Anatomy Lab 1

Question 1

On each vertebral image below
a) Determine the region it is from
b) Outline and colour the parts derived from the centrum, neural arch and costal elements.

Answer 1

Question 2

What kind of mesoderm does the vertebral column develop from?

Answer 2

Paraxial mesoderm (sclerotome).
Also gives rise to the ribs.

Question 3

How does the notochord contribute to vertebral development?

Answer 3

Vertebral bodies and discs develop around it.

Induces neural tube to form, thus creates the need for a neural arch.

Induces somite differentiation, creating the sclerotome

Question 4

What parts of the vertebral column contain remnants of the notochord?

Answer 4

Nucleus pulposus

Question 5

How does segmentation occur in the mesenchyme around the notochord?

Answer 5

Differential nutrition:

Segmental vessels between somites provide better nutrition Intersegmentally (i.e. between the segments), therefore centra develop between
somites.

The adjacent somite gets poor nutrition and therefore becomes the disc.

Question 6

Name the unique cervical vertebra feature formed by the ossification of the lateral components of the costal and neural arch elements

Answer 6

Transverse foramen (foramen transversarium)

Question 7

What structure occupies the space created by the feature you named above?

Answer 7

The left and right vertebral arteries

Question 8

Describe a comparable feature in a thoracic vertebra to the transverse foramen in the cervical vertebrae.

Answer 8

In thoracic segments, this foramen is represented by the gap between the ribs and the transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae

Question 9

How many segments usually make up a sacrum?

Answer 9

5

Question 10

Which sacral segment has the largest body?

Answer 10

The first segment

Question 11

Describe how sacral foramina differ from the transverse foramina of cervical vertebrae in terms of their orientation and contents

Answer 11

Cervical transverse foramina are oriented vertically and contain vertebral arteries.

Sacral foramina are oriented horizontally & contain nerves (dorsal & ventral rami)

Question 12

Which regions of the spine have a primary curve
(kyphosis = concave anteriorly)?

Answer 12

Thoracic and sacral regions

Question 13

Which regions of the spine have a secondary curve (lordosis = convex anteriorly)?

Answer 13

Cervical and lumbar regions

Question 14

The curve in the neck develops around the time of birth.
Why do you think this is so?

Answer 14

The cervical curve develops around time of / just after birth as baby becomes able to hold its head up.

Question 15

The curve in the lumbar region develops at around the age of 1 year.
What do you think is the reason for this?

Answer 15

The lumbar curve develops at around one year as the infant becomes able to stand / walk

Question 16

complete the table below indicating where bone shape or disc shape primarily causes the curvature in each region:

Answer 16

Question 17

Which regions have a constant number of vertebrae and which show the most variation?

Answer 17

Cervical region is most consistent.
Sacrum has most variation

Question 18

At what stage of vertebral development would a developmental fault cause:
a) A block vertebra

Answer 18

Failure of somite segmentation.
Presents at Osseus stage Wk 8-10

Question 19

At what stage of vertebral development would a developmental fault cause:
b) A hemivertebra

Answer 19

Cartilaginous stage Wk 6-9

Question 20

At what stage of vertebral development would a developmental fault cause:
c) A butterfly vertebra

Answer 20

Osseus stage Wk 8

Question 21

Indicate how the disc/body ratio reflects the freedom of movement in the different
vertebral regions (none, least, little, lots)

Answer 21

Question 22

Vertebral body height changes across regions. Describe and explain this trend.

Answer 22

The vertebral bodies get progressively more robust down the vertebral column due to the progressively heavier mass placed upon them