Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Head and neck anatomy > Back Lecture 3 : Vertebral column, joints, ligaments > Flashcards

Back Lecture 3 : Vertebral column, joints, ligaments Flashcards

1
Q

The vertebral column consists of 33 vertebrae, namely :

A

7 cervical, 12
thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and
three to four coccygeal
vertebrae.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What do the sacral vertebrae fuse into?

A

The sacral vertebrae fuse into
a single bony element, the
sacrum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does the coccygeal vertebrae vary in? What does it often fuse into?

A

The coccygeal vertebrae vary
in number from three to four, and
often fuse into a single coccyx.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

When does the vertebrae become larger?

A

The vertebrae becomes larger as it descends to the sacrum, from T4
downwards.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is change in size related to?

A

Change in size is related to increase in body weight.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Where does the vertebrae reach its maximum size?

A

Just
above the sacrum, the vertebrae reaches its maximum size and the
weight is transferred to the pelvic girdle via the sacroiliac joint.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What does a typical vertebra contain?

A

A vertebral body, a vertebral and 7 processes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

The vertebral body is the…

A

weight bearing part and is linked to adjacent vertebra via intervertebral
disc and ligaments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Where does the size increase?

A

Size increases inferiorly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does the vertebral body consist of?

A

Spongy bone enclosed with compact bone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the superior and inferior surfaces covered with?

A

Superior and inferior surfaces are covered with hyaline cartilage ( absent in dried
specimens)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Describe the periphery.

A

Periphery is smooth- annular epiphysis, and unites to the centrum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What anchors the vertebral arch to the vertebral body?

A

Vertebral arch is anchored to the vertebral body by two pedicles, and consists
of pedicles and laminae.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What do the vertebral foramina form?

A

Vertebral Foramina together form the vertebral canal which contains the spinal
cord.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Where does the vertebral canal continue?

A

Vertebral canal continues superiorly with foramen magnum of the skull.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is each pedicle notched on?

A

Each pedicle notched on its superior and inferior surface- superior and inferior
vertebral notches which form the intervertebral foramen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Where does the spinous process project?

A

Spinous process projects posteriorly from the junction of two laminae.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Where do the 2 transverse process extend?

A

2 Transverse processes extend poster laterally from junction of lamina and pedicle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What do the 2 superior articular process and 2 inferior articular processes articulate?

A

2 superior articular process and 2 inferior articular process articulate forming
zygopophyseal joints.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Where does the spinal cord lie?

A

The spinal cord lies within

the canal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the spinal cord surrounded by?

A

Spinal cord is surrounded
by three connective tissue
membranes- meninges

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the pia mater intimately associated with?

A

Pia mater-innermost layer:
intimately associated with
the spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What separates the arachnoid mater from the pia mater?

A

Arachnoid materseparated from the pia
mater by the subarachnoid
space contains CSF

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What separates the dura mater from the bone?

A 
Dura mater-is separated 
from the bone by the 
extradural/epidural space 
containing loose connective 
tissue, fat, venous plexus.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Where do the 31 pairs of spinal nerves emerge?

A 
The 31 pairs of spinal 
nerves emerge from the 
vertebral canal between 
pedicals and adjacent 
vertebrae-intervertebral 
foramina
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

The 31 pairs of spinal nerves :

A

8 cervical(C1-C8), 12
thoracic (T1-T12), 5 lumbar
(L1-L5), 5 sacral(S1-S5), 1
coccygeal (Co)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What helps each spinal nerve to attach to the spinal cord?

A

Each spinal nerve is attached
to the spinal cord via anterior
and posterior roots.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What does each nerve do after exiting the vertebral canal?

A 
After 
exiting the vertebral canal via 
the intervertebral foramen 
each spinal nerve, branch off 
into anterior and posterior 
ramus.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is the intervertebral foramen formed between?

A

The foramen is formed between
adjacent vertebral arches and
related to intervertebral joints.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What are the superior and inferior margins formed by?

A

Superior and inferior margins are
formed by notches of adjacent
pedicles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is the anterior border formed by?

A

Anterior border is formed by the
intervertebral disc between the
vertebral bodies of the adjacent
vertebrae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What is the posterior margin formed by?

A

Posterior margin is formed by the
articular processes of the vertebral
arches and associated joints.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What can the pathology that reduces the size of the intervertebral foramen affect?

A 
Pathology that reduces the size of 
the intervertebral foramen eg. 
herniation of IV disc can affect the 
function of the associated spinal 
nerve
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What are the distinguishing features of the vertebrae?

A

The foramen transversarium of the cervical vertebrae and a thoracic vertebrae that has rib elements as well as a lumbar vertebrae with a large size

35
Q

The sacral vertebrae fuse into a…

A

large triangular bone

36
Q

The coccygeal vertebrae fuse into a…

A

small triangular bone

37
Q

A typical cervical vertebra[C3-C6] has the following features :

A 
1. Vertebral body is 
square shaped 
2. Each transverse 
process has foramen 
tranversarium
3. Spinous process is 
short and bifid
4. Vertebral foramen is 
triangular
38
Q

The Atlas(C1) and Axis(C2) are specialized to :

A

Accommodate the movement of the head

39
Q

Describe the Atlas.

A 
C1- major distinguishing 
factor-lacks a vertebral body. 
Ring shaped and composed of 
two lateral masses 
interconnected by anterior and 
posterior arch
40
Q

Atlas and Axis What does each lateral mass articulate with?

A 
Each lateral mass articulates 
with the occipital condyle 
(atlanto-occipital joint) and 
below with the sup articular 
facets of C2.
41
Q

Anterior arch-articular facet for

dens of C2. What holds the dens in position?

A

Dens is held in
position by the transverse
ligament of the atlas.

42
Q

What does the dens act as?

A

Dens acts as pivot that allows
the atlas and attached head to
rotate from side to side- atlanto-axial join

43
Q

What is the axis characterised by?

A

C2(axis) is characterised by the
dens which projects from the
vertebral body.

44
Q

What is the dens?

A

Dens are circular impressions for
alar ligament that connect the
dens to the medial surfaces of
the occipital bone.

45
Q

What does a typical thoracic vertebra have?

A

• Superior and inferior costal facets (partial facets) on each side of the
vertebral body for articulation with the head of the own rib and the
head of the rib below.
• Each transverse process has facet for articulation with tubercle of its
own rib.
• Vertebral body-heart shaped, vertebral foramen is round.

46
Q

Describe the Lumbar vertebra.

A

The Lumbar vertebra is large in size

47
Q

Lumbar vertebra : Describe the transverse processes.

A

Transverse processes are generally thin and long, except for L5
which is massive for attachment of illiolumbar ligament.

48
Q

Lumbar vertebra : Where is the mammillary process found?

A

The mammillary process is found on the superior articular facet

49
Q

Describe the vertebral body and the foramen.

A

Vertebral body is cylindrical and foramen is triangular.

50
Q

Describe the sacrum and how it is formed.

A

Five fused bones to form one triangular bone. Concave anteriorly.

51
Q

What does the sacrum articulate with above and below?

A

Articulates above with L5 and below with coccyx

52
Q

The sacrum has :

A
  • Laterally-two L shaped facets for articulation with the pelvic bones
  • Four pairs of anterior and posterior sacral foramina
53
Q

Describe the coccyx.

A

The coccyx is a small triangular bone with no vertebral canal

54
Q

The joints include :

A
  • Joints of the vertebral bodies
  • Joints of the vertebral arches
  • Craniovertebral joints
  • Costovertebral joints
  • Sacroiliac joints
55
Q

What are the joints of the vertebral bodies formed by?

A

Formed by layer of hyaline cartilage on each vertebral body and an
intervertebral(IV) disc which lies between the layers.- Secondary
cartilaginous joints

56
Q

What does an intervertebral disc consist of?

A

IV disc- outer annulus fibrosus and inner nucleus pulposus

57
Q

What do degenerative changes of the annulus fibrosus lead to?

A

Degenerative changes of the annulus fibrosus can lead to herniation
of the nucleus pulposus and cause impingement of spinal nerve
roots.

58
Q

UNCOVERTEBRAL
JOINTS : The lateral margins of a typical
cervical vertebrae are…

A

elevated uncinate processes

59
Q

What type of joints are uncovertebral joints?

A

Synovial joints

60
Q

What do the elevated uncinate processes articulate with?

A

These processes articulate with

the vertebral body above to form

61
Q

JOINTS OF THE
VERTEBRAL ARCHES:
Zyogpophyseal joints are…

A

synovial joints between the
superior and inferior articular
facets on adjacent vertebrae

62
Q

What does the articular capsule attach to and what does it enclose?

A

An articular capsule attaches to
margin of the articular facets and
encloses each joint

63
Q

CRANIOVERTEBRAL JOINTS:

A

ATLANTO-OCCIPITAL

AND ATLANTO-AXIAL JOINTS

64
Q

Craniovertebral joints are…

A

synovial joints with no IV discs

65
Q

What do atlanto-occipital joints permit?

A

Atlanto-occipital joints- permit flexion and extension-nodding
movement YES, synovial condyloid

66
Q

The atlanto-axial joint has…

A

3 articulations, 2 lateral atlanto-axial joints (plane), 1
median atlanto axial joint( pivot) pivot movement ( turning from side to
side)- NO

67
Q

The ligaments that support joints :

A
  • Anterior longitudinal ligament[ALL]

* Posterior longitudinal ligament[PLL]

68
Q

What is the anterior longitudinal ligament attached to superiorly?

A

Attached superiorly to the base of the skull
and runs the length of vertebral column to
insert inferiorly to the anterior surface of
the sacrum.

69
Q

Where is the posterior longitudinal ligament located?

A

On the posterior surface of the vertebral body

70
Q

The similarity between the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligament.

A

Like
the (ALL) attached along the length of the
vertebral column to IV discs and vertebral
bodies.

71
Q

What is the tectorial membrane?

A

Upper part of the PLL that
connects C2 to the base of the skull is
called the tectorial membrane.

72
Q

Where does the ligamenta flava/flavum lie and where does it run?

A

Lies between adjacent laminae on each side. Runs between the
posterior surface of the laminae below to the anterior surface the laminae
above.

73
Q

What does the ligamenta flava/flavum form?

A

Forms part of the vertebral canal

74
Q

The function of the ligamenta flava/flavum :

A

Function: resist separation of laminae during flexion and assist in
extension.

75
Q

What does the supraspinous ligament connect and where does it pass?

A

Supraspinous ligament: connects and passes along the tips of spinous
processes of C7-sacrum.

76
Q

Where does the ligamentum nuchae become distinct?

A

From vertebra C7 to skull the ligament becomes distinct- Ligamentum nuchae

77
Q

Describe the ligamentum nuchae.

A

• Ligamentum nuchae- triangular in median sagital plane.

78
Q

Attachments of the supraspinous ligament and the ligamentum nuchae :

A

Attachments: base- external occipital protuberance to foramen magnum

79
Q

Apex :

A

Apex- tip of spinous process of C7

80
Q

Functions of the supraspinous ligament and the ligamentum nuchae :

A

FXN: supports head, provides muscle attachment

81
Q

Where is the vertebrae positioned?

A

Positioned posteriorly in the

body at the midline.

82
Q

When the vertebrae is viewed laterally, it has…

A

4 curvatures

83
Q

Describe the primary curvature.

A

Primary curvature -concave
anteriorly- in the thoracic and
sacral regions

84
Q

Describe the secondary curvature.

A

Secondary curvatures -
concave posteriorly-in the
lumbar and cervical regions

Head and neck anatomy (22 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions