Anatomy: Bones of the Spine Flashcards
What is scoliosis?
Lateral curvature of the spine, usually of unknown cause
Which region of the spine does this vertebrae belong to?
Lumbar
What separates adjacent vertebral bodies?
Fibrocartilaginous intervertebral disc
Name the transverse processes of a typical cervical vertebra
Foramina transversaria, anterior and posterior tubercles
What is thoracic kyphosis?
Excessive thoracic curvature, causing a hunchback deformity
Describe the vertebral body of a typical lumbar vertebra
Large, kidney shaped
Which region of a vertebra is indicated in the picture?
Transverse processes
Name the regions of the vertebral column
Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccyx
What is lumbar lordosis?
Excessive lumbar curvature, causing a swayback deformity
Which region of the spine does this vertebrae belong to?
Cervical
Describe the curvature of the cervical region of the spine
Convex anteriorly - lordosis
Describe the the transverse processes of a typical lumbar vertebra
Slender, horizontal
Which region of the spine does this vertebrae belong to?
Thoracic
Describe the spinous process of a typical lumbar vertebra
Large, horizontal
Describe the curvature of the lumbar spine
Convex anteriorly - lordosis
Describe the shape of the vertebral foramen in a typical lumbar vertebra
Small, triangular
Describe the curvature of the sacral spine
Concave anteriorly - kyphosis
Which region of a vertebra is indicated in the picture?
Spinous process
Describe the structure of C2 (axis)
Dens (odontoid process)
Which region of a vertebra is indicated in the picture?
Vertebral body
Describe the vertebral body of a typical lumbar vertebra
Small, kidney-shaped vertebral body with urincate processes
Which region of a vertebra is indicated in the picture?
Lamina
Describe the curvature of the thoracic region of the spine
Concave anteriorly - kyphosis
Describe the the transverse processes of a typical thoracic vertebra
Broad, horizontal, has costal facets for articulation with the shaft of a single rib
How many sacral vertebrae are there?
5 (fused)
Describe the structure of C1 (atlas)
No body, no spinous process
How many coccyx vertebrae are there?
4 (fused)
Name the weight-bearing component of a vertebrae
Vertebral body
What is spondylolithesis?
Displacement of the vertebra due to instability caused by the pars fracture
Which region of a vertebra is indicated in the picture?
Pedicles
Which region of a vertebra is indicated in the picture?
Vertebral arch
Describe the shape of the vertebral foramen in a typical cervical vertebra
Triangular
Describe the vertebral body of a typical thoracic vertebra
Heart shaped, increasing in size as more inferior
Which region of a vertebra is indicated in the picture?
Superior articular processes
Describe the spinous process of a typical cervical vertebra
Short, bifid
Describe the spinous process of a typical thoracic vertebra
Long, downward sloping
What is unusual about C7 (vertebra prominents?
It has a long, prominent spinous process
What is spondylosis?
Occurs when there is a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis
Describe the shape of the vertebral foramen in a typical thoracic vertebra
Circular
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5
What is cervical spondylosis?
Decrease in the size of the intervertebral foramina, usually due to degeneration of the joints of the spine Decrease in the size of the intervertebral foramina, usually due to degeneration of the joints of the spine
Which regions of the vertebral body are lined by hyaline cartilage?
Superior and inferior aspects
What is the pars interarticularis?
The part of a vertebra located between the inferior and superior articular processes of the facet joint
Which region of a vertebra is indicated in the picture?
Vertebral foramen
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12
