Canine Vertebral Column Flashcards
What is paresis?
Weakness
Less severe than paralysis
What are the functions of vertebral column?
Supports the body and maintain posture
Helps progression
Protects the spinal cord
Shields neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis
Spinal Cord
Within the vertebral column
Transfers signals between the body and brain
6 spinal nerves
Vertebral Column
Unpaired, irregular bones
Number varies in species
How many vertebrae are in dogs and cats?
50+
What are the 5 regions of the vertebrae?
- Cervical (neck)
- Thoracic (back)
- Lumbar (loin)
- Sacral (croup)
- Caudal (tail)
Clinical significance of the cervical vertebrae
You can’t palpate the c. vertebrae because it’s located in the middle of the neck
Vertebral Column formula for the dog
C7/ T13/ L7/ S3/Cd20-23
Vertebral Column formula for the cat
C7/ T13/ L7 /S3/ Cd21-23
What are the two articulations of the typical vertebrae?
- Bodies: intervertebral disc
- Arches: synovial and plane
Clinical significance of the lamina of the typical vertebrae
Laminectomy (take out both lamina) or hemilectomy (one side) with herniated disc
What makes up the arch of the typical vertebrae?
Pedicle and lamina
What are the bones of the vertebrae?
- Body
- Arch
- Vertebral foramen/ canal
- Spine
- Transverse process
- Cranial and caudal articulate surfaces
What is the first cervical vertebrae?
Altas
Atlas
Palpable
No spine or body
Foveae (modified articular process)
Wings (shelf like transverse processes)
What is the second cervical vertebrae?
Axis
On the atlas what is palpable?
Wings
What comes out of the lateral vertebral foramen?
First cervical spinal nerve
What is the point of articulation of the atlas?
Atlantoccipital hinge joint (moves up and down)
Axis
Elongated ridge- like spine (P)
Body projects cranially (dens)
Cranial articular surface located in body
What does the dens of the axis form?
The atlantoaxial pivot joint (moves side to side)
Of the cervical vertebrae which ones are typical?
The remaining 5
What does the 7th vertebral column lack?
Transverse foramen and has the highest spine
What are the foramen of the vertebral column?
Lateral vertebral foramen (first cervical spinal nerve)
Transverse foramen (vertebral artery and vein)
Intervertebral foreman (spinal nerves and spinal blood)
Vertebral surgical approach for slip disk
Ventral (easiest): skin —> sternocephal. —> sternothyoidius —> trachea —> esophagus—> Longus coli
Lateral (second easiest)
Dorsal (hardest)
Why is the dorsal the hardest vertebral surgical approach?
The esophagus sits dorsal to the trachea and it turns left when approaching the thorax
Thoracic vertebrae
13
Articulates with (13) ribs
Cr. and cd. Costa foveae/ rib head
Transverse fovea/ rib tubercle
What is the 11th thoracic vertebrae classified as?
Anticlinal, shortest and straight
Lumbar Vertebrae
Longer, uniform bodies
Long transverse process
Absence of costal facets
Short cranially pointing spine
Sacrum
3 vertebrae fused at the spine (P)
4 foramina
1st (cranial foramen) and 2nd (ventral) sacral spinal nerves
Foramen of the sacral
Two pair of dorsal sacral
Two pair of ventral sacral
What joint does the sacrum form?
The articular surface with the ilium forms the sacroiliac joint
Sacroiliac joint
Synovial/ fibrous joint
Shock absorber
Adds firmness