15. Vertebral Column and Muscles of the Back Flashcards
Name some functions of the vertebral column (5)
- Muscle attachment
- Mobility
3, Protection - Weight transfer
- Haematopoiesis
What are the primary and secondary curvatures of the vertebral column?
Primary - flexed foetal position
Secondary - extension
What are the regions of the vertebral column? How many vertebrae are in each region?
Cervical - 7 Thoracic - 12 Lumbar - 5 Sacral - 5 Coccyx - 4
What are the 4 principal curvatures of the vertebral column?
Cervical lordosis
Thoracic kyphosis
Lumbar lordosis
Sacral kyphosis
Which 2 bony features create the vertebral arch?
Pedicle and lamina
What are the 7 bony processes on a vertebra?
1x spinous process
2x transverse process
4x articular process
Describe some features unique to C1 (atlas)
No body
No spinous processes
Anterior and posterior arches, each with a tubercle
What articulates with the superior articular surfaces of the C1 vertebra?
Occipital condyles
Describe some features unique to C2 (axis)
Dens/ odontoid process (essentially the ‘missing’ body of C1)
Where on a cervical vertebra (C3-C7) is the uncinate process found?
Body of vertebra
What structures pass through the foramen transversarium of C3-C7 vertebrae?
Vertebral artery
Vertebral vein
Describe the spinous process of a C3-C7 vertebra
Bifid spine
Splits in 2
What structure articulates with the costal facets of the thoracic vertebra?
Ribs
Transverse costal facet - tubercle of rib
Inferior and superior costal facets - head of rib
Describe the spinous process of a T1-T12 vertebra
Long and sloping
Describe some features unique to the lumbar vertebrae
Huge body
Accessory process on the transverse processes
Mammillary processes on each superior articular process
What are the 3 crests found on the sacrum?
Median (=spinous processes)
Intermediate (=articular processes)
Lateral (=transverse processes)
What are the coccygeal cornu?
Bony projections that articulate with the sacrum
What type of joint is the IV disc?
Secondary cartilagenous
Where is the zygapophysial joint?
Between inferior and superior articular processes
What type of joint is the zygapophysial joint?
Plane synovial
What are the superficial extrinsic muscles of the back? (5)
Trapezius
Lat dorsi
Rhomboid major and minor
Levator scapulae
Origin of trapezius?
Medial 1/3rd superior nuchal line
Nuchal ligament
Spinous processes C7-T12
Insertion of trapezius?
Lateral clavicle
Acromion
Spine of scapula
Innervation of trapezius?
Motor - spinal accessory CNXI
Origin of lat dorsi?
Spinous processes T7-12,
Thoracolumbar fascia
Iliac crest
Lower 3/4 ribs
Insertion of lat dorsi?
Edge of bicipital groove of humerus