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Year 2 Term 2 Movement > Anatomy of the vertebral column > Flashcards

Anatomy of the vertebral column Flashcards

1
Q

How many vertebrae are considered to make up the vertebral column and what type?

A 
7 cervical
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
5 sacral
~4 coccygeal 
Total ~33 (some say 30 as coccyx can be considered as 1)
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2
Q

Intervertebral discs may up approximately how much of the length of the spinal cord?

A

1/4

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3
Q

A general vertebrae is made up of what 5 parts?

A

1) Body (weight bearing portion)
2) Vertebral arch (pedicles and lamina)
3) Articular facets (2 superior, 2 inferior)
4) Processes (2 transverse, 1 spinous)
5) Vertebral foramen

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4
Q

What is the difference between pedicles and lamina in a general structure of a vertebra?

A

Pedicles run between the body and root of the transverse processes
Laminae run from the root of the transverse processes and unite to form the spinous process

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5
Q

Where are the vertebral notches found?

A

Superior and inferior to the pedicles

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6
Q

What forms the boundaries of the intervertebral foramen?

A

Superior and inferior vertebral notches of adjacent vertebrae and the intervertebral disc

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7
Q

What travels through the intervertebral foramen?

A

Spinal nerves

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8
Q

Which nerve travels through the intervertebral foramen between T12 and L1?

A

The subcostal nerve (T12 spinal nerve)

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9
Q

What is the rough structure of a cervical vertebrae?

A

1) Smaller body with an elevated uncus laterally
2) 2 transverse processes contain an transverse foramen and also have anterior and posterior tubercles
3) Have 2 articular facets either side, superior directed superoposteriorly and inferior directed antero-inferiorly
4) Still have pedicles (although hard to distinguish from the transverse processes) and laminae
5) Spinous process is BIFID

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10
Q

What is the function of the anterior and posterior tubercles found on the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae?

A

Provide a sight of muscle attachment for scalene muscles of the neck. More sights of muscle attachment allows finer and more precise movements

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11
Q

What is the purpose of the BIFID spinous process found on cervical vertebrae?

A

Provides an extra sight for muscle attachment

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12
Q

What is the function of the foramina transversaria in the cervical vertebrae, what should be noted?

A

Allows passage of the vertebral artery and vein to/from the brain. Although it should be noted, they dont pass through C7

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13
Q

Why are the cervical vertebrae more prone to dislocation than the thoracic or lumbar vertebrae?

A

They have relatively flat articular facets - less bony congruity

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14
Q

Dislocation of the cervical vertebrae can vary in severity, name and describe 4 common dislocations?

A

1) Flexion sprain - articular facets still in contact, intervertebral disc squashed and supraspinous ligament torn
2) 25% subluxation - Facets have little contact, supraspinous ligament torn, displacement of intervertebral disc
3) 50% subluxation - 1 facet sits completely above the other, torn supraspinous ligament, some tearing of intervertebral disc
4) Complete dislocation (facet jumping) - 1 facet sits completely on the other side of the other, torn supraspinous ligament and completer tearing of the intervertebral disc

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15
Q

Subluxation of cervical vertebrae does not always compress the spinal cord, why?

A

Vertebral foramen is relatively wide

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16
Q

Which are the 2 atypical cervical vertebrae and what are they called?

A 
C1 = atlas
C2 = axis
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17
Q

What are the main differences between the atlas and a typical cervical vertebra?

A

1) Atlas has no spinous process or body - still has transverse processes containing transverse foramen
2) Each of the posterior arches have a lateral mass and a tubercle
3) Has an anterior and posterior tubercle
4) There is a tubercle on the medial surface of each lateral mass

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18
Q

What is the function of the tubercle on the medial surface of each lateral mass of the atlas (C1)?

A

For attachment of the transverse ligament which holds in place the dens of the axis

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19
Q

The lateral mass of the atlas is made up of what 5 components?

A

1) Transverse process
2) Transverse foramen
3) Superior articular surface of lateral mass for occipital condyle (seen on superior surface)
4) Inferior articular surface of lateral mass for axis (seen in inferior surface)
5) Tubercle for transverse ligament of atlas

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20
Q

How does the atlas articular with the skull?

A

Superior articular surface of lateral mass for occipital condyle

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21
Q

How does the axis (C2) differ from a typical cervical vertebra?

A

1) Has 2 large flat surfaces, the superior articular facets on which the atlas rotates
2) Has a dens (G. tooth) also known as the odontoid process, this has an anterior and posterior articular facet

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22
Q

Where does the dens sit and how is it held in place?

A

Dens passes through the foramen of the atlas, held in position by the transverse ligament of the atlas which prevents horizontal displacement of the atlas

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23
Q

What articulates with the anterior articular facet on the dens of the axis?

A

The anterior arch of the atlas

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24
Q

What articulates with the posterior articular facet on the dens of the atals?

A

The transverse ligament of the atlas

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25
Q

What is the function of the dens of the axis?

A

Acts as a pivot which allows the atlas and attached head to rotate from side to side

26
Q

Why is the dens prone to fracture?

A

Bone of the dens is less dense

27
Q

What 2 movements can commonly cause fracture of the dens?

A

1) Hyperflexion

2) Hyperextension

28
Q

Why is the spinal cord not usually affected in a fracture of the dens?

A

The dens is held in place by the transverse ligament therefore the spinal cord is usually not affected

29
Q

What percentage of fractures of the dens result in non-union?

A

30-50%

30
Q

What procedure can be carried out to repair a fracture of the dens?

A

Atlantoaxial arthrodesis using a bone graft from the iliac crest

31
Q

What is the rough structure of a thoracic vertebra?

A

1) Heart shaped vertebral body with superior and inferior costal-demi facets for articulation with ribs
2) Spinous process is long and projects posteroinferiorly
3) Transverse process has a costal facet for articulation with tubercle of rib
4) Articular facets - Superior faces posteriorly and inferior faces andteriorly

32
Q

Describe a costovertebral joint?

A

Head of rib articulates with the inferior demi facet of the superior vertebra and the superior demi facet of the inferior vertebra.

33
Q

Describe the costotransverse joint?

A

Costal facet of the inferior vertebra articulates with the tubercle of the rib. Superior costotransverse ligament runs between the rib and the transverse process of the superior vertebra

34
Q

What are the 3 distinguishing features of a lumbar vertebra?

A

1) Vertebral body is large
2) Articular facets - superior face medially and inferior face laterally
3) Spinous process is short and sturdy

35
Q

What are the sacral vertebra fused to form?

A

The sacrum

36
Q

No spinal cord is found in the sacrum, however there are spinal nerves which travel to their foramen, which foramen do they travel through?

A

Ventral rami travel through the anterior sacral foramen

Dorsal rami travel through the posterior sacral foramen

37
Q

What is the name of the joint between superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae?

A

Zygapophysial joints

38
Q

What determines the types of movements that are possible between vertebrae?

A

Orientation of the articular facets

39
Q

What 3 things hold vertebra together?

A

1) Zygapophysial joints
2) Intervertebral discs
3) Ligaments

40
Q

What determines the flexibility of an intervertebral disc?

A

The thickness

41
Q

What 2 parts are intervertebral discs made up of?

A

1) Annulus fibrosus - fibrocartilage ring attached to epiphysial rim of vertebral body (forms outer ring of disc)
2) Nucleus pulposus - gelatinous substance that acts as a shock absorber, lies inside the annulus fibrosus ring

42
Q

What are the 6 ligaments of the vertebral column?

A

1) Ligamentum flavum
2) Posterior longitudinal ligament
3) Anterior longitudinal ligament
4) Intertransverse ligament
5) Supraspinous ligament
6) Interspinous ligament

43
Q

What is the ligamentum flavum?

A

Binds the lamina of adjacent vertebrae

44
Q

What is the posterior longitudinal ligament of the vertebral column and what is its function?

A

runs from C2 to sacrum along the posterior surface of the body
prevents posterior herniation of IV discs

45
Q

What is the anterior longitudinal ligament of the vertebral column and what is its function?

A

Runs from the occipital bone and sacrum along the anterior surface of the bodies of the vertebrae
Only ligament to resist hyperextension of the vertebral column, all the others resist hyperflexion

46
Q

What is the supraspinous ligament?

A

runs between the ends of the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae

47
Q

What is the interspinous ligament?

A

Runs between the lengths of the spinous processes of adjacent vertebra

48
Q

What is the intertransverse ligament?

A

Runs between the ends of the transverse processes of adjacent vertebra

49
Q

What is whiplash?

A

Hyperextension of the cervical neck

50
Q

What is whiplash commonly caused by?

A

Rear-end car crashes particularly if the head rest is too low

51
Q

What ligament is torn in whiplash?

A

Anterior longitudinal ligament

52
Q

What occurs in severe cases of whiplash along with tearing of the anterior longitudinal ligament?

A

Part of the vertebral body is avulsed and vertebrae dislocate - compression of the spinal cord

53
Q

Why do movements in different regions of the spinal cord vary?

A

Depending on orientation of zygapophysial joints and thickness of intervertebral discs

54
Q

What are the 4 movements of the vertebral column?

A

1) Extension and flexion
2) lateral flexion
3) rotation

55
Q

What is the difference between primary and secondary curvatures of the vertebral column?

A

Primary are present in foetus

Secondary develop later

56
Q

What are the 4 curvatures of the spine, are they primary or secondary?

A

1) secondary cervical lordosis
2) primary thoracic kyphosis
3) secondary lumbar lordosis
4) primary sacral kyphosis

57
Q

What is the difference between kyphosis and lordosis?

A 
Kyphosis = c shape curving away from the body
Lordosis = c shape curving towards the body
58
Q

What is the function of the curvatures in the vertebral column?

A

Allows absorption of downward force

59
Q

Give 3 common abnormal curvatures of the spine?

A

1) Excessive kyphosis (of thoracic vertebrae)
2) Excessive lordosis (of lumbar vertebrae)
3) Scolliosis

60
Q

What is osteoporosis, who is it common in and what can it lead to?

A

Reduction in bone density due to loss of trabeculae
Most common in post menopausal females
Can lead to compression fracture of the vertebral column

61
Q

What are the 2 effects of ageing on vertebrae?

A

1) Loss of bone density with age leads to concave vertebral bodies
2) Concave bodies leads to increased force on rims of vertebrae and osteophytes develop in response

62
Q

Ageing of the IV discs can lead to herniation of the nucleus pulposus (slipped disc), where does this normally occur and what can it lead to?

A

Normally happens in posterolateral direction between L4/5 or L5/S1
Can compress lower spinal nerve roots leading to lower back pain or sciatica
In severe cases it can compress most of the cauda equina (a nerve bundle) leading to cauda equina syndrome

Year 2 Term 2 Movement (1 decks)

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