Anatomical Terminology Flashcards
ala sacralis
the wing-like upper part of each lateral mass of the sacrum as viewed from above
in latin, ala is wing
annulus fibrosis
outer part of the intervertebral disc surrounding the nucleus pulposus made up of rings of collagen fibers arranged in layers,
anterior arch
the section of the vertebra consisting of the vertebral body and the anterior third of the pedicles
anterior longitudinal ligament
(ALL) Thick, longitudinally oriented ligamentous fibers connecting the anterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies from C2 to the sacrum
aorta
the main vessel of the arterial system
apophyseal ring
the ring of cortical bone surrounding the vertebral body beneath the endplate
apophysis
an outgrowth or projection especially from a bone
A bony process or outgrowth that lacks an independent center of ossification
articular
relating to a joint
atlantoaxial joint
the joint at which the atlas C1 articulates with the axis C2
The odontoid process of C2 acts as a pivot point for the rotation of C1
Atlas
the first cervical vertebra C1
named after the mythological figure Atlas because it supports the “globe”
autogenous
self producing from within the body
axis
the second cervical vertebra C2
the pivot point for the atlas
cancellous bone
porous loosely knit bone similar in structure to a sponge
cauda equina
bundle of spinal nerves and spinal nerve rootlets extending from the conus medullaris into the vertebral canal below L1
latin: cauda tail and equus horse, horse’s tail
central nervous system
the primary part of the nervous system composed of the brain and spinal cord
cerebrospinal fluid
CSF clear colorless fluid formed by cells in the brain and spinal cord
has a protective function as a shock absorber for the spinal cord
cervical
relating to the neck or cervix
the first 7 vertebra of the spine
coccyx
the small triangular bone attached to the base of the sacrum
formed by 4 or 5 fused rudimentary vertebra
conus medullaris
the cone shaped base of the spinal cord
cortical bone
dense, solid bone tissue found in the outer shell of the vertebra
costovertebral joints
the smooth rounded facet joints located laterally on the vertebral bodies of T2-T9 that articulate with the ribs
Dens
the tooth-like process projecting superiorly from the body of C2
provides a capsular pivot joint for atlanto-axial rotation
also called the odontoid process
Discitis
inflammation of the disc
Discogenic
from a damaged vertebral disc
dorsal root
multiple filaments of the sensory fibers located on the posterior side of the spinal cord
dura meter
the tough fibrous membrane forming the outer covering of the central nervous system
in the brain it has two layers
in the spinal cord it has a single layer
endplate
a thin plate of well-vascularized tissue composed of an outer layer of cartilage and an inner layer of bone that is strongly attached to the cortical rim of the vertebral body
serves as a growth ring for the vertebral body
epidural space
the space surrounding the spinal cord, filled with fatty tissue, veins and arteries
extension
the act of straightening or unbending / backward bending in the spine
facet joint
a synovial joint formed by the inferior articular process of one vertebra and the superior process of the adjacent vertebra
the connections between the bones of the spine
The nerve roots pass through these joints to go from the spinal cord to the arms, legs and other parts of the body. These joints also allow the spine to bend and twist, and they keep the back from slipping too far forward or twisting without limits.
flexion
the act of flexing or bending
forward bending in the spine
foramen
a hole or opening in bone
