ANATOMY - Vertebral Column Flashcards
What are the four functions of the vertebral column?
Maintenance of posture
Muscle attachment
Encloses and protects spinal cord
Protects structures of the neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvis
What type of bones are vertebrae?
Irregular bones
What are the seven main structures found in most vertebrae?
Dorsal spinous process
Transverse processes
Vertebral foramen
Vertebral body
Vertebral arch
Articular facets
Notches
What is the function of the dorsal spinous process and transverse processes?
Increase surface area for muscle attachment
Which structure is formed by the vertebral foramina when the vertebrae are aligned?
Vertebral canal
Which structure is contained within the vertebral canal?
Spinal cord
What are the names of the cranial and caudal surfaces of the vertebral body?
Cranial endplate
Caudal endplate
Which structures make up the lateral border of the vertebral arch?
Pedicles
Which structure makes up the dorsal border of the vertebral arch?
Lamina
What is the function of the articular facets?
Allow for articulation between the adjacent vertebrae
How many articular facets does each vertebra have?
Four articular facets
What type of joint is found between the adjacent vertebrae at the level of the articular facets?
Synovial joint
What is the name of the space between the endplates of adjacent vertebra?
Intervertebral disc space
Which structure is contained within the intervertebral disc space?
Intervertebral disc
What are the two components of the intervertebral disc?
Annulus fibrosis
Nucleus pulposus
What is the function of the nucleus pulposus?
Anti-concussive
What is the function of notches?
Notches align to form the intervertebral foramina which allow spinal nerves to exit the spinal cord and enter the periphery
What are the two unique features of cervical vertebrae?
Ventral projections on the transverse processes
Transverse foramina
What is the function if the ventral projections on the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae?
Point of attachment for hypaxial muscles
Which two structures pass through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae?
Vertebral artery
Vertebral vein
Which two cervical vertebrae are atypical?
C1 (atlas)
C2 (axis)
Which two structures are not present on the C1 (atlas) vertebra?
Vertebral body
Dorsal spinous process
Which structure is unique to the C1 vertebra (atlas)?
Wings (enlarged transverse processes)
Which two structures are unique to the C2 vertebra (axis)?
Elongated dorsal spinous process
Dens (additional vertebral body)
Which two joints make up the occipito-atlanto-axial complex?
Atlanto-occipital joint
Atlanto-axial joint
Which two structures articulate to form the atlanto-occipital joint?
Occipital condyles of the skull
C1 (atlas) vertebra
What is the range of movement for the atlanto-occipital joint?
Flexion and extension
Which two structures articulate to form the atlanto-axial joint?
C1 (atlas) vertebra
C2 (axis) vertebra
What is the range of movement for the atlanto-axial joint?
Rotation
Why is it beneficial to distribute the range of neck movement between the atlanto-occipital joint and atlanto-axial joint?
Reduces the risk of spinal cord damage due to excessive movement in this region
Why do thoracic vertebrae have such short transverse processes?
To allow for space for rib articulation
What is the function of the costal fovea on the thoracic vertebrae?
The costal fovea articulate with the head of the rib
What is the anticlinal vertebra?
The anticlinal vertebra is the thoracic vertebra with the shortest dorsal spinous process and is the point where the dorsal spinous processes will start to angle cranially rather than caudally
What is the function of the anticlinal vertebra?
Prevents overcrowding of the dorsal spinous processes when the vertebral column is hyperextended
Which thoracic vertebra is the anticlinal vertebra in dogs?
T11
Which thoracic vertebra is the anticlinal vertebra in horses?
T16
Why do lumbar vertebrae have such elongated transverse processes?
Increases surface area for abdominal wall muscle attachment
What are the five intervertebral ligaments?
Dorsal longitudinal ligament
Ventral longitudinal ligament
Interspinous ligaments
Interarcuate ligaments
Supraspinous ligament
Where is the dorsal longitudinal ligament located?
Dorsal longitudinal ligament runs along the dorsal aspect of the vertebral bodies
Where is the ventral longitudinal ligament located?
Ventral longitudinal ligament runs along the ventral aspect of the vertebral bodies
Where are the interspinous ligaments located?
Interspinous ligaments are located between the adjacent dorsal spinous processes
Where are the interarcuate ligaments located?
Interarcuate ligaments are located between the notches of the adjacent vertebrae
Where is the supraspinous ligament located?
Supraspinous ligament runs along the dorsal aspect of the dorsal spinous processes from T1 to Cd3
What is the nuchal ligament?
The nuchal ligament is a fibroelastic extension of the supraspinous ligament from T1 cranially to C2
What is the function of the nuchal ligament?
Passive support of the head
Which two species’ have a nuchal ligament?
Dogs
Horses
What are the two components of the nuchal ligament seen in horses?
Funicular part
Laminar part
Why is the nuchal ligament more developed in horses?
To support the larger and heavier equine head
