Back and Spine Flashcards
Number of vertebrae
33 vertebrae
Curvatures of the vertebral column
Anterior and posterior
What are the curvatures of the vertebral column
Cervical: lordosis
Thoracic: kyphosis
Lumbar: lordosis
Sacral: kyphosis
When does primary curvature develop?
During fetal period
concave anteriorly
When does secondary curvature develop?
Develops later due to posture
What are the abnormal curvatures of the vertebral column?
excessive kyphosis
excessive lordosis
scoliosis
Scolosis is in what plane?
lateral plane; lateral deviation
What are the features of typical vertebrae?
Body
Arch
Processes (7)
Body of vertebrae
gives strength
transmits body weight
size increases from cervical to lumbar
Arch of vertebrae
two pedicles
two laminae
where muscles attach
Transverse and spinous processes
Articulate with each other
connected via lamina
What are the processes of the vertebrae?
1 spinous
2 transverse
4 articular (2 superior and 2 inferior)
Pedicles
forms arch between body and spinal processes; protects and supports back muscles
Lamina
connection between transverse process
Vertebral foramen
spinal cord goes through this hole
Spinous process function
muscle attachment and movement
Articular process function
restriction of movement
Vertebral arch function
protection of spinal cord
Vertebral body function
support of body weight
Vertebral canal
nerve roots continue through here
Intervertebral foramen
Each spinal nerve exits through intervertebral foramen
Clinical correlate: Intervertebral foramen
bone spurs can compress spinal nerves and have nerve pain
How many cervical vertebrae and spinal nerves are present?
7 cervical vertebrae and 8 spinal nerves
C1-C7
exit IV foramen superior to corresponding vertebra
C8
exit IV foramen inferior to corresponding vertebra
Importance of C1
only motor; no sensory
C1 and C2
Atlas and Axis
C1 articulates with occipital condyles on skull (atlanta-occipical joint)
C1/C2 joint: atlantoaxial joint
C1 (atlas)
no body; no spinous process
“yes” movement
vertebral artery
distinctive feature: holes on side
C2 (axis)
dens projects superiorly = pivot around which atlas rotates
“no” movement
Regional differences in vertebrae
Cervical vertebrae have a foramen in transverse process for vertebral artery
Thoracic vertebrae have costal facts for articulation with ribs
Lumbar vertebrae have very large bodies, short spinous processes
Movements of the vertebral column
Lateral flexion/extension
Rotation of the head and neck/upper trunk
Extension and flexion
Intervertebral joint
between vertebral bodies
symphysis; joint has a disc that allows free movement and absorbs shock
components of intervertebral joint
annulus fibrosus - outer fibrous concentric rings
Nucleus pulposus -gelatinous central mass
Zygapophyseal joints
between articular processes
permits gliding between articular processes
Dorsal scapular nerve
C4/C5
Transverse cervical artery
superficial branch
deep branch
Erector spinae muscles
lateral to medial
Iliocostalis
Longissimus
Spinalis
Thoracolumbar fascia
sit on top of erector spinae muscles
Function of erector spinae muscles
Extend the spine
common origin: iliac crees, sacrum via thoracolumbar fascia
Iliocostalis
ribs; transverse process
Longissimus
ribs, transverse process, mastoid process
Spinalis
inserts into spinous processs
Action of the erector spinae group
Bilaterally - spine extension
Unilaterally - lateral flexion of the spine
Clinical correlate: herniated disc
Most often L4/L5 or L5/S1
Think about orientation of the pelvis
Major prob: Herniation of nucleus pulpous; compression of nerve roots
Innervation of erector spinae group
Dorsal rami of spinal nerve
Spinal stenosis
narrowing of the foramen within the vertebral body
congenital or acquired stenosis
osteophytes
Laminectomy
Removal of spinous process to free up the canal area
Radiculopathy
pinched nerve, refers to a set of conditions in which one or more nerves are affected and do not work properly (a neuropathy). This can result in pain (radicular pain), weakness, numbness, or difficulty controlling specific muscles
Clincal correlates: Spina Bifida
congenital defect in spinal column
Spina bifida occulta
Spina bifida cystica
Spina bifida occulta
laminae of L5 and/or S1 don’t fuse
covered by skin but location indicated by hair tuft or birthmark, 10=20%
Spina bifida cystica
> 1 vertebral arches don’t develop at all –> herniation of meninges (meningocele) or spinal cord (meningormyelocele)
