Bones and Joints of the Vertebral column Flashcards
1
Q
Functions of the vertebral column
A
- support upper body weight
- protect spinal cord and nerves
- allows trunk movement
2
Q
Regions and number of vertebrae in the vertebral column
A
- Cervical - 7 vertebrae
- Thoracic - 12 vertebrae
- Lumbar - 5 vertebrae
- Sacral - 5 fused vertebrae
- Coccygeal - 4 fused vertebrae
3
Q
Characteristics of vertebrae
A
- vertebral body
- vertebral foramen / canal
- vertebral arch
- pedicle
- transverse process
- articular process with articular facet - superior + inferior
- lamina
- spinous process
- superior / inferior intervertebral notch
4
Q
What are vertebrae bound by
A
- IV disc anteriorly
- Bone of the pedicle above & below
- Z joints posteriorly
5
Q
Size of vertebral foramen
A
C= Large heart shaped
T= medium cylindrical
L= smaller heart shaped
6
Q
Body
A
C= small
T= heart shaped
L= large kidney shaped
7
Q
Spinous process
A
C= Slender + bifid
T= Long and thick
L= Short and blunt
8
Q
Transverse Process
A
C= small
T= fairly large and thick
L= large and blunt
9
Q
Interbody joint
A
- intervertebral disc
Components - cartilage end plate
- annulus fibrosis
- nucleus pulposus
