Back: Vertebral Column Flashcards
Vertebral Column
- Vertebrae + disc
- Semi-rigid
- Provides stability, support, and permits motion
Vertebrae
- 7 Cervical
- 12 Thoracic
- 5 Lumbar
- 5 Sacral (fused)
- 4 coccygeal (fused)
Vertebral Discs
- All vertebrae have a disc except
- Occ/C1 and C1/2
Primary Curve
- Develop during fetal life
- Concave anteriorly
- Thoracic and sacral curves
Secondary Curve
- Develop in infancy and childhood
- Concave posteriorly
- Cervical and lumbar curves
Curves in Vertebral Column
- Result of AP height differences of the bodies/disc
- Contribute to the flexibility and shock absorbing capacity
Vertebral Arch
- Pedicle + lamina
Vertebral Body
- Provides strength and supports weight
7 Processes that Arise from the Arch
- 2 Superior articular processes
- 2 Inferior articular processes
- 1 Spinous process
- 2 Transverse processes
Function of Processes
- Serve as sites for muscle/ligament attachment and joint formation
Vertebral Foramen
- Arch + Body
- Anterior boundary: disc, body, PLL
- Posterior: laminas
- Lateral: pedicle
Intervertebral Notch
- Forms intervertebral foramen
- Allows the passage of the spinal nerves, spinal arteries, intervertebral veins
Joints Between Vertebral Bodies
- Intervertebral discs
Joints Between Vertebral Arches
- Facet joints (zygapophyseal joints)
Craniovertebral
- Upper cervical joints of the vertebral column
Cosotvertebral
- Joints between ribs and thoracic vertebrae
Sacroiliac
- Joints that connect axial to pelvic girdle
Vertebral Bodies + Disc
- Symphysis joint (fibrocartilage)
- No disc between Occ/C1 and C1/C2
Vertebral Body Functionality
- Cervical and lumbar have greatest relative thickness
- Influences range of motion
- Lowest functional disc is L5
Vertebral Column Ligaments
- ALL: sacrum to occiput
- PLL: sacrum to body of C2
Intervertebral Discs
- 25% length of vertebral column
- Fibrocartilage
- Permit movement, flexible
- Absorbs shock
Two Parts of Intervertebral Discs
- Annulus Fibrosis
- Nucleus Pulposus (gelatinous)
Annulus Fibrosis
- Lamellae of collagen fibers
- Successive layers runs at different angles
- Outer portion has innervation and blood supply
Nucleus Pulposus
- High water content (80%, declines with age)
- Remnant of notochord
- Avascular, aneural
Uncovertebral Joints (Joints of Luschka)
- Cervical spine, C3-7
- Between uncinate process and vertebral body above
- Not considered a joint by some
Osteophytes (Bone Spurs)
- Presence on the uncovertebral joints can compress spinal nerves
Facet (Zygapophyseal Joints)
- Synovial, planar joints
- Between hyaline cartilage covered articular facets
- Allow gliding movements
- Shape and orientation dictate movement
- Limit extension
- Innervated by dorsal primary rami of multiple levels
Cervical Motion of Facet Joints
- All motions