Anatomy of Vertebral column

Question 1

What is the spinous process and transverse process?

Answer 1

Projections which allow for muscle attachment on the vertebrae to enable movement

Question 2

What is the pedicle?

Answer 2

Projections on the vertebrae which provide side protection of the nerves and spinal cord and to connect the anterior and posterior aspects of the vertebrae.

Question 3

What is the vertebral arch?

Answer 3

Consists of the lamina of the vertebrae and the pedicles which lies between the spinous processes and the transverse processes. They protect the spinal cord.

Question 4

What is the atlas?

Answer 4

C1 vertebrae which forms an articulation with the occipital bone to form the atlanto-occipital articulation

Question 5

What is the axis?

Answer 5

C2 vertebrae which forms articulation with C1 called the atlanto-axis articulation.

Question 6

What is the role of the nucleus polpolus?

Answer 6

Gel which separates the vertebral bodies. When the outer vertebral fibres rupture, this is responsible for herniation of the spinal cord.

Question 7

What is the role of the annulus?

Answer 7

Fibrocartilage fibres which join the vertebral bodies.

Question 8

What is the role of the articular process of the vertebrae?

Answer 8

Allows for attachment to the adjacent vertebrae with superior and inferior articular process

Question 9

What is the vertebral foramen?

Answer 9

Space in the vertebrae where the spinal cord runs through.

Question 10

How does the vertebrae change down the vertebral column?

Answer 10

Vertebral body becomes larger and in the thoracic vertebrae, transverse processes articulate with the ribs.

Question 11

Which vertebrae do not have an intervertebral disc?

Answer 11

Atlas and axis

Question 12

What is a feature of the transverse process in the thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 12

Articulates with the ribs

Question 13

What is the superior articular process?

Answer 13

Articulates with the inferior articular process of the superior vertebrae

Question 14

What is the inferior articular process?

Answer 14

Articulates with the superior articular process of the inferior vertebrae

Question 15

What is the transverse foramen?

Answer 15

Allows for the entry of the vertebral artery, vein and the sympathetic nerve

Question 16

What is the epiphyseal rim?

Answer 16

secondary ossification centre of the vertebral body

Question 17

What is the nuchal ligament?

Answer 17

Fibrous tissue from the spinous process of T1 to the occipital protuberance to limit forward flexion of the head.

Question 18

What is the supraspinous ligament?

Answer 18

Fibrous cord which connects the spinous process of C7 to L3/L4.

Question 19

What is the ligamentum flava?

Answer 19

Connects the lamina of adjacent vertebrae from C2 to S1

Question 20

What is the interspinous ligament?

Answer 20

Connects adjacent spinous processes

Question 21

What is the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 21

Runs the length of the spine from C2 to the saccrum to stabilise the bones

Question 22

What is the erector spinae?

Answer 22

Long muscles originating from the sacrum and extend vertically up the length of the back

Question 23

What are the transversospinalis?

Answer 23

Rotatores, multifidus and semispinalis which flex and rotate the neck at the spinal joints

Question 24

What is the erector spinae?

Answer 24

Spinalis, longissimus and iliocostalis to laterally flex the spine and extend the back