Back Osteology Flashcards
Which cervical vertebrae are atypical?
C1
C2
C7
In the atlas, the posterior arch contains a groove for what?
Vertebral artery
The atlas contains a tubercle laterally for what?
Transverse ligament
What is transmitted in the transverse foramen of the cervical vertebrae?
Vertebral artery
CN: What can happen when there is a blow to the top of the head from a falling object, or there is a diving accident?
Both arches of the Atlas can be fractured, known as Jefferson or Burst fracture
This fracture alone usually won’t injure spinal cord, but if the transverse ligament is ruptured then the odontoid process may injure the spinal cord.
CN: Where is the axis susceptible to fracture?
Odontoid process and the vertebral arch
What is the term for a fracture of the vertebral arch in the axis?
Hangman’s fracture
Hangman’s fracture usually occurs due to what?
Hyperextension of the head on the neck (not both the head and neck as in whiplash)
CN: What can occur after a horizontal blow to the head?
Fracture of the odontoid process
Since the transverse ligament is stronger than the odontoid process, it breaks.
T/F. The best prognosis for an odontoid fracture is when it breaks at its base.
False. If the odontoid process breaks at its base, it will usually not heal because the transverse ligament is holding it away from its blood supply. If the odontoid process breaks inferior to the base, it is much more likely to heal.
List the unique features of cervical vertebrae.
Bifed spinous process Large, triangular vertebral foramen Transverse foramen Costotransverse Bar Anterior and posterior tubercles on transverse processes Uncinate processes
CN: This is a bony defect that refers to a developmental abnormality in which the vertebral lamina fail to fuse and close off the vertebral canal.
Spina bifida occulta
Where does spina bifida occulta most commonly occur?
L5
S1
If spina bifida also includes neural tissue and meninges then it is called…
Spina bifida cystica
Which cervical vertebrae transmit the vertebral artery?
C1-C6
What is special about C7’s appearance?
It has a long and well pronounced spinous process
What is the name for C7?
Vertebra prominens
Since the articulating facets of cervical vertebrae are more horizontal than the other vertebrae it requires less force to dislocate them, but why does this not usually result in damage to the spinal cord?
Due to the large vertebral foramen of the cervical vertebrae
These vertebrae provide attachment for the ribs.
Thoracic vertebrae
The head of each rib articulates with the (SUPERIOR/INFERIOR) costal demifacet of the thoracic vertebrae above the rib number and the (SUPERIOR/INFERIOR) costal demifacet of the same number.
Inferior
Superior
***For example, rib 7 articulates superiorly (inferior costal facet) with thoracic vert. 6, and with the superior costal facet of thoracic vert. 7 (and the transverse costal facet of thoracic vert. 7)
The rib has an articular facet of the tubercle, which articulates with the transverse costal facet on the thoracic vertebrae of which number?
The same number as the rib
What are the unique features of thoracic vertebrae?
- Small, round vertebral foramen
- “Heart” shaped vertebral body
- Well pronounced lamina
- Strongly, inferiorly directed spinous process
- The facets that articulate with ribs
***Looks like a giraffe
This is a degenerative joint disease which involves calcification of the edges of the vertebral body and can cause localized pain and stiffness.
Spondylosis
This is the term for when there is separation of the vertebral arch from the vertebral body (aka fracture).
Spondylolysis
Anterior displacement of the vertebral body on the inferior vertebral segment (slides forward) is known as __________. This can occur secondarily to __________.
Spondylolisthesis (**Fracture AND displacement)
Spondylolysis (**Only fracture)
T/F. Each rib head meets with one thoracic vertebrae above and below.
True. Ribs articulate with the one number less vertebrae and the same number vertebrae.
What part of the rib interacts with the thoracic vertebrae?
– Superior articular facet (rib) to Inferior costal demifacet (thoracic vertebrae)
– Inferior articular facet (rib) to Superior costal demifacet (thoracic vertebrae)
– Articular facet of tubercle (rib) to Transverse costal facet (thoracic vertebrae)
The tubercle on the rib possess an articular part with an articular facet (to vertebrae) and nonarticular part that is the attachment point for the…
Lateral Costotransverse L.
The body of the rib has a costal angle and a costal groove. The costal groove houses what?
Intercostal nerve and vessels
What are the unique features of the lumbar vertebrae?
- Large, oval-shaped vertebral foramen
- Long, slender transverse process
- Large “kidney” shaped vertebral body
- Mammillary process
- Accessory process
- Short sturdy “hatchet” shaped spinous process
***Looks like a moose
What does the vertebral foramen of lumbar vertebrae transmit?
Spinal cord
Conus Medullaris (tapered end of spinal cord -- L1/L2)
Cauda Equina ("Horse-tail")What does the vertebral arch consist of?
Lamina (between spinous process and transverse process)
Pedicle (between body and transverse process)
At the base of the lumbar vertebrae transverse process there is what? What is it the attachment for?
Accessory process
Intertransversarii muscles
In lumbar vertebrae, this is a part of the superior articular process and attaches…
Mammillary process
Multifidi muscles and Intertransversarii muscles
Narrowing of the lumbar vertebral foramen is known as lumbar _______ _______ and may cause compression of one or more spinal nerve roots. When this condition is further compounded with intervertebral disc bulging, arthritic proliferation and ligamentous degeneration the vertebral canal is considerably more compromised.
Spinal stenosis
***Swelling/closing down of vertebral foramen
A lumbar puncture or spinal tap is an important diagnostic procedure for evaluating a variety of CNS disorders. A needle is inserted between either the _______ vertebrae or the _______ vertebrae at the level of the iliac crests. This level is chosen to avoid injuring the spinal cord. As the needle passes through the ligamentum flavum it ______ and passes into the lumbar cistern deep to the spinal dura and arachnoid mater. CSF can then be drawn out and evaluated.
L3/L4
L4/L5
Pops
The posterior arch of the atlas (C1) has a groove for what?
Vertebral artery
This part of the sacrum is from fused spinous processes.
Median sacral crest
The sacrum was formed from ______ fused vertebrae. The base (top) contains the superior surface of _____.
5
S1
This part of S1 (the base) is the anteriorly projecting edge of the vertebral body and is the sacral contribution to the Pelvic Brim.
Sacral Promontory
The Sacral Ala project laterally and contain the _______ _______ of the sacrum, which interacts with the _______ _______ of the _______.
Auricular surface
Articular surface
Ilium
List the sacral crests from most medial to most lateral.
Median sacral crest
Medial (Intermediate) sacral crest
Lateral sacral crest
What is the medial sacral crest composed of?
Fused articulating processes
What is the lateral sacral crest composed of?
Fused transverse processes
This is the term for the partial or complete incorporation of the L5 vertebral segment into the sacrum.
Sacralization (of the L5 vertebra)
This is the term for the separation of the S1 vertebrae from the sacrum.
Lumbarization (of the S1 vertebra)
The (DORSAL/VENTRAL) surface of the sacrum is rough and convex, while the (DORSAL/VENTRAL) surface is smooth and concave.
Dorsal
Ventral
This is lateral to the Lateral Sacral Crest, and forms the fibrous articulation with the Iliac Tuberosity.
Sacral Tuberosity
The Posterior (Dorsal) Sacral Foramina (smaller than Anterior Sacral Foramina), transmit ________ ________ of Sacral Spinal nerves.
Posterior ramus
This is a resultant gap left by the absence of Lamina and Spinous Process of S5.
Sacral Hiatus
This part of the sacrum projects inferiorly and is from Inferior Articulating Processes of S5.
Sacral Cornua (horns)
The Anterior Sacral Foramina (larger than posterior) transmit what?
Anterior Ramus (of Sacral Spinal nerves)
This is composed of 3-5 fused vertebrae, an embryological remnant.
Coccyx
Abrupt falls on the lower back and difficult childbirth can result in bruising, dislocation or fracture of the ________.
Coccyx
_________ can follow coccygeal trauma, it is painful and difficult to treat.
Coccygodynia
What does the sacral canal transmit?
Cauda Equina
The vertebral column is described as having Primary and Secondary curvatures. The primary curvatures are what? The secondary curvatures?
Primary – Thoracic and sacral kyphoses
Secondary – Cervical and lumbar lordoses
This is the term for the exaggerated curving of the thoracic vertebral column, resulting in “hump-back”.
Kyphosis
This is the term for the exaggerated curving of the lumbar vertebral column, resulting in “sway-back”.
Lordosis
This is the term that refers to the lateral curving of the spine, either to the right or left.
Scoliosis
