Back and spinal cord Flashcards
What does the vertebral column comprise of?
- 7 cervical
- 12 thoracic
- 5 lumbar
- 5 sacral (fused)
- 4 coccygeal (last 3 fused) vertebrae.
What are primary curvatures of the vertebral column?
thoracic curvature and sacral curvature
What are secondary curvatures of the vertebral column?
cervical curvature and lumbar curvature
When do secondary curvature develop?
during infancy as children begin to bear the weight of the head, sit up, stand, and support their own weight
What does the cervical and lumbar spine allow for?
greater movement than the other regions of the vertebral column
What do intervertebral discs separate?
separate individual bodies of adjacent vertebrae (except the first 2 cervical vertebrae, called the atlas and axis, and the fused vertebrae of the sacrum and coccyx)
When is scoliosis?
An accentuated lateral and rotational curvature of the thoracic or lumbar spine is called scoliosis
What is kyphosis?
An accentuated flexion of the thoracic spine is kyphosis (hunchback)
What is lordosis?
an accentuated extension of the lumbar spine is lordosis (swayback)
What are the first 2 cervical vertebrae?
atlas and acid
What does the cervical vertebrae allow and consist of?
- Allows considerable movement
- Body, pedicle, lamina and spinous process
What do the transverse process of the cervical vertebrae contain?
The transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae contain the foramen transversarium (transverse foramen), which allows for passage of the vertebral vessels
What is the 7th cervical vertebra called?
Vertebra prominens cause of long spinous process (usually 1st spinous process one can visualise and easily palpate)
What is a cervical disc herniation?
- Cervical disc herniation (a herniation of the nucleus pulposus) usually occurs in the absence of trauma and is often related to dehydration of the nucleus pulposus.
- Motor and sensory loss may occur if the herniation compresses a nerve root or the spinal nerve.
- Common cervical sites of herniation include the C5-C6 or C6-C7 intervertebral discs.
What do thoracic vertebrae have?
Costal facets
What does the superior costal facet articulate with?
the head of the corresponding rib
What does the inferior costal facet articulate with?
with the rib below
What does the transverse costal facet articulate with?
the tubercle of the corresponding rib
What encloses the vertebral foramen?
The body, pedicle, and lamina enclose the vertebral foramen, which houses the spinal cord and its meningeal coverings
How are the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae orientated?
The spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae are long and oriented posteriorly
What is the thoracic region restricted by?
The thoracic region of the spine allows for some movement but is constrained by the articulation of the ribs to the vertebrae posteriorly and the sternum anteriorly
What is the thoracic cage?
- The thoracic vertebrae articulate with the ribs and provide a stout “thoracic cage” that protects the thoracic viscera
- Movement of the thoracic spine is limited compared with the lumbar and cervical spine