Anatomy Wk 2 Flashcards
What is the vertebral column
- extending from the cranium to the apex of the coccyx
- protects the spinal cord and nerves
- supports the weight of the body superior to the level of the pelvis
-plays an important role in posture and locomotion
What happens before birth
- the spine consists of 33 separate bones called the vertebrae
- 9 of these eventually fuse to form the two composite bones, the sacrum and coccyx, that construct the inferior portion of the vertebral column
Name the segmentation of the vertebral column
LOOK AT GOODNOTES TEXTBOOK
33 segments
Cervical segment - 7 vertebrae
Thoracic segment- 12 vertebrae
Lumbar segment - 5 vertebrae
Sacral segment- 5 vertebrae
Coccygeal segment- 4 vertebrae
What are the spinal curvatures
Primary- thoracic and sacral convex
Secondary- cervical and lumbar concave
When are the primary curvatures present
When we are born
When are the secondary curvatures present
They develop sometime after birth
Name the abnormal curvatures
Kyphosis- abnormal increase in the thoracic curvature
Lordosis - anterior rotation of the pelvis producing an abnormal increase in the lumbar curvature
Scoliosis abnormal lateral curvature that is accompanied by rotation of the vertebrae
Scoliosis-abnormal lateral curvature that is accompanied by rotation of the vertebrae
LOOK AT GOODNOTES BOOK FOR ABNORMAL CURVATURES
Describe the body or centrum
Disc - like, weight - bearing part of the vertebra facing anteriorly in the vertebral column
Describe the structure of the vertebral arch
Arch formed from the joining of all posterior extensions, the laminae and pedicels, from the vertebral body
Describe the vertebral foramen
Canal through which the spinal cord passes
What are the transverse processes
Two lateral projections from the vertebral arch
What is the spinous process
Single projection arising from the posterior aspect of the vertebral arch
What is the superior articular and inferior articular process
Paired projections lateral to vertebral foramen, allowing a vertebra to form joints with adjacent vertebrae
LOOK AT GOODNOTES NOTEBOOK
What does the typical vertebrae consist of
Vertebral body and vertebral arch
Extending from the vertebral arch are a number of processes from a vertebral arch are a number of processes fro muscle attachment and articulation with adjacent bone
What is the vertebral body
Major weight bearing part of the vertebrae and is linked to adjacent vertebral bodies by in-vertebral discs and ligaments
LOOK AT GOODNOTES BOOK
Where is the vertebral arch
Firmly anchored tot he posterior surface of the vertebral body by two pedicles, which form lateral pillars of the vertebral arch
The roof of the vertebral arch is formed by right and left laminate which fuse to the midline
Where are the vertebral arch aligned
Form the lateral and posterior walls of the vertebral canal which extends to the first cervical vertebra (c1) to the last sacral vertebra (s5)
What is the function of the vertebral arch
Bony canal contains the spinal cord and its protective membranes, together with blood vessels, connective tissue, fat and proximal part of the spinal nerves
What are the characteristic projections of the vertebral arch
- attachment for muscles and ligaments
- levers for the action of muscles
- sites of articulation with adjacent vertebrae
Where does the spinous project project from
Posteriorly and inferiority from the roof of the vertebral arch
Each vertebra also contains…
Rib elements
Where are the typical cervical vertebrae
C3 through to C7
Describe the cervical vertebrae
Smallest, lightest vertebrae and most often their spinous processes are short and divided into two branches
What do the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae contain
Foramina (openings) through which the vertebral arteries pass on their way to the brain above
LOOK AT GOODNOTES TEXTBOOK
What is the transverse foramen
Is an opening that is occupied by the vertebral artery and vein
What is the atlas
Vertebra C1 articulates with the head. It’s major distinguishing feature is that it lacks the vertebral body
What does the vertebral body of C1 fuse to
Body of C2 during the development to become the dens of C2 as a result there is no invertebral disc between c1 and c2
What are the atlas and axis specialised to do
Accommodate movement of the head
What does each lateral mass articulate with
An occipital condyle of the skull and below with the superior articular process of the vertebra C2 (the axis)
What are the transverse processes of the atlas
Large and protrude further laterally and act as levers for muscle action
What is the axis characterised by
The large tooth like dens, which extends superiority from the vertebral body
Describe the anterior surface of the dens
Oval facet for articulation with the anterior arch of the atlas
How many thoracic vertebrae are there
12 (T1 to T12) are all typical
Describe the size of the thoracic vertebrae
Larger than cervical vertebrae and by the fact that they are the only vertebrae to articulate the ribs
Describe the transverse process of the thoracic vertebrae
Articulate with tubercles of the ribs
What is the spinous process
Long and hook sharply downward causing the vertebra to like a giraffes head
LOOK AT GOODNOTES BOOK
Describe the lumbar vertebrae
5 (L1to L5). Has massive block like bodies that are shaped like a kidney bean
Larger and heavier than those of other regions
LOOK AT GOODNOTES BOOK
What is the sacrum
Is formed by the fusion of 5 vertebrae - each winglike ala articulates laterally with the hip bone forming a sacroiliac joint - forms posterior wall of the pelvis
What is the coccyx
Is formed by the fusion of 4 or 5 tiny irregularly shaped vertebrae
LOOK AT GOODNOTES BOOK
What is intervertebral foramina
The foramen is formed between adjacent vertebral arches and is closely related to intervertebral joints
- the superior and inferior margins are formed by notches in adjacent pedicles
- the posterior margin is formed by the articulation processes of the vertebral arches and associated joints
- the anterior border is formed by the intervertebral disc
LOOK AT GOODNOTES BOOK
What are the joints of the vertebral column
- joints of vertebral bodies
- joints of vertebral arches
- craniovertebral joints
- sacroiliac joints
What are the two major types of joints between vertebrae
Symphyses between vertebral bodies
Synovial joints between articulation processes
LOOK AT GOODNOTES BOOK
What is the symphysis formed by
Layer of hyaline cartilage on each vertebral body and invertebral disc which lies between layers
What does the intervertebral disc consist of
Outer annulus fibrosis - which surrounds a nucleus pulposus -> which is gelatinous and absorbs compression forces between vertebrae
What are the joints between vertebral arches called
Zygapophysical joints
Where are the zygapophysical joints
The synovial joints between superior and inferior articular processes on adjacent vertebrae
What are uncovertebral joints
The lateral margins of the upper surfaces of typical cervical vertebrae are elevated into crests or lips and termed as uncinate processes
What are ligaments
Joints between vertebrae are reinforced and supported by numerous ligaments which pass between vertebral bodies and interconnect components of the vertebral arches
What is the anterior longitudes ligament
Is attached superiority to the base of the skull and extends inferiorly to attach to the anterior surface of the sacrum
- along its length it is attached to the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs
What is the posterior longitudinal ligament
On posterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies and lines the posterior surface of the vertebral canal
What is ligamenta Flava
On each side, pass between the laminae of adjacent vertebrae
- resist separation of the laminae in flexion and assist in extension back to the anatomical position
Where does the supraspinous ligament connect and pass
Along the tips of the vertebral spinous processes from vertebra C7 to the sacrum
What is the vertebra C7 to the skull called
Ligament is called ligamentum nuchae
What is the structure and function of ligamentum uncharted
Is a sheet like structure in the medial Sagittal plane
Supports the head - it resists flexion and facilitates returning the head to the anatomical position
What are interspinous liagments
Pass between adjacent vertebral spinous processes
They attach from the base to the apex of each spinous process and blend with a supraspinous ligament posteriorly and the ligamenta flava on each side
Typical spinal curvature of a baby and adult
Baby c shaped
Adult s shaped
