(7?) Vertebral Column (1) Flashcards
Regions of Vertebral Column:
Cervicale (7) Thoracic (12) Lumbar (5) Sacral (5) Coccygeal (4)
Characteristics (ALL Typical Vertebrae)
Vertebral body: supports body weight
Neural arch: protects spinal cord
Articular processes: restriction of movement
Spinous and transverse processes: muscle attachment + movement
Laminar and pedicle
Ossification Process of Vertebrae:
1- Prior to ossification, area of ‘vertebrae’ is known as a: cartilage precursor.
2 - Ossification begins the end of embryonic period, around 9 wks.
3 - 3 primary ossification centers develop. 1- centrum and 2- neural arch. > Thoracic and Sacral Curvatures develop.
4 - During puberty, 5 secondary ossification centers develop in typical vertebrae. Fusing at 25 y/o. > Cervical (from baby lifting head), Lumbar (from walking).
Cervical (Typical and Atypical)
Typical: C3-C6
Atypical: C1 (atlas) , C2 (axis) , C7 (Vertebral Prominence)
Characteristics (Typical Cervical)
Small rectangular vertebral body Bifid spinous processes Transverse foramen Carotid tubercle Uncus of body
Characteristics (Atypical - C1)
No vertebral body Ring-shaped bone Anterior and posterior arch Anterior tubercle Transverse ligament (holds C2) Lateral Mass MOTION: nodding (yes)
Characteristics (Atypical - C2)
Bifid spinous process
Irregular vertebral body
Dens
Shaking motion (no)
Characteristics (Atypical - C7)
Longest spinous process (first process found when palpation from occipital protuberance)
Can look like thoracic vertebrae
Sometimes biphid
Articular Facet Orientation:
Superior articular facet: upwards, backwards and slightly medially.
Inferior Articular Facet: downwards, forwards and slightly laterally.
Thoracic (Typical and Atypical)
Typical : T2-T9
Atypical: T1, T10-12.
Characteristics (Typical Thoracic)
Vertebral body: heart shaped
Transverse Costal facet (for ribs)
Long sloping spinous process.
Superior Articular facets: face posteriorly and laterally (opp. For inferior)
Characteristics (Atypical - A1)
2 demifacets: one complete costal facet for rib 1. One inferior demifacet
Posterolateral uncus:
Horizontal long spinous process.
Characteristics (Atypical: T10-12)
No articular facets (due to floating ribs)
One complete costal facet.
Lumbar:
ALL typical (L1-5)
Characteristics (Typical - Lumbar)
Large kidney shaped vertebral body Limited movement Small triangular vertebral foramen L1/L2: tall and regular L3/L4: square L5: flat rectangle
Characteristics (Sacrum)
Anterior sacral foramina Posterior sacral foramina Sacral promontory Sacral body Medial, intermediate and lateral crests (posterior side) Sacral canal Sacral hiatus Auricular surface Superior articular facet Sacral cornua
Characteristics (Coccyx)
Transverse process
Base of coccyx
Apex of coccyx
Coccygeal cornua
Common Vertebral Fractures
1) Pas Interarticularis: impingement of phrenic nerve (which innervates diaphragm) = inability to breath.
2) Hangman’s fracture: fracturing of C2
Normal Curvature:
Primary: thoracic and sacral
Secondary: cervical (baby lifting head), lumbar (walking)
Abnormal Curvature:
Lordosis: excessive posterior curvature (pathological or normal)
Kyphosis: excessive anterior curvature
Scoliosis: excessive lateral curvature
Laminectomy
removal of vertebral arch by transceting lamine or pedicles = reduce pressure or reach spinal cord.
