Back Flashcards
what are the functions of the vertebral column (5)
muscle attachment mobility protection of spinal cord weight transfer haematopoesis
how many of each type of vertebra are there
cervical = 7 thoracic = 12 lumbar = 5 sacral = 5 fused coccyx = 3-5
what are the primary curvatures
kyphosis
thoracic and sacral
what are the secondary curvatures
lordosis
cervical and lumbar
how is the cervical secondary curvature formed
when the baba lifts its head
how is the lumbar secondary curvature formed
when the baba learns to walk
what are the main parts of the vertebra (6)
body arches (made up of pedicles and laminae) spinous process 2x transverse processes 4x articular processes (2x superior, 2x inferior) vertebral notches
unique features of atlas (4)
no body or spinous process
anterior and posterior arches, each with a tubercle
large superior articular surfaces for articulation with occipital condyles
articular facet for dens on posterior surface of anterior arch
what is the function of the transverse ligament of atlas
holds the dens in place against its articular facet
unique features of axis (2)
dens/odontoid process projects upwards from body
flat superior articular facets to allow rotation of atlas
features of typical cervical vertebrae (4)
uncinate process on body
foramen transverarium
anterior and posterior tubercles with groove between on transverse process
bifid spinous process
what is the function of the foramen transversarium
allow passage of vertebral arteries
vertebral arteries are a branch of which artery
subclavian artery
what lies in the groove between the anterior and posterior tubercles on transverse processes of cervical vertebrae
spinal nerve
what is the uncinate process
rim of bone around the vertebral body to increase stability
features of typical thoracic vertebrae (3)
costal facets for articulation with ribs
articular facets nearly vertical, directed posteriorly (superior facet) or anteriorly (inferior facet)
long sloping spinous process
features of typical lumbar vertebrae
massive kidney shaped body
accessory process on each transverse process
mammillary process on each superior articular process
articular facets directs posteromedially and anterolaterally
why does the orientation of the articular facets change
thoracic: vertical to allow for axial rotation and limit flexion/extension
lumbar: oblique to allow flexion/extension and limit rotation
cervical: quite flat to allow wide ROM
describe the sacrum
wedge-shaped
smooth anteriorly
ridges on posterior surface
auricular surface articulates with ilia
what are the ridges on the posterior surface of the sacrum
median crest = fused spinous processes
intermediate crest = fused articular processes
lateral crest = fused transverse processes
what is the function of the superficial extrinsic muscles of the back
connect the appendicular skeleton to axial skeleton
what are the superficial extrinsic muscles oft he back
trapezius latissimus dorsi rhomboid major rhomboid minor levator scapulae
attachments of trapezius
medial 1/3 superior nuchal line, nuchal ligament, spinous processes C7-T12
to lateral clavicle, acromion and spine of scapula
innervation of trapezius
spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)
attachments of latissimus dorsi
spinous processes T7-12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, lower 3/4 ribs
to edge of bicipital groove of humerus
innervation of latissimus dorsi
thoracodorsal nerve (C6-8)
attachments of rhomboid major
spinous processes T2-5
to medial border of scapula (spine to inferior angle)
innervation of rhomboid major
dorsal scapular nerve (C4-5)
attachments of rhomboid minor
nuchal ligament, spinous processes C7/T1
to medial need of scapular spine
innervation of rhomboid minor
dorsal scapular nerve (C4-5)
attachments of levator scapulae
posterior tubercles of transverse processes C1-4
to medial border of scapula above spine
innervation of levator scapulae
cervical nerves C3-4
dorsal scapular nerve (C4-5)
what is the function of the intermediate extrinsic muscles of the back
superficial respiratory muscles
what are the intermediate extrinsic muscles of the back
serratus posterior superior
serratus posterior inferior
what are the attachments of serratus posterior superior
nuchal ligament, spinous processes C7-T3
to superior borders of ribs 2.4
innervation of serratus posterior superior
intercostal nerve 2-5
attachments of serratus posterior inferior
spinous processes T11-L2
to inferior borders of ribs 8-12 near angle
innervation of serratus posterior inferior
anterior rami T9-12
what is the function of the intrinsic muscles of the back
maintain posture and control movements of VC
how many layers are the intrinsic muscles of the back split into
superficial
intermediate
deep
where are the superficial intrinsic muscles found
in the neck only
what are the superficial intrinsic muscles of the back
splenius capitis
splenius cervicis
attachments of splenius capitis
nuchal ligament and spinous processes C7-T3/4
to mastoid process and lateral 1/3 superior nuchal line
attachments of splenius cervicis
nuchal ligament and spinous processes C7-T3/4
to tubercles of transverse processes C1-C3/4
what are the muscles of the intermediate intrinsic muscles of the back
erector spinae group
iliocostalis
longissimus
spinalis
what is the common attachment of erector spinae muscles
posterior iliac crest, posterior sacrum and sacroiliac ligaments, spinous processes of sacral and lower lumbar vertebrae, supraspinous ligament
what are the three parts of iliocostalis
lumborum, thoracic, cervicis
what are the attachments of iliocostalis
common attachment
to angles of lower ribs, cervical transverse processes
what are the three parts of longissimus
thoracis, cervicis, capitis
attachments of longissimus
common attachment
to ribs between tubercles and angles, thoracic and cervical transverse processes, mastoid process
what are the three parts of spinalis
thoracis, cervicis, capitis
attachments of spinalis
common attachment
to upper thoracic spinous processes, cranium
what are the deep intrinsic muscles of the back
semispinalis multifidus rotatores levator costarum interspinale intertransversari
parts of semispinalis
thoracis, cervicis, capitis
attachments of semispinalis
transverse processes C4-T12
to occipital bone, thoracic and cervical spinous processes
where is multifidus most developed
lumbar region
attachments of multifidus
transverse processes to spinous processes 2-4 vertebrae above
where is rotatores most developed
thoracic region
attachments of rotatores
junction of lamina and transverse processes to spinous process 1/2 vertebrae above
where is levator costarum located
in the thoracic region (costarum = ribs)
what is the action of levator costarum
raise ribs slightly
attachments of levator costarum
transverse processes to upper border of rib above
attachments of interspinale
adjacent spinous processes
where is interspinale most pronounced
cervical and lumbar regions
attachments of intertransversari
adjacent transverse processes
where is intertransversari most pronounced
cervical and lumbar regions
ligaments of the VC
anterior longitudinal ligament posterior longitudinal ligament ligamentum flavum supraspinous interspinous intertransverse nuchal
where does the anterior longitudinal ligament run
anterolateral aspect of vertebral bodies
from skull base to sacrum
how many layers is the anterior longitudinal ligament made up of and what are their attachments
3 layers
deep fibres bind adjacent vertebrae together
superficial fibres span multiple vertebrae together
what is the function of the anterior longitudinal ligament
limits extension
only ligament to limit extension of the VC
where does the posterior longitudinal ligament run
within the vertebral canal on the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies
travels from C2 to sacrum
what does the posterior longitudinal ligament attach to
IV discs and margins of vertebral bodies
what lies between the posterior longitudinal ligament and the vertebral bodies
fat and vessels lie between ligament and vertebral bodies
what is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament
support to posterior aspect of IV disc
prevents posterior herniation of disc
attachments of ligamenta flava
adjacent laminae
what type of fibres is the ligamenta flava made up of and why
strong elastic fibres
to help maintain curvatures of the VC
what are the functions of the ligamenta flava
helps to maintain curvatures
reinforces posterior wall of vertebral canal
limits flexion
what are the attachments of the interspinous ligaments
connects adjacent spinous processes along the length of the process
the interspinous ligament is strong/weak
weak
thin, membranous
attachments of supraspinous ligaments
connects tips of supraspinous ligaments
where does the supraspinous ligament start
C7
supraspinous ligament is strong/weak
strong
cord-like
attachment of inter transverse ligament
connect adjacent transverse processes
describe the inter transverse ligament in the different spinal regions
cervical: scattered fibres
thoracic: fibrous
lumbar: membranous
attachments of the nuchal ligament
external occipital protuberance, posterior border of foramen magnum, spinous processes C1-C7
what structure is the nuchal ligament continuous with posteriorly
supraspinous ligament
what is the function of the nuchal ligament
muscle attachment and limits flexion
where does the spinal cord end
L1/2
what is the end of the spinal cord called
medullary cone
where are the enlargement of the spinal cord located
cervical enlargement (C4-T1) lumbosacral enlargement (L1-S3)
what is the function of the spinal cord enlargements
innervation to limbs
what is the filum terminale
remnant of caudal part of spinal cord
what is the function of the filum terminale
anchors spinal cord to coccyx
what are the lateral extensions of dura mater called and what are their function
dural sheath
cover nerve roots
what is contained in the epidural space
internal vertebral venous plexuses
epidural fat
what is the enlargement of subarachnoid space around the conus medullar is called
lumbar cistern (L2-S2)
what are the denticulate ligaments formed from
extensions of Pia mater
where do the denticulate ligaments attach
run from either side of spinal cord between posterior and anterior nerve roots to dura
describe the main arterial supply of the spinal cord
1 anterior and 2 posterior vertebral arteries
run longitudinally from medulla oblongata to conus medullar is
arterial supply to nerve roots is by
radicular arteries
describe venous drainage of the spinal cord
3 anterior and 3 posterior spinal veins
where do the spinal veins drain
internal vertebral venous plexuses in the epidural space
