(7?) Vertebral Column (1)

Question 1

Regions of Vertebral Column:

Answer 1

Cervicale (7) 
Thoracic (12) 
Lumbar (5) 
Sacral (5) 
Coccygeal (4)

Question 2

Characteristics (ALL Typical Vertebrae)

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Ossification Process of Vertebrae:

Answer 3

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).

Question 4

Cervical (Typical and Atypical)

Answer 4

Typical: C3-C6

Atypical: C1 (atlas) , C2 (axis) , C7 (Vertebral Prominence)

Question 5

Characteristics (Typical Cervical)

Answer 5

Small rectangular vertebral body
Bifid spinous processes
Transverse foramen 
Carotid tubercle 
Uncus of body

Question 6

Characteristics (Atypical - C1)

Answer 6

No vertebral body 
Ring-shaped bone 
Anterior and posterior arch
Anterior tubercle
Transverse ligament (holds C2) 
Lateral Mass
MOTION: nodding (yes)

Question 7

Characteristics (Atypical - C2)

Answer 7

Bifid spinous process
Irregular vertebral body
Dens
Shaking motion (no)

Question 8

Characteristics (Atypical - C7)

Answer 8

Longest spinous process (first process found when palpation from occipital protuberance)
Can look like thoracic vertebrae
Sometimes biphid

Question 9

Articular Facet Orientation:

Answer 9

Superior articular facet: upwards, backwards and slightly medially.

Inferior Articular Facet: downwards, forwards and slightly laterally.

Question 10

Thoracic (Typical and Atypical)

Answer 10

Typical : T2-T9

Atypical: T1, T10-12.

Question 11

Characteristics (Typical Thoracic)

Answer 11

Vertebral body: heart shaped
Transverse Costal facet (for ribs)
Long sloping spinous process.
Superior Articular facets: face posteriorly and laterally (opp. For inferior)

Question 12

Characteristics (Atypical - A1)

Answer 12

2 demifacets: one complete costal facet for rib 1. One inferior demifacet
Posterolateral uncus:
Horizontal long spinous process.

Question 13

Characteristics (Atypical: T10-12)

Answer 13

No articular facets (due to floating ribs)

One complete costal facet.

Question 14

Lumbar:

Answer 14

ALL typical (L1-5)

Question 15

Characteristics (Typical - Lumbar)

Answer 15

Large kidney shaped vertebral body
Limited movement
Small triangular vertebral foramen
L1/L2: tall and regular 
L3/L4: square
L5: flat rectangle

Question 16

Characteristics (Sacrum)

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Characteristics (Coccyx)

Answer 17

Transverse process
Base of coccyx
Apex of coccyx
Coccygeal cornua

Question 18

Common Vertebral Fractures

Answer 18

1) Pas Interarticularis: impingement of phrenic nerve (which innervates diaphragm) = inability to breath.
2) Hangman’s fracture: fracturing of C2

Question 19

Normal Curvature:

Answer 19

Primary: thoracic and sacral
Secondary: cervical (baby lifting head), lumbar (walking)

Question 20

Abnormal Curvature:

Answer 20

Lordosis: excessive posterior curvature (pathological or normal)
Kyphosis: excessive anterior curvature
Scoliosis: excessive lateral curvature

Question 21

Laminectomy

Answer 21

removal of vertebral arch by transceting lamine or pedicles = reduce pressure or reach spinal cord.