Anatomy: Chapter 2 Flashcards
What makes up your vertebrae? How many of each type?
Cervical (7), thoracic (12), lumbar (5), sacrum (5), coccyx (4-5)
Describe the curvature of the vertebrae as well as when they are developed.
Primary curves: thoracic and sacral which are concave anteriorly (kyphosis)
Secondary curves: cervical and lumbar which are convex (lordosis)
Cervical curve becomes pronounced when at 3 months when the baby can hold their head erect
Lumbar curve becomes pronounced at 9-10 months when toddler tries to stand
What are some distinct characteristics of the cervical vertebrae?
- large vertebral foreman
- small or no body
- have the transverse foramen
- C1-C6 have a bifid spinous process
What is the Atlanto-Occipital articulation?
It is where the atlas joins the bone of the skull
What is the Atlanto-Axial articulation?
Articulation between C1 and C2
Fovea dentis
The depression in the atlas for the articulation of the den
What articulations are involved with the odontoid process?
- one anterior for articulation with the atlas
- one posterior for connection with the transverse ligament of the atlas
What is the purpose of the odontoid process?
It helps move/rotate the head
Patient has pain on ulnar side of forearm and hand as well as ischemic muscle pain. He has:
a cervical rib: extra rib from C7
What are possible effects of having a cervical rib?
- ischemic pain: lack of blood supply due to restriction of the subclavian artery
- pain in the ulnar (pinky side) side of forearm and hand
- palpable mass over clavicle
Cruciate ligament
Transverse ligament reinforced by the superior and inferior longitudinal bands
What are the Atlanto-Axial joints?
Median: dens
Lateral: articular facets on the axis
What is a hangman fracture?
Fracture of pedicles/dens of C2
What is different about C6?
It’s anterior tubercle is more prominent is and known as the carotid tubercle
Uncinate processes: where? Development?
- C3-C7 and T1
- prevents vertebra from sliding off backwards off the vertebra below it
- initially flat but develops into uncovertebral joints during ages 5-10 yrs
What is the vertrbra prominence and what’s different about it?
It’s is C7
Anterior tubercles on its transverse processes are missing.
Has a long palpable spinous process
What are the contents of the vertebral foramen?
Spinal cord Meninges Nerve roots Spinal vessels Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Fat tissue
What are meninges? What are the different layers?
Membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord 3 layers: Dura matar (outer) Arachnoid (middle) Pia matar (inner)
Denticulate ligaments are:
Extensions of the pia matar from the surface of the spinal cord to the arachnoid matar
Supports the spinal cord in the vertebral canal
What are the intermeningeal spaces?
Epidural space: between bones and dura matar; wider below L2.
contains: fat, vertebral veins, nerve roots
Subdural space: between dura matar and arachnoid
Subarachnoid space: between arachnoid and pia matar
Contains: CSF
What are cisterns
The subarachnoid spaces that are larger in certain areas of the vertebrae
Lumbar cisterns: where? What? Contains?
Enlargement of subarachnoid space below the medullary cone
Contains: cauda equina (has nerve roots) and filum terminale (extension of pia matar) floating in CSF
What is the medullary cone
The termination of the spinal cord
Contents of the intervertebral foramen
Dorsal root ganglia (DRG)
Spinal roots and Vessels
Contents of the transverse foramen
C1-C6: vertebral artery and veins
C7: vertebral artery turns into accessory vertebral vessel
Origin and Parts of the vertebral artery are:
Origin: subclavian artery
Part 1: origin to transverse foramen
Part 2: C6-C1 in transverse foramen
Part 3: turns medially on arch of atlas and goes thru the foramen magnum turning into the basilar artery
Explain rib articulation with the thoracic vertebrae
Costal facets
Demi-facets articulate with head of the rib forming costovertebral joints
Transverse costal facets articulate with the tubercle of the rib forming costotransverse joints
T1, 10, 11, 12 only have one articulation with ribs
Where is the mammillary process
Posterior surface of superior articular process of lumbar vertebrae
What is a lumbar puncture? How is it done in adults/newborns?
Procedure where needle is passed in between spinous process and interlamina space and into the subarachnoid space
- between L3-4 for adults and L4-5 for newborns to prevent spinal cord injury
- pressure of CSF can be measure with manometer
- spinal block or contrast medium (for myelography) can be injected
- diagnosis of bacterial meningitis (glucose down, protein up, cloudy)
Where does the spinal cord end for adults/newborns?
L1 for adults and L3 for newborns
How can you locate L4?
The intercrestal line: a line drawn between the iliac crests is located at L4
What is a spinal block? Side effects?
Anesthesia for numbing injected by doing a lumbar puncture
Side effects: headaches, numbing, paralysis primarily of lower limbs
What is a caudal epidural and how is it given?
Anesthesia given thru the sacral hiatus into epidural space to block pelvic nerves
- numbs the pubic region
- used for labor
What is Vertebrobasilar Syndrome? Treatment?
When patient looks up and faints (usually the elderly) due to lack to blood of the brain
- treatment from fainting: lifting legs to promote circulation
hemivertebrae, block vertebra, spondylolisthesis are all:
vertebral anomalies
What is spina bifida and how does it occur? Different types?
Congenital disorder due to a failure of development and/or fusion of the vertebral arches of the L5 or S1 vertebrae.
- can also result from neural tube defect when the caudal neuropore fails to close in the 4th intrauterine week
- Spina bifida occulta: vertebrae doesn’t close completely and malformation is covered by skin
- Spina bifida cystica: more severe; one or more vertebral arches fail to develop
- Disorder may be accompanied by: sensory, motor, and autonomic syndromes including paralysis of limbs
What is spina bifida associated with?
Meningocele (herniation of the meninges)
Meningomyelocele (herniation of the meninges and roots/spinal cord)