back and vertebral column Flashcards
how many vertebrae are in the: cervical thoracic lumbar sacral coccygeal
C-7 T-12 L-5 S-5 fused CC-4 fused
ribs articulate with which region of the spine
thoracic
what is located between the spinous process and the vertebrae AND houses the spinal cords/nerves
vertebral canal
t/f: we are born with the same curvature of our spine that we have as adults
F: as a fetus it’s concave spine to anterior direction
as a newborn the curvature has begun but isn’t at it’s final form
*some curvatures remained in their same shape
what are the primary curvatures of the spine
Thoracic and sacral regions
secondary curvatures of spine
cervical and lumbar
kyphosis
hunchback
thoracic spine extremely curved
head pushes forward
lordosis
swayback
lumbar spine exxagerated curvature
excess weight in lower abdomen
scoliosis
lateral curvature of spine (R or L)
possible rotation of spine
one hip and/or shoulder is higher
which abnormal spinal curvature is common in pregnant women
lordosis
how many transverse, articular, and spinous processes are there in each vertebrae
spinous - one
transverse- two laterally
articular - four (two on top and two on bottom - used to connect w vertebrae stacked on it)
what are intervertebral discs composed of
annulus fibrosis - outer ring of collagen and fibrocartilage in layers
nucleus pulposus - fibrogelatinous center, shock absorber
what type of joints are intervertebral discs
fibrocartilaginous joint
symhysis - type of solid joint
which area of the annulus fibrosis ring has less thickness
posterior
what causes a herniated disc (herniation of the nucleus pulposus)
degenerative changes in the annulus fibrosis (probably posterior side)
what is a vertebral foramen stenosis and what does it cause
a constricted canal with decr diameter
causes impingement of spinal cord and/or nerves
age causes
increased concavity of the vertebral bodies
what causes people to lose 1/4 or 1/2 inch per decade after 40 or 50 yo
decr in bone density in the vertebral body
what two vertebrae are the only ones to have a name
C1- atlas
C2- axis
what structure on the axis allows pivot rotation for the head to move left and right
odontoid process (dens)
what structure articulates with the base of the skull
superior articular facet of the atlas (C1)
-allows nodding heading yes (flex/extend)
which vertebrae has the largest vertebral body
lumbar
-cervical is the smallest
wich vertebrae is the only one with transverse facets and why
thoracic to articulate w ribs
which vertebrae has transverse foramina
cervical
what structure on the sacrum holds the last lumbar vertebrae
sacral promontory
what is the name of the area bn the sacrum and coccyx
sacral hiatus
what is the purpose of anterior and posterior foramen on the sacrum
where dorsal and ventral primary rami of S1-S4 nerves exit
list the vertebral ligaments from posterior to anterior
supraspinous –> interspinous –> ligamentum flavum –> posterior longitudinal ligament –> anterior longitudinal ligament
role of the posterior and anterior longitudal ligaments
posterior - prevents hyperflexion
anterior - prevents hyperextension
role of supra and interspinous ligaments
both connect adjacent spinous processes
role of ligamentum flavum
connects adjacent lamina
the supraspinous ligament thickens in the cervical region and is called the
ligamentum nuchae
facet joints are an example of what type of joint
whats its function
synovial joints
limit movement bn vertebrae, protect from excess rotation and flexion, facilitate rotation in thoracic spine
intervertebral joints (vertebrae-vertebrae) are an example of what type of joint whats its function
symphyses which is a type of solid joint
minimize friction, weight bearing, shock absorption, restricted movements
costovertebral (rib-vertebrae) joints are an example of what type of joint
function
planar (gliding) joint aka a type of synovial joint
allows movement of ribs during respiration
how many vertebrae are in the spinal cord
how many nerves
33 vertebrae 31 nerves (think minus atlas and axis)
how many nerves are in the cervical and coccygeal regions
8 cervical
1 coccygeal
*rest are the same number as there are vertebrae
where does the first cervical nerve emerge bn
skull and C1
diff bn C2-C7 nerves and C8 nerves
C2-7 superior to pedicles
C8 inferior to pedicleof C7
where do the T1-CC nerves emerge
inferior to pedicles
area of nerves in spine that looks like horse tail
cauda equina
where does lumbar puncture occur (i.e. at what VERTEBRAE) and why
at L4-L5 bc the conus medullaris ends at L2-L3
what procedures can lumbar puncture be used for
diagnosing CNS disorders
see if blood is present from trauma or hematoma
inject anesthesia
what is lumbar puncture
spinal tap
withdrawal of CSF from lumbar cistern
where is epidural anesthesia administered
epidural space and penetrates the same ligament as lumbar puncture
diff bn lumbar puncture and epidural puncturing
LP - inside of the dura
Epi - outside the dura
what structures are penetrated in LP and epidural
Both: Supraspinous ligament –> interspinous –> ligamentum favum
Epi stays in that space but LP punctures the dural sac
diff bn extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the back
extrinsic origin in 1 part of the body and insert in another (superficial layer)
intrinsic start and end in the back (deep layer of muscles)
intrinsic muscles of the back contribute to what motions
extension (flexion done by abs)
lateral flex / entension
rotation of upper trunk, head, and neck
what muscles of the back are extrinsic and whats their function
traps
lats dorsi
rhomboids major and minor
function in upper extremity
what muscles of the back are intermediate and whats their function
serratus posterior superior
serratus posterior inferior
function in respiration - don’t move back
what nerve innervates extrinsic and intermediate muscle
ventral primary rami **
*might be confusing since ventral means front and were talking about back
function of the erector spinae (intrinsic muscle)
bilateral contraction –> extend spine and head
unilateral contraction –> laterally flexes spine
list the 3 erector spinae muscles and where they insert and originate
spinalis - insert on spinous processes
longissimus - insert on transverse processes
iliocostalis - insert ribs
all 3 origin: thoracolumbar fascia
all the intrinsic muscles (including all the groups) are innervated by what nerve
dorsal primary rami
functions of the splenious group (intrinsic muscles)
bilateral contraction –> extends head and neck
unilateral contraction –> laterally flex neck
origin and insertion for the splenius capitus and splenius cervicis
capitus (“head”)
- origin: nuchal ligament and spinous process
-insert: posterior base of skull and mastoid process
cervicis (V shape)
- origin: thoracic spinous process
-insert: cervical transverse processes
transcersospinalis group (intrinsic) contains
semispinalis
multifidus
rotatores
semispinalis action
bilaterally extends spine and head
unilaterally rotates spine to contralateral side
rotatores and multifidus action
bilaterally extends spine
unilaterally rotate spine to contralateral side
what are the divisions of semispinalis
capitus
cervicis
thoracic
how many vertebrae does the semispinalis thoracis, multifidus, and rotatores span
SS thor - 4 to 6
multi - 2 to 4
rot - 1 to two
doral primary rami supply nerve fibers to
joints of the vertebral column
DEEP muscles of back (including erector spinae, transversospinalis, and splenius group)
overlying skin
which primary rami merges to form a major somatic nerve plexus (ex. brachial plexus)
ventral priamry ramus
what does the ventral primary ramus supply nerves to
everything not listed by dorsal
dermatomes
segment of unilateral layer of skin innervated by the sensory (incoming) fibors of a single spinal nerve
myotome
segment of unilateral muscle mass innervated by motor (outgoing) fibers of a single spinal nerve
where the spinal cord terminates is called the
conus medullaris
