Cervical and Thoracic Spine quizzes and unit test
The soft inner portion of the intervertebral disk is called the:
Nucleus Pulposus
Which aspect of the intervertebral disk is composed of semigelatinous material?
Nucleus pulposus
The bony structures connected directly to the vertebral body are the:
Pedicles
The LPO position of the thoracic spine best demonstrates which zygapophyseal joints?
Right
The RAO position of the thoracic spine best demonstrates which zygapophyseal joints?
Right
The superior vertebral notch of one vertebrae and the inferior vertebral notch of the vertebrae above it form the:
intervertebral foraman
T2-3 disk space is found at the level of the:
jugular notch
The thyroid cartilage generally corresponds to the level of:
level of C4-C6
A patient enters the ER due to a motor vehicle accident. The patient is on a backboard and wearing a cervical collar. The technologist is concerned about the artifacts that the collar will project on the spine during the horizontal-beal lateral projection. What should he/she do in this situation for the first cervical spine projection taken? 1 Leave the cervical collar on during the exposure. 2 Remove the cervical collar, but be careful not to move the patient's head. 3 Ask the patient to remove the collar herself (for liability reasons). 4 Ask the ER physician to remove the collar and to hold the patient's head while the technologist is positioning for this projection.
1
A radiograph of an AP thoracic spine projection reveals that the upper thoracic spine is overexposed. The lower vertebrae have acceptable density and contrast. Which of the following modifications will improve the visiblity of the upper thoracic spine? 1 Place the upper spine under the anode side of the tube. 2 Place the upper spine under the cathode side of the tube. 3 Increase the kVp to decrease the contrast of the upper spine. 4 Use a breathing technique.
1
The LPO position for Cervical spine best demonstrates the: 1 Upside Intervertebral Foramina 2 Upside Zygoapophyseal joints 3 Downside Intervertebral Foramina 4 Downside Zygoapophyseal joints
1
The lateral cervical spine position best demonstrates the _________ radiographically. 1 Zygapophyseal joints 2 Intervertebral foramen
1
Which of the following curves is classified as being compensatory? 1 Cervical 2 Thoracic 3 Sacral 4 None of the above
1
Which of the following statements is true for a typical adult vertebra? 1 The transverse processes extend laterally from the junction of the pedicles and laminae. 2 The transverse processes are present only on thoracic vertebrae containing rib connections. 3 The spinous process extends posteriorly from the body of the vertebrae. 4 All of the above are true.
1
The Lateral projection of the Thoracic (dorsal) spine best demonstrates which of the following? 1. Intervertebral Joint spaces 2. Zygapophyseal Joints 3. Intervertebral Foramina 1 only 1 and 2 1 and 3 1, 2 and 3
1 and 3
How much CR angulation is required for the AP Axial projection for the cervical spine?
15 - 20 degrees cephalad
A radiograph of an AP open-mouth projection reveals that the base of the skull is superimposed over the dens. What positioning error led to this radiographic outcome? 1 Excessive flexion of the skull. 2 Excessive extension of the skull. 3 Excessive CR angulation 4 Rotation of the skull
2
The oblique cervical spine positions best demonstrate the: 1 Zygapophyseal joints 2 Intervertebral Foramina
2
Which of the following factors does not apply to a lateral projection of the cervical spine? 1 Use a 72" (182cm) SID 2 Suspend respiration upon full inspiration 3 Perform a horizontal-beam lateral if trauma is suspected 4 Center the CR to the thyroid cartilage
2
Which of the following positions will best demonstrate the left zygapophyseal joints of the thoracic spine? 1 LPO 2 RPO 3 RAO 4 Lateral
2
Which of the following projections will project the dens within the shadow of the foramen magnum? 1 AP open-mouth 2 Fuch method 3 Twining method 4 None of the above
2
Which of the following statements are true? 1 All adult vertebrae are separated by intervertebral disks. 2 All thoracic vertebrae have at least one facet for rib articulation. 3 The intervertebral disks are tightly bound to the vertebral bodies to prevent movement within the vertebral column. 4 All of the above are true.
2
The zygapophyseal joints for the typical cervical vertebra lie at an angle of _____ in relation to the midsagittal plane.
90 degrees
A patient comes to the radiology department for a cervical spine series. The study is ordered for non-traumatic reasons. The AP open-mouth projection reveals that the base of the skull and upper incisors are superimposed, but they are obscurring the upper portion of the dens. On the repeat exposure, what should the technologist do to demonstrate the entire dens? 1 Increase the flexion of the skull 2 Increase the extension of the skull 3 Perform the Fuch or Judd method 4 Perform the AP chewing method
3
A radiograph of an RAO cervical spine reveals that the lower intervertebral foramina are not open. The upper vertebral foramina are well visualized. What positioning error may have lead to this radiographic outcome? 1 Excessive CR angulation 2 Insufficient CR angulation 3 Insufficient obliquity of the body 4 Incorrect CR placement
3
How much obliquity of the body is required for an LAO projection of the thoracic spine (from the plane of the table)? 1 20 degrees 2 45 degrees 3 70 degrees 4 90 degrees
3
The 70 - 75 degree oblique of the thoracic spine best demonstrates which of the following? 1 Intervertebral Disk Spaces 2 Intervertebral Foramina 3 Zygapophyseal Joints 4 Vertebral Bodies
3
The RAO position for Cervical spine best demonstrates the: 1 Upside Intervertebral Foramina 2 Upside Zygoapophyseal joints 3 Downside Intervertebral Foramina 4 Downside Zygoapophyseal joints
3
When radiographing the AP thoracic spine, which of the following will best reduce the thoracic curvature? 1 Oblique 2 lateral 3 Supine, legs and hips flexed 4 Supine, legs and hips extended
3
Which factor is most important to visually open up the intervertebral joint spaces for a lateral thoracic spine projection? 1 Use sufficiently high kVp 2 Collimate the spine region to reduce scatter 3 Keep the vertebral column parallel to the table top 4 Angle the CR 5-10 degrees caudad
3
Which of the following factors will enhance the visibility of the vertebral bodies during a lateral projection of the thoracic spine? 1 Use a high kVp 2 Increase the SID 3 Use a breathing technique 4 Flex the spine
3
Which of the following positions will best demonstrate the zygapophyseal joints of the cervical spine? 1 AP axial 2 Posterior obliques 3 Lateral 4 Anterior obliques
3
Which of the following thoracic vertebra(e) possess no facets for costotransverse joints? 1 T1 2 T10-12 3 T11-12 4 None of the above
3
A lateral projection of the thoracic spine reveals that the upper aspect, which is a primary area of interest on this patient, is obscured by the patient's shoulders. Which of the following changes will best demonstrate this region of the spine? 1 Use a wedge filter and repeat the exposure with increased kVp. 2 Angle the CR 10-15 degrees cephalad. 3 Perform the projection with the patient erect and holding weights during the exposure. 4 Perform a lateral using the Twining method.
4
A patient comes to the radiology department for a thoracic spine series. The patient has a history of arthritis of the spine. The radiologist requests additional projections be taken to demonstrate the zygapophyseal joints. What positions/projections would be ideal to demonstrate these structures? 1 Pillar view of the area of interest 2 Swimmer's lateral projection 3 spot AP and lateral projections of the area of interest 4 RPO and LPO positions
4
A radiograph of a lateral thoracic spine reveals that there is excessive density along the posterior aspect of the spine. Even with good collimation, the scatter radiation reaching the image receptor obscures the spinous processess. What can the technologist to do improve the visibility of the posterior elements of the spine? 1 Use higher speed screens and film 2 Increase the kVp and lower the mAs 3 Use a higher ratio grid 4 Place a lead blocker on the table top posterior to the patient
4
A radiograph of an AP axial projection of the cervical spine reveals that the intervertebral joints are not open. The following factors were used for this projection: 5 degree cephalad angle, 40" (100cm) SID, Grid, slight extension of the skull, and the CR was centered to the thyroid cartilage. Which alteration should be made for the repeat exposure? 1 Keep the CR perpendicular to the IR 2 Increase the SID to 72" (180 cm) 3 Center the CR to the gonion 4 Increase the CR angulation
4
For the oblique thoracic spine position, anterior obliques are recommended because of: 1 Significantly less thyroid dose 2 Less gonad dose 3 Ease for the patient 4 Significantly less breast dose
4
Which of the following features makes the cervical vertebra unique as compared with other vertebrae of the spine? 1 Transverse foramina and double (bifid) tips on the spinous processes. 2 Overlapping vertebral bodies. 3 Presence of zygapophyseal joints 4 All of the above
4
Which of the following is not a correct criteria for the AP axial Cervical spine projection? 1 C3 to T2/T3 vertebral bodies should be visible. 2 The spinous processes are to be equal distances from the lateral borders of the vertebral bodies. 3 Center of the collimation field is at C4. 4 All of the above are correct criteria.
4
Which of the following positions will demonstrate the left intervertebral foramina of the cervical spine? 1 RAO 2 LPO 3 Lateral 4 LAO
4
There are how many vertebrae in the cervical spine?
7
The zygapophyseal joints for the thoracic spine lie at an angle of _____ in relation to the midsagittal plane.
70 - 75 degrees
Which position/projection of the cervical spine will best demonstrate the zygapophyseal joint space between C1 and C2?
AP Open-Mouth
Kyphosis is defined as:
Abnormal thoracic curvature with increased convexity.
Along with the upper incisors, what other bony landmark must be aligned for the AP open-mouth projection?
Base of Skull
Where is the articular pillar located on a cervical vertebra?
Between the superior and inferior articular processes.
The gonion corresponds to the level of:
C3
The gonion or angle of the mandible corresponds to which cervical vertebrae?
C3
True or False: Cervical vertebrae number 2 is also called the "Atlas."
False
True or False: The posterior cervical oblique projections demonstrate the intervertebral foramina and pedicles on the side closest to the image receptor.
False
True or False: A RPO position of the cervical spine requires a 45 degree oblique of the body with a 15-20 degree caudad angle.
False (15 degree cephalad angle)
True or False: The SID should be 60"-72" for anterior/posterior oblique and lateral positions of the C-spine.
False (40-72)
True or False: The anterior oblique thoracic spine demonstrates the upside zygapophyseal joints.
False (downside)
The oblique cervical spine positions best demonstrate the:
Intervertebral foramina
Why are the anterior obliques (RAO/LAO) preferred over the posterior obliques of the cervical spine?
Less thryoid and breast dose for the patient
The most posterior aspect of a typical vertebrae is the
Spinous process
Why is the chin extended for a lateral projection of the cervical spine?
To prevent superimposition of the mandible upon the spine.
True or False: Cervical vertebrae number 1 is also called the "Atlas."
True
True or False: The SID should be a minimum of 40" for the AP and Open Mouth positions of the C-spine.
True
The superior articular process of one vertebrae and the inferior articular process of the vertebrae above it form the:
Zygapophyseal Joint
The joints between articular processes of vertebra are termed:
Zygapophyseal joints
