back / vertebral column

Question 1

vertebral column

Answer 1

transmits weight of trunk to lower limbs, surrounds & protects spinal cord, formed by 26 bones

Question 2

posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 2

narrow ligament running within the vertebral canal, resists hyperflexion

Question 3

anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 3

long, broad band that connects the anterolateral aspects of the vertebral bodies and IV discs, prevents hyperextension

Question 4

ligamenta flava

Answer 4

connects the lamina of adjoining vertebra, prevents side to side bending

Question 5

intervertebral discs

Answer 5

cushion-like pads between vertebrae, act as shock absorbers

Question 6

nucleus pulposus

Answer 6

remnant of notochord, enables spine to absorb compressive stresses

Question 7

anulus fibrosus

Answer 7

fibrous ring, outer collar of ligaments and fibrocartilage, bind vertebrae together, resist tension, and absorb compressive forces

Question 8

cervical vertebrae

Answer 8

7 vertebrae of neck region (C1-C7), small in size, greatest in range and variety of movement, transverse foramina

Question 9

thoracic vertebrae

Answer 9

12 vertebrae of thoracic region, provide attachment for ribs

Question 10

lumbar vertebrae

Answer 10

5 vertebrae of lower back, bear majority of the weight of the body, large in size, little rotation

Question 11

sacrum

Answer 11

5 fused vertebrae, connects vertebral column to the pelvis, no rotation

Question 12

coccyx

Answer 12

3-5 fused vertebrae, remnant of the tail, does not bear weight while standing but can flex when sitting, no rotation

Question 13

thoracic and sacral curvatures

Answer 13

primary, convex posteriorly

Question 14

cervical and lumbar curvatures

Answer 14

secondary, concave posteriorly

Question 15

vertebral foramen

Answer 15

a hole the spinal cord runs through, turns into vertebral canal

Question 16

arch

Answer 16

2 pedicles (sides of arch) and 2 laminae (posteriorly)

Question 17

atlas (C1)

Answer 17

no body or spinous process, supports the skull, allows flexion & extension of neck, base of skull & vertebral column, nodding head yes

Question 18

axis (C2)

Answer 18

has body & spinous process, dens project superiorly, acts as pivot for rotation of atlas and skull, shaking head no

Question 19

transverse foramina

Answer 19

hole in the middle, forms canal, passage for vertebral blood vessels

Question 20

costal facets

Answer 20

articulation with the ribs

Question 21

superficial (extrinsic) muscle group

Answer 21

function- movements of the upper limb (scapula)

Question 22

trapezius

Answer 22

elevates, retracts, and depresses scapula, can do every movement at the scapula except for protraction (pulling forward), innervated by spinal accessory nerve (CN11), 3 “heads” to the muscle

Question 23

levator scapulae

Answer 23

elevates the scapula (upward) & rotates, innervated by C3, C4, C5 spinal nerves, small tubular shaped muscle

Question 24

rhomboids (major and minor)

Answer 24

retract the scapula (backward movement, scapula come closer together), innervated by dorsal scapular nerve C4, C5, both muscles generally work in unison

Question 25

latissimus dorsi

Answer 25

extends, adducts, and medially rotates the humerus, innervated by thoracodorsal nerve, wide & thin, one one in the muscle group that inserts into the humerus

Question 26

intermediate muscle group (superficial group)

Answer 26

small and thin, involved in respiration & proprioception, attach rib cage inferiorly & superiorly

Question 27

proprioception

Answer 27

sensory innervation, gains info about where body is, no skeletal function

Question 28

deep (intrinsic) muscle group

Answer 28

function- trunk extension & posture maintenance, innervation- dorsal rami of spinal nerves, muscles are on the back and move the back, extend from skull to pelvis & form 3 columns

Question 29

transversospinales group

Answer 29

deepest muscles on the back, extension of the vertebral column