Anatomy of the Vertebral Column

Question 1

what are the components of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

skin, subcutaneous tissue, vertebral column, spinal cord and meninges, ribs, nerves and vessels and muscles

Question 2

what are the functions of the vertebrae?

Answer 2

protect spinal cord, support body weight, transmit weight, posture and locomotion, pivot head and axial skeleton

Question 3

How many lumbar segments are there?

Answer 3

12T, 5L and 5S, 7C

Question 4

describe the vertebrae segments?

Answer 4

cervical are small and increase in size to lumbar. There are many tiny joints in the column with discs inbetween the vertebrae and facet joint more posteriorly

Question 5

what is the function of the discs?

Answer 5

shock absorption and flexibility

Question 6

what are the primary curvatures and what does this mean?

Answer 6

primary means that they are seen in the foetus - these are the thoracic and sacral kyphoses and the secondary develop after these - cervical and lumbar lordoses

Question 7

what is a common cause of kyphosis?

Answer 7

osteoporosis

Question 8

what is scoliosis?

Answer 8

the lateral sitting of the spine - individual vertebral bodies rotate giving a lateral curvature

Question 9

describe the general plan of vertebrae?

Answer 9

they are smaller at top and larger lower. Articular facets are regions of facets that articulate with vertebrae above and below. there is a spinous process in midline for attachment of ligaments and muscles, the vertebral foramen is the hole between body and arch of spinal cord to pass through

Question 10

what is the function of the vertebral arch?

Answer 10

attachments and site for spina bifida

Question 11

what happens in spina bifida?

Answer 11

content of the canal herniate out as no arch protecting it and therefore there are neurological symptoms as a result

Question 12

what are unique factors of Cervical vertebrae?

Answer 12

modified transverse process and transverse foramen is unique with a more triangular shaped and large foramen

Question 13

why is the cervical spine more prone to subluxation and dislocation?

Answer 13

the articular facets are more on a horizontal plane

Question 14

which artery supplies the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 14

the vertebral artery and it comes from the subclavian

Question 15

which vertebrae are highly atypical?

Answer 15

C1 and 2

Question 16

what is the dens held in place by?

Answer 16

the transverse ligament of atlas to maintain the stability of the joint

Question 17

why is the dens prone to fracture?

Answer 17

it is less dense and can be caused by hyperextension or hyperflexion

Question 18

how would you assess dens?

Answer 18

get patient to open mouth wide and see articulation at back between atlas and axis

Question 19

describe the thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 19

the vertebral body is heart shaped with superior and inferior costal demifacets for articulation with the head of the rib. The spinous process is long and the transverse process has a costal facet for articulation with the tubercle of the rib. The articular facets - superior faces posteriorly and inferior anteriorly. There is a round foramen

Question 20

in costovertebral joints what does the head of the rib articulate with?

Answer 20

the superior demifacet of the corresponding vertebrae and the inferior demifacet of the vertebrae above

Question 21

which vertebrae are most commonly fractured in the thoracic spine?

Answer 21

T11 and T12

Question 22

what does osteoporosis lead to?

Answer 22

excessive thoracic kyphosis, height loss, pain and reduced mobility

Question 23

what does ageing do to vertebral bodies?

Answer 23

there is loss of bone density and therefore there is concavity in the vertebral bodies

Question 24

describe the lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 24

there are large vertebral bodies with articular facets of which the superior faces medially and the inferior laterally. The spinous process is more short and sturdy and it can take more weight of body. There is no articulation with ribs and a triangular smaller foramen.

Question 25

why are fractures between the transverse processes and fragmented fractures so serious?

Answer 25

can go into the region of the vertebral canal - potential neurological damage

Question 26

what is spondylolisthesis?

Answer 26

movement of one vertebrae on another - most commonly in the lumbar spine

Question 27

what muscles make up the erector spinae?

Answer 27

the longissimum, iliocostalis and spinalis

Question 28

what is the function of the erector spinae?

Answer 28

chief extensor of the back

Question 29

what is the annulus fibrosis?

Answer 29

the peripheral fibrocartilage attached to the rim of the vertebral body

Question 30

what is the nucleus pulposus?

Answer 30

a central, gelatinous shock absorber

Question 31

what does the sponginess allow them to do?

Answer 31

deform with pressure and respond to stimulus

Question 32

what are the most usual sites of IV disc herniation?

Answer 32

L4/5 or L5/S1

Question 33

what surgical procedure is used to decompress spinal contents if a disc prolapses immediately posteriorly?

Answer 33

laminectomy - incision between both lamina or pedicles can be transected to release compression

Question 34

what are the three ligaments in the vertebrae and what do they do

Answer 34

the anterior longitudinal - occipital bone and C1 to sacrum - resist hyperextension
posterior longitudinal - C2 to sacrum - prevent posterior herniation of IV discs
ligamentum flavum - binds lamina of adjacent vertebrae - prevent hyperflexion and flexion in C spine

Question 35

what is whiplash and what are the complications in severe cases?

Answer 35

flexion or extension of cervical spine. In severe cases, part of the vertebral body is avulted and posterior part of the body dislocates resulting in compression of spinal cord