Back and Spinal Cord Flashcards
Components of vertebral column
Cervical (7), thoracic (12), lumbar (5), sacrum (about 5 fused), coccyx (3-4 fused)
Curvatures of spine and direction they curve in
2 primary (concave) and 2 secondary (convex)
Is first curvature primary or secondary?
secondary
lamina
separates traverse from spinous process
How do vertebrae create motion?
joints between articular processes
Cervical zygapophysial joint
sloped from anterior to posterior
Motions from cervical vertebrae
rotation, flexion, and extension
Thoracic zygapophysial joint direction and motion
vertical for rotation, flexion, and extension
lumbar zygapophysial joint
processes of vertebrae below are wrapping around processes of vertebrae above
What is the lumbar zygapophysial joint important for?
Stability
Cervical vertebrae
Triangular shaped vertebral canal with small, short vertebral body
Foramen transversarium
Bifurcated spinous process
Foramen transversarium
Provides place for vertebral artery to move down only cervical vertebrae
Atlas
C1
Axis
C2
Axis shape and function
50% of rotation in neck from specialized vertebral body (dens) shaped like a tooth
thoracic vertebrae
Round vertebral foramen, heart-shaped vertebral body, extra articulations for rib and vertebrae (costovertebral joints)
lumbar vertebrae
small triangular foramen and large cylindrical body
Zygapophysial joint
synovial joint that connects articular processes and allows or inhibits spinal motion
intervertebral discs
Solid joint symphyses that connects adjacent vertebrae and shock absorption
parts of intervertebral discs
annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus
Annulus fibrosus structure and functon
Ring of fibrocartilage, Limit rotation between vertebrae
nucleus pulposus structure and functon
Gelatinous center, absorbs compression forces
spinal ligaments and location
anterior and posterior ligaments, ligamentum flavum, supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament, and ligamentum nuchae
anterior vertebral ligament
courses along vertebral body prevents hyperextension of vertebral column
Posterior vertebral ligament
courses along vertebral bodies prevents hyperflexion of the vertebral column
Supraspinous ligament
connects adjacent vertebral spines, resists flexion in head
ligamentum nuchae
thickened extension of supraspinous and interspinous ligaments resists flexion in head
interspinous ligament
between adjacent spinous processes and blends with suprapsinous ligament and ligamentum flava