Anatomy of the Spine

Question 1

what are the 5 different regions the spine is split into, in order from top to bottom

Answer 1

cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccyx

Question 2

how many cervical vertebrae are there

Answer 2

7

Question 3

how many thoracic vertebrae are there

Answer 3

12

Question 4

how many lumbar vertebrae are there

Answer 4

5

Question 5

what parts of the spine are made up of fused bones

Answer 5

the sacral an coccyx regions

Question 6

describe the shape of the cervical and thoracic regions

Answer 6

cervical = convex anteriorly
thoracic = concave anteriorly

Question 7

describe the shape of the lumbar and sacral regions

Answer 7

lumbar = convex anteriorly 
sacral = concave anteriorly

Question 8

describe the basic parts of the anatomy of vertebrae

Answer 8

vertebral body, transverse process, spinous process, vertebral foramen

Question 9

what is the name of the part of the vertebrae between the transverse process and the vertebral body

Answer 9

pedicle

Question 10

what is the name of the part of the vertebrae between the transverse process and the spinous process

Answer 10

lamina

Question 11

what are the anatomical features found on vertebrae

Answer 11

superior and inferior vertebral notch, superior and inferior articular processes

Question 12

what are the atypical features of C1

Answer 12

no body and no spinous process

Question 13

what are the atypical features of C2

Answer 13

the dens(odontoid process), also bifid spinous process

Question 14

what are the atypical features of C7 and what is it also called

Answer 14

also called vertebra prominens, has a long prominent spinous process

Question 15

what are the typical features of cervical vertebrae

Answer 15

small kidney-shaped body, triangular vertebral foramen, short bifid spinous process, uricinate processes on body

Question 16

what are the typical features of the vertebral body of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 16

heart-shaped, increasing in size more inferiorly, costal facets

Question 17

what are the typical features of the transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 17

broad and horizontal, have costal facets

Question 18

describe the vertebral foramen of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 18

small and circular

Question 19

describe the spinous process of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 19

long and downward sloping

Question 20

describe the transverse process of lumbar vertebrae

Answer 20

slender and horizontal

Question 21

describe the vertebral foramen of lumbar vertebrae

Answer 21

small and triangular

Question 22

describe the spinous process of lumbar vertebrae

Answer 22

large, blunt and horizontal

Question 23

what are the 2 different types of joints in the spine

Answer 23

facet joints and intervertebral joints

Question 24

what shape are intervertebral joints

Answer 24

discs

Question 25

what are the 2 different parts of the intervertebral joints

Answer 25

outer annulus fibrosus and inner nucleus pulposes

Question 26

where are facet joints found

Answer 26

between the articular facets of the vertebrae

Question 27

what other structures are involved in intervertebral joints

Answer 27

ligaments