2:1 Vertebral Column Flashcards
Vertebral Column provides….
protection for the spinal cord.
The vertebral column consists of…
vertebra
Plural for vertebra is…
vertebrae
Total number of vertebrae:
33
What are the 5 divisions of the vertebral column and (# vertebrae)?
- Cervical (7)
- Thoracic (12 - parallels the 12 ribs of the thorax)
- Lumbar (5)
- Sacral (5)
- Coccygeal (4)
Vertebrae are numbered…
sequentially by sections.
Name the sequential sections.
Cervical:
C1-C7
Thoracic:
T1-T12
Lumbar:
L1-L5
Sacral:
S1-S5
Coccyx:
Fused - 3 or 4 fused vertebrae
C1 =
C2 =
C1 = Atlas C2 = Axis
Thoracic landmarks:
- Superior and Inferior Costal Facets are points of attachment for ribs.
- Transverse Costal Facets.
Intervertebral Discs:
Fibrocartilaginous discs found between vertebrae except for the first two (C1 and C2 - connected by dons and the odontoid ligament).
Intervertebral Discs provide…
a support and cushion for vertebrae.
How many intervertebral discs?
Approximately 24 discs.
Anatomy of a vertebrae- Each vertebrae contains each of these features (6):
- Spinous process
- Transverse process
- Corpus
- Vertebral foramen
- Intervertebral foramina
- Superior and Inferior Articular Facets
Spinous process:
prominent structure found on the posterior side of the vertebrae (think: you can feel this portion with your hands). Can be found just in the middle or on both sides depending on what vertebra.
Transverse process (both sides):
prominent structure found on both sides
Corpus (body):
anterior portion/body
Vertebral foramen:
prominent hole for the spinal cord to pass through
Intervertebral foramina:
small holes for the entrance and exiting of spinal nerves (nerves that enter and exit the spinal cord)
Superior and inferior articular facets:
allows for articulation with other vertebrae (other vertebral segments). Indentations found on the vertebrae that allow for articulation with other vertebrae allowing vertebrae to stack on top on one another.
Cervical Vertebrae compose the…
neck bones.
Cervical Vertebrae have a total of
7 vertebrae (C1-C7)
C1 =
Atlas
C2 =
Axis
3 things about the Atlas (C1):
- First Vertebrae
- Supports the weight of the skull
- Has a very small spinous process
3 things about the Axis (C2):
- Fits into the Atlas
- Allows for rotation and pivoting of the skull
- Dens or Odontoid Process:
4 things about the Dens or Odontoid Process:
- Protrudes through the vertebral foramen
- Helps prevent damage to the spinal cord
- This is where it attaches to the Atlas and allows for unprecedented movement.
- Transverse Ligament
Transverse Ligament
- surrounds the odontoid process and allows for movement of odontoid process
- helps hold Atlas and Axis together.
SLIDE: CERVICAL VERTEBRAE (4 characteristics)
- These types of vertebrae are very small and delicate
- Small Transverse Process on each side
- Transverse Foramen that allows for passage of the spinal nerves to enter and exit
- Superior articular facet and inferior articular facet that allows for the interaction between each of the cervical vertebrae and the very last cervical vertebrae that will interact with the first thoracic vertebrae.
Thoracic Vertebrae have a total of:
12 Total (T1-T12)
Thoracic Vertebrae have a larger….
Larger spinous and transverse processes than cervical vertebrae
Thoracic Vertebrae contain…
Contain superior and inferior costal facets
Superior and inferior costal facets:
Indentations found on the thoracic vertebrae that allows for the attachment point for the ribs
Ribs attach to thoracic vertebrae via the…
superior and inferior costal facets
Which ribs have a 1:1 arrangement (rib# attaches to the same vertebrae#)
Ribs 1, 10, 11, and 12
rib 1 attaches to vertebrae 1, rib 10 attaches to vertebrae 10, etc
What ribs attach to the transverse costal facets as well as attach to the body (inferior costal facet) of the vertebrae above it?
Ribs 2-9
Lumbar Vertebrae have a total of:
5 (L1-L5)
Lumbar are the…
Largest and strongest vertebrae because they bear the most weight during lifting or walking
Lumbar provide attachment points for..
back and abdominal muscles
L5 is the…
thickest Lumbar Vertebrae (can see how they thicken as you go lower)
Sacrum has a total of…
5 sacral vertebrae (S1-S5)
Sacral vertebrae form the sacrum by….
fusing together (ossify)
Sacral foramina provide a passageway for…
sacral nerves
Coccyx has…
4 fused coccygeal vertebrae
Coccyx appearance =
beak-like appearance
Coccyx articulates with..
sacrum by means of small disc
Normal Spine Curvature (2):
- Straight from anterior to posterior with very slight curve to right
- Straight or slightly curved forward in cervical area, convex in thoracic region, concave in lumbar and convex in sacral area.
Abnormal Spine Curvature (3):
- Scoliosis
- Kyphosis (“hunchback”)
- Lordosis (“swayback”)
Scoliosis:
lateral curve
Kyphosis:
“hunchback”, abnormal convexity in thoracic region
Lordosis
“swayback”, abnormal concavity in lumbar or cervical region
Spinal Cord Injuries:
Result of impact can cause the vertebral column to undergo stresses that can tear the spinal cord.
Spinal Cord Injuries often can results in….
Often can result in loss of motor and sensory function to the area below the spinal cord injury.
Spinal Cord injuries may result in…(2)
paraplegia (legs paralyzed), or
quadriplegia (both arms and legs paralyzed)
