Vertebral column

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Revision as of 21:28, December 4, 2020 by Spoonface (talk | contribs) (Moved from brain section)

The vertebral column, also known as the backbone or spine, is part of the axial skeleton. The vertebral column is the defining characteristic of a vertebrate in which the notochord (a flexible rod of uniform composition) found in all chordates has been replaced by a segmented series of bone: vertebrae separated by intervertebral discs.[1] The vertebral column houses the spinal canal, a cavity that encloses and protects the spinal cord.

Spinal pathologies[edit | edit source]

Chiari I malformation[edit | edit source]

Craniocervical instability[edit | edit source]

Atlantoaxial instability[edit | edit source]

Cervical stenosis[edit | edit source]

Tethered cord syndrome[edit | edit source]

Tarlov cysts[edit | edit source]

Perineural cysts or Tarlov cysts (TCs) are nerve root dilations resulting from pathologically increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

A study of 197 ME/CFS patients found that the prevalence of Tarlov cysts was three times higher in ME/CFS patients than the general population, at 39%.[1]

Tarlov cyst patients often complain about widespread pain and fatigue.

The study's authors conclude:

This observation supports the hypothesis that STCs, FM, and CFS may share the same pathophysiological mechanism, i.e., moderately increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure, causing irritation of neurons and axons in dorsal root ganglia

Association with syndromes[edit | edit source]

ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

Craniocervical instability

Cervical stenosis

Tarlov cysts

Fibromyalgia[edit | edit source]

Chiari malformation

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome[edit | edit source]

Several pathologies of the spine have been associated with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. (Link to and reference Henderson et al)

Related[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Hulens, Mieke; Bruyninckx, Frans; Dankaerts, Wim; Rasschaert, Ricky; De Mulder, Peter; Stalmans, Ingeborg; Vansant, Greet; Bervoets, Chris (December 1, 2020). "High Prevalence of Perineural Cysts in Patients with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". Pain Medicine: pnaa410. doi:10.1093/pm/pnaa410. ISSN 1526-2375.