates: Female pelvis and perineum
Cervical cancer: Pathology review
Complications during pregnancy: Pathology review
Uterine disorders: Pathology review
Anatomy clinical correlates: Heart
Anatomy clinical correlates: Mediastinum
Anatomy clinical correlates: Pleura and lungs
Anatomy clinical correlates: Thoracic wall
Aortic dissections and aneurysms: Pathology review
Coronary artery disease: Pathology review
Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: Pathology review
GERD, peptic ulcers, gastritis, and stomach cancer: Pathology review
Pleural effusion, pneumothorax, hemothorax and atelectasis: Pathology review
ECG cardiac infarction and ischemia
Pigmentation skin disorders: Pathology review
Skin cancer: Pathology review
Papulosquamous and inflammatory skin disorders: Pathology review
Anatomy clinical correlates: Pleura and lungs
Anatomy clinical correlates: Thoracic wall
GERD, peptic ulcers, gastritis, and stomach cancer: Pathology review
Lung cancer and mesothelioma: Pathology review
Nasal, oral and pharyngeal diseases: Pathology review
Obstructive lung diseases: Pathology review
Pneumonia: Pathology review
Tuberculosis: Pathology review
Chest X-ray interpretation: Clinical sciences
Amnesia, dissociative disorders and delirium: Pathology review
Cerebral vascular disease: Pathology review
Dementia: Pathology review
Electrolyte disturbances: Pathology review
Mood disorders: Pathology review
Hypothyroidism: Pathology review
Mood disorders: Pathology review
Anatomy clinical correlates: Facial (CN VII) and vestibulocochlear (CN VIII) nerves
Cardiomyopathies: Pathology review
Cerebral vascular disease: Pathology review
Heart blocks: Pathology review
Supraventricular arrhythmias: Pathology review
Valvular heart disease: Pathology review
Ventricular arrhythmias: Pathology review
Vertigo: Pathology review
ECG axis
ECG cardiac hypertrophy and enlargement
ECG intervals
ECG normal sinus rhythm
ECG QRS transition
ECG rate and rhythm
Kidney stones: Pathology review
Sexually transmitted infections: Vaginitis and cervicitis: Pathology review
Sexually transmitted infections: Warts and ulcers: Pathology review
Urinary tract infections: Pathology review
Central nervous system infections: Pathology review
Nasal, oral and pharyngeal diseases: Pathology review
Pneumonia: Pathology review
Shock: Pathology review
Urinary tract infections: Pathology review
Anatomy clinical correlates: Anterior blood supply to the brain
Anatomy clinical correlates: Temporal regions, oral cavity and nose
Central nervous system infections: Pathology review
Cerebral vascular disease: Pathology review
Headaches: Pathology review
Traumatic brain injury: Pathology review
Vasculitis: Pathology review
Anatomy clinical correlates: Arm, elbow and forearm
Anatomy clinical correlates: Axilla
Anatomy clinical correlates: Bones, fascia and muscles of the neck
Anatomy clinical correlates: Bones, joints and muscles of the back
Anatomy clinical correlates: Clavicle and shoulder
Anatomy clinical correlates: Foot
Anatomy clinical correlates: Hip, gluteal region and thigh
Anatomy clinical correlates: Knee
Anatomy clinical correlates: Leg and ankle
Anatomy clinical correlates: Median, ulnar and radial nerves
Anatomy clinical correlates: Wrist and hand
Seronegative and septic arthritis: Pathology review
Apnea, hypoventilation and pulmonary hypertension: Pathology review
Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: Pathology review
Heart failure: Pathology review
Nephrotic syndromes: Pathology review
Renal failure: Pathology review
Anatomy clinical correlates: Anterior and posterior abdominal wall
Anatomy clinical correlates: Bones, joints and muscles of the back
Anatomy clinical correlates: Vertebral canal
Aortic dissections and aneurysms: Pathology review
Back pain: Pathology review
Anatomy clinical correlates: Inguinal region
Anatomy clinical correlates: Male pelvis and perineum
Penile conditions: Pathology review
Prostate disorders and cancer: Pathology review
Testicular and scrotal conditions: Pathology review
Testicular tumors: Pathology review
Anatomy clinical correlates: Pleura and lungs
Coronary artery disease: Pathology review
Obstructive lung diseases: Pathology review
Pleural effusion, pneumothorax, hemothorax and atelectasis: Pathology review
Bronchodilators: Beta 2-agonists and muscarinic antagonists
Bronchodilators: Leukotriene antagonists and methylxanthines
Pulmonary corticosteroids and mast cell inhibitors
Anatomy clinical correlates: Ear
Anatomy clinical correlates: Temporal regions, oral cavity and nose
Nasal, oral and pharyngeal diseases: Pathology review
Sexually transmitted infections: Vaginitis and cervicitis: Pathology review
Prerequisite basic sciences
Anxiety disorders, phobias and stress-related disorders: Pathology Review
Atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis: Pathology review
Back pain: Pathology review
Bone disorders: Pathology review
Coronary artery disease: Pathology review
Diabetes mellitus: Pathology review
Drug misuse, intoxication and withdrawal: Alcohol: Pathology review
Drug misuse, intoxication and withdrawal: Hallucinogens: Pathology review
Drug misuse, intoxication and withdrawal: Other depressants: Pathology review
Drug misuse, intoxication and withdrawal: Stimulants: Pathology review
Dyslipidemias: Pathology review
Heart failure: Pathology review
Hypertension: Pathology review
Mood disorders: Pathology review
Obstructive lung diseases: Pathology review
Peripheral artery disease: Pathology review
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: Pathology review
Assessments
Anatomy clinical correlates: Bones, joints and muscles of the back
USMLE® Step 1 questions
0 / 8 complete
USMLE® Step 2 questions
0 / 9 complete
Questions
USMLE® Step 1 style questions USMLE
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USMLE® Step 2 style questions USMLE
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Image reproduced from Radiopedia
Transcript
The vertebral column is a very complex boney structure with numerous articulating joints and multiple muscles that support it and the vertebral canal. As with any part of our body, all of these structures are prone to injury. If you aren’t familiar yet with what type of injuries, don’t worry, we got your back!
Let’s start with fractures involving the C1 vertebra, or atlas. These fractures are also called Jefferson or burst fractures. As you might remember, C1 is a ring shaped bone that has paired wedge shaped lateral masses connected by thin anterior and posterior arches and a transverse ligament. The C1 vertebra sustains the weight of the cranium, kind of like how the God Atlas of Greek mythology bore the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Now, because the taller side of the lateral mass is directed laterally, when there are vertical forces that compress the lateral masses between the occipital condyles above, and the C2 or axis below, this compressive force drives the two lateral masses of the C1 vertebrae apart, which can lead to fractures in one or both of the anterior or posterior arches. A classic example of this is striking the bottom of the pool with the top of your head when diving. If the force is really strong, it could even rupture the transverse ligament.
The Jefferson fracture doesn’t necessarily lead to spinal cord injury. This is because the diameter of the vertebral ring actually increases. However, spinal cord injury could happen if the transverse ligament ruptures as well, potentially resulting in the dens of the C2 vertebra, or the odontoid process, compressing on the spinal cord which we will get to shortly.
On a CT-scan, a C1 fracture looks something like this. You can see where the bone has been broken and how the lateral mass shifts laterally. Moving on, the C2 vertebra, or the axis, can also be fractured. C2 is called the axis because it has a bony protrusion called the dens of the axis that fits within the atlas ring, so this articulation allows rotation of the neck from side to side, like shaking your head no.
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