Back Anatomy I Flashcards
what is the difference between a plane and a section
a plane is an imaginary cut through the body, a section is an actual cut through the body
what is the function of the vertebral column?
it is the main support of the body axis, protects the spinal cord, contains skeletal muscle attachment points
How many bones are contained in the vertebral column of a human adult over the age of 25?
26 bones
How many bones are contained in the vertebral column of a human adult under the age of 25?
33 bones
Which two curvatures of the vertebral column are the primary curvatures?
the thoracic and sacral curves (kyphosis)
the thoracic and sacral curves are (concave/convex) posteriorly
convex
the cervical and lumbar curves are (concave/convex) posteriorly
concave
What two curvatures of the vertebral column are secondary curvatures?
cervical and lumbar curves (lordosis)
what is the function of the vertebrae?
main support of the body axis, protects the spinal cord, skeletal muscle attachment and movement
the spinous and transverse processes serve as _____ and ________ attachment sites
muscle and ligament
what is a laminotomy?
when a piece of the lamina is cut off to access the spinal cord
what do the superior and inferior vertebral notches form?
the intervertebral foramen, an exit point for spinal nerves
What forms the zygapophyseal joints?
articulation between inferior articular processes and facets with superior articular processes adn facets of the vertebrae immediately inferior
What happens to the spinal nerve after it passes through the intervertebral foramen?
bifurcates into two major branches, one heads dorsally and the other anteriorly
moving inferiorly, the vertebral bodies (increase/decrease) in size in relationship to (increased/decreased) weight bearing, and the size of the vertebral canal changes in relationship to the _______ of the spinal cord
increase, increased, diameter
What kind of bones do vertebral bodies consist of?
largely of trabecular (spongy) bone that is covered by a relatively thin layer of compact bone
What are the end plates that cover the superior and inferior surfaces of the vertebral bodies composed of?
hyaline cartilage surrounded by smooth bony epiphysial rims
What are the main identifiers of cervical vertebrae?
wider but not thick bodies, transverse foramina located in the transverse processes, bifid spinous processes with the exception of C1 and C7
In the cervical vertebrae, which way do the superior facets face?
superoposteriorly (up and back)
In the cervical vertebrae, which way do the inferior facets face?
inferoanteriorly (down and forward)
What is the vertebra prominens?
large spinous process on C7 that can be seen and felt through the skin
T/F there are intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies between the skull and axis
false
What does the atlas articulate with on the skull, what motion does this allow for?
articulates with the occipital condyles of the skull which allows for flexion and extension.
What are the atlantooccipital joints (2) formed by?
The articulation of the large facets of the atlas with the occipital condyles
What does the atlas (C1) consist of?
anterior and posterior arches and lateral masses (superior and inferior articulating surfaces
What does the axis (C2) consist of?
body, spinous and transverse processes
what is the odontoid process formed by?
it is the missing body of the atlas that fuses with the axis during development
What is the function of the odontoid process
acts as a pivot point from the rotation of the atlas and skull, allows for the no motion
T/F there is a disc between the atlas and axis
false
What causes a Jeffersons burst fracture?
force pushing down onto the head that bursts the atlas
Where does the vertebral artery enter the vertebral column? where does it head?
C6, up towards skull
What artery forms when the vertebral artery reaches the skull? What does this new artery supply blood to?
basal artery, posterior part of the brain
The transverse foramina give passage to the vertebral artery and vein and __________ nerves
sympathetic
Where do the vertebral artery and vein usually pass in front of rather than the foramen in C7
transverse process
Where do the beams head in an AP film?
anterior-posteriorly
Where do the beams head in a lateral film?
laterally
Where do the beams head in an APOM film?
anterior-posteriorly with an open mouth
What does an APOM film allow us to see?
axis and atlas
What is an odontoid fracture? Why is this bad?
When there is a crack or break in the odontoid process, if the neck is moved this can impale the spinal cord
T1 has a fully formed _________ _________ facet, why is this important?
superior costal, the first rib doesn’t touch C7, and articulates only on T1
What does the rib head articulate with in thoracic vertebrae?
inferior costal facet of superior vertebrae and superior costal facet of inferior vertebrae
How many facets do most thoracic vertebrae bodies contain? what are they called?
2 facets, superior and inferior costal facets
T10 - 12 have fully formed _______ facets. Which ribs do these vertebrae articulate with
single
T10 - 10th rib
T11 - 11th rib
T12 - 12th rib
In thoracic vertebrae, spinous processes are _____ and directed ________
long, inferiorly
What do the transverse processes of T1-T10 contain that articulate with the rib tubercle?
transverse costal facets
In thoracic vertebrae, _______ ________ facets face posterior and inferior and ____________ __________ facets face anterior, this allows for what kind of movement, and limits what kind of movement?
superior articulating, inferior articulating, allows for rotation, limits flexion and extension
What is spondylolysis?
stress fracture in the vertebral arch
What is the pars interarticularis, where is it located?
region of lamina between the inferior and superior articular processes of joint
What do you look for in an oblique film? How do you know if there is a break/ fracture?
scotty dogs, scotty dog with a collar indicates a break or fracture
What are 2 idenitfying features of lumbar vertebrae?
body is robust, vertebral arch and processes are short and thick.
Why are lumbar vertebral bodies so robust?
weight bearing, must be able to withstand pressure
Why are the lumbar vertebral processes and arches short and thick?
for the attachment of large muscles
IN lumbar vertebrae, ________ _______ facets face posteromedial and the __________ _______ facet faces anterolateral, what kind of movement foes this allow for, and what kind does it restrict?
superior articulating, inferior articulating
allows for flexion and extension but limits rotation
What is the sacrum composed of?
fusion of 5 sacral vertabrae
what is the sacrum?
fused vertebrae that forms the posterior wall of the pelvis ( amrked by transverse lines and ridges
The sacrum articulates with ____ through ________ _______ processes and facets and _________ discs
L5
superior articulating processes and facets
intervertebral
_____ articulates with the ______of the pelvis to form the sacroiliac joints
ala, ilia
What are the median crests of the sacrum composed of?
fused spinous processes
What are the lateral crests of the sacrum composed of?
fused transverse processes
Branches of spinal nerves exit through the _________ (ventral ramii) and _______(dorsal ramii) sacral foramina
anterior and posterior
The _______ canal is a continuation of the vertebral canal
sacral
What is the sacral hiatus?
the end of the sacral canal
The Coccyx is comprised of _________ fused vertebrae and articulates with the sacrum at the ___________ ________
3-5, sacral apex
Although described as vestigial, the coccyx does provide insertion points for multiple ________, __________, __________, and __________.
muscles, ligaments, tendons, and filum terminale
What is the filum terminale?
fibrous extension of the spinal cord
