0724 - Anatomy of the Vertebral Column Flashcards
Describe general features of the vertebral column (function, structural features, components, regions, movements, normal curvatures)
Functions - support (head, body), protect (spinal cord)
Features - Rigidity (bones), plasticity (joints and discs)
Components - Vertebrae, connective tissue (ligaments)
Regions - Cervical (7), Thoracic (12), lumbar (5), Sacral (5 to 1), Coccygeal (4 to 1)
Movements - Flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation
Normal curvatures - Primary - Thoracic and Sacral, Secondary - Cervical and lumbar.
What is a quick checklist for distinguishing vertebrae?
Are there transverse foramina? - Yes (cervical), no - continue.
Are there demifacets on the body, or facets on the transverse process? Yes - Thoracic, no - continue
Is there a massive body, and a spade-shaped spinous process? Yes - lumbar.
What is a typical body/canal ratio, spinous process, transverse process, and articular process of a cervical vertebra?
Body/canal - 1:1
Spinous - Bifid
Transverse - Foramen present
Articular - Horizontal plane
What is a typical body/canal ratio, spinous process, transverse process, and articular process of a thoracic vertebra?
Body/canal - 3:1
Spinous - Sloping
Transverse - rib facet present
Articular - coronal plane
What is a typical body/canal ratio, spinous process, transverse process, and articular process of a lumbar vertebra?
Body/canal - 5:1
Spinous - Square
Transverse - Elongated
Articular - Sagittal plane
Relate joint movements with joint structures
Which joints are responsible for rotation and flexion/extension of the head?
Atlanto-Axial - rotation (No)
Atlanto-occipital - Flexion/extension (Yes)
What movements are the cervical vertebra capable of?
Rotation (Atlanto-axial joint)
Flexion-Extension - Atlanto-occipital and cervical joints.
Lateral flexion.
What are the typical and atypical cervical vertebrae?
Typical - C3-C6
Atypical - C1 (Atlas - no body), C2 (Axis - dens), C7 (long, non-bifid SP)
What are the typical and atypical thoracic vertebrae?
Typical - T2-8
Atypical - T9-2 (Superior costal facets only, allow lateral flexion and rotation).
What movements do the lumbar vertebrae allow?
Flexion and extension.
What are the three layers of muscles of the back and their functions?
Superficial - Move upper limbs - Trapezius, Lat. Dorsi, Levator scapulae, rhomboids
Intermediate - Resp muscles - Serratus posterior sup/inf
Deep - move the vertebral column
What muscles are involved in moving the neck?
Splenius capitis and cervicis
What muscles are involved in stabilising the vertebrae?
Erector spinae - spinalis, longissimus, iliocostalis.
Multifidus
