Bones and bony landmarks of the spine: vertebral column Flashcards
How many bones are there in the vertebral column, and what are these bones?
33 vertebrae, which are bony segments
In the vertebral column, what structure separates individual vertebrae?
Fibrocartilagenous intervertebral disc
What are the 5 regions of the vertebral column in cranial-caudal direction?
Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal
What 2 bones make up a vertebra?
Vertebral body
Vertebral arch
What is the vertebral body, what structure lines 2 of its surfaces and what separates individual?
Anterior, weight-bearing bone of vertebra
superior and inferior surfaces are lined with hyaline cartilage
separated from other vertebral bodies by fibrocartilaginous intervertebral disc
What aspects of vertebrae are made up by the vertebral arch, and what structure is formed from the fusion of the vertebral arch with the vertebral body?
Vertebral arch makes up posterolateral aspect
Forms vertebral foramen
When all of the vertebral foramen of each vertebra line up, what spinal structure does this form?
Vertebral canal: Spinal cord runs through here
How many bony processes does the vertebral arch have, and where are they?
7 processes in total:
5: Spinous process
6: 2 Transverse processes
4 articular processes
Where is the pedicle, and what vertebral process does it connect to the vertebral body?
3
Pedicle connects vertebral body to transverse process
Where is the lamina, and which 2 vertebral processes does it connect?
4
Lamina connects transverse and spinous processes
How many superior and inferior articular processes does each vertebral arch have, and what joints do they form?
2 superior (2), 2 inferior (1)
The inferior articular process/facet (1) of the vertebral arch above joins with the superior articular process/facet (2) of the vertebral arch below to form the facet/zygapophysial joint
What is the name of the joint that forms between the inferior and superior articular facets/processes of subsequent vertebral arches?
Facet/zygapophysial joint
How many cervical vertebrae are there in the spinal column?
7
How many thoracic vertebrae are there in the spinal column?
12
How many lumbar vertebrae are there in the spinal column?
5
How is the spinous process of cervical vertebrae different to those of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?
Cervical vertebrae have bifid spinous process: bifurcates (splits into 2 branches) at distal end
Thoracic and lumbar vertebrae are not bifid, is one branch
Describe the shape of the vertebral foramen in thoracic vertebrae compared to cervical and lumbar vertebrae?
Thoracic: Circular
Cervical, lumbar: Triangular
Which type of spinal vertebrae have transverse foramen, and why?
Cervical
Transverse foramen: enclosed hole in transverse process through which vertebral arteries travel to brain
Which type of spinal vertebrae has demi facets, and what is their function?
Thoracic vertebrae
Demi facets: bilaterally paired, with one pair each on the superolateral and inferolateral surfaces of the vertebral body, a pair of demi facets articulate with the heads of 2 different ribs
Eg. shaft of rib 2 articulates with inferior demi facet of T1 and superior demi facet of T2
Which type of spinal vertebrae has costal facets, and what is their function?
Thoracic vertebrae
Costal facets: area of articulation with shaft of single rib, that is located on transverse process
Eg. costal facet on T2 articulates with shaft of rib 2
Compare the size and shape of vertebral bodies of cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?
Cervical and thoracic are smaller, oval-shaped
Lumbar is much larger and kidney-shaped
Where is the anterior longitudinal ligament, and what is its function?
6
Thick ligament that runs down vertebral column, along anterior surfaces of vertebral bodies
Prevents hyperextension
Where is the posterior longitudinal ligament, and what is its function?
5
Posterior longitudinal ligament: ligament that runs down vertebral column length, along posterior surfaces of vertebral bodies
Prevents hyperflexion
Where is the ligamentum flavum, and what is its function?
1
Thick, segmental (between consecutive vertebral segments) ligament that runs between lamina of adjacent vertebrae
Where is the interspinous ligament, and what is its function?
3
Thin ligaments that connect adjacent spinous processes: Attaches to processes
Limit flexion
Where is the supraspinous ligament, and what is its function?
4
Thin ligaments that connect adjacent spinous processes: Attaches to tips of processes
Limit flexion
Where is the intertransverse ligament, and what is its function?
7
Sheet-like, weak ligaments connecting adjacent transverse processes
Limit flexion and rotation
What is the difference between supraspinous and interspinous ligaments in the spine?
Supraspinous: between tips of adjacent spinous processes
Interspinous: between middle of adjacent spinous processes
