A2 Spinal Chord Flashcards
Cervical Vertebrae
7 cervical vertebrae (C1-C7)
Small body,
Transverse foramina (Only here, holes in the transverse foramen where vertebral arteries pass)
Bifid spinous process (fork at end)
C7 Vertebra prominens (extra long)
Spinous processes superposteriorly slowed, superior facets
zygopophysial joints slanted superior and lateral…extension, flexion and lateral flexion (relatively horizontal facets)
atlas
C1 Vertebrae
NO BODY, just anterior arch with tubercle
no spinous process, just posterior arch with tubercle
large superior skull facets (for nodding!)
transverse ligament- wraps around dens
Axis
C2 Vertebrae
Contains Dens (odontoid process) on small body
superior articular facets for rotation (no) (axis of rotation from here)
Primary Curvatures
Curvatures of the back that concave anteriorly
Fetal development
Throacic and Sacral
Also called Kyphosis
Secondary Curvatures
Concave Posteriorly
Fully developed adults
-to bear weight
Cervical, Lumbar
Also called Lordosis
Improper Curvatures
Hyper Kyphosis “hunchback” - common in elderly
Hyper Lordosis “Swayback” - common in obese or pregnant, anterior tilt of the pelvis
Scoliosis: Lateral Curvature of the Spine, associated with rotation of vertebrae and hemivertebrae. Forward Bend test.
Typical Vertebra
Arch: pedicles and spine
transverse processes
spinous processes
articular processes with facets (superior and inferior)
zygopohphysis (articular processes)
facets (joints), zygopophysial joints
intervertebral foramina (between vertebra, under pedicles)
intervertebral discs
Anulus Fibrosus: fibrocartilage ring for strong attachment and limits rotation
nucleus pulposes: gel core with a high water content which can herniate
Disc Herniation
Typically a posterolateral herniation of the nucleus pulposa
Can compress the spinal chord or cauda equine
Most common in Lumbar region, thickest intervertebral discs, susceptible.
annulus fibrosus is weakest posteriorly, lateral due to ligament _____???
Cervical Uncovertebral Joints of Lushka
Uncus (uncinate process). Elevated superolateral margin of the body (Draw)
Can develop painful spurs
Joints appear U shaped from anterior view
atlantoaxial joint
3 articulations.
C1-C2 joint
transverse ligament of atlas
hangmans fracture and Dens Fracture
fracture of pars interarticularis (in between superior and inferior articular processes (look at it on a bone)
- from hyperextension (hanging)
- basically at middle of vertebral foramin
Dens fracture is fracture of dens. Can happen to dens only: avascular necrosis, or with more body attached: can repair easier.
atlanto-axial subluxation
rupture of transverse ligament of the axis
- vertebral injury
- or pathological softening of the ligaments
more likely to slip and cause spinal cord compression than dens fracture
Thoracic Region
T1-T12
Small triangular body
Long spinous processes- point inferiorly
lamina close (almost no interlaminar space)
nearly vertical facet (zygopophysial) joints facing anterior and posteriorly
-permits rotation, limits extension/flexion/lateral flexion
RIB articulations
- inferior costal facet (rib below)
- superior costal facet (rib above, same number)
- transverse costal facet (same rib number)
Lumbar Region
L1-L5
Large kidney shaped body
short broad spinous process (draw)
Large interlaminar space
facets face medial (superior) and laterally (inferior)
- permits flexion, extension, lateral flexion
- no rotation
- still nearly vertical but other plane
Sacrum
Triangular shape
S1-S5 (fused)
8 Anterior/Posterior sacral foramina
-exit branches for spinal nerves
Alae- wings, with LARGE articular surfaces for pelvis
Posterior: median, lateral crests
sacral canal, no cover, mound by two processes called sacral cornua
sacral hiatus- opening of sacral canal
Spondylolysis
Fracture of Pars interarticularis
spondylolisthesis
complete displacement/dislocation of vertebra resulting from spondylolysis
commonly at L5
Caudal Epidural
palpate 4th spinout process & cornua
-isolates the hiatus, can use a shallow injection angle for epidural
coccyx
vestigial vertebral bodies (remains of tail)
3-4
small transverse process only on Co1
muscle attachment
some AP mobility
Ligaments surrounding vertebrae body
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
- runs along the surface of bodies
- helps restrict extension of vertebral column
- can be ruptured in whiplash
Posterior Longitudinal ligament
- posterior along the bodies
- prevents herniations from going straight back
posterior longitudinal ligament
within vertebral foramen, becomes tectorial membrane at CV joint???
cruciate ligament
transverse ligament of axis plus longitudinal bands
alar ligaments
from dens to foramen magnum (??)
ligament flava
between laminae (all the way around?)
supra and inter spinous ligaments
supraspinous: large ligament outside bodies, over the anterior spinous longitudinal ligament
interspinous ligament: connects the spinous processes
ligamentum nuchae
large ligament from C7 to back of head, nuchal ____
