Ch. 9 Vertebral Column Flashcards
What forms the central axis of the skeleton?
vertebral column; or spine
Where is the vertebral column centered?
The midsagittal plane (MSP) of the posterior part of the trunk
List 4 functions of the vertebral column:
- Encloses and protects the spinal cord
- Acts as a support for the trunk
- Supports the skull superiorly
- Provides for attachment to the deep muscles of the back and the ribs laterally
The vertebral column articulates with each ___ at the sacroiliac joints.
This articulation supports the vertebral column and transmits the weight of the trunk through the hip joints to the lower limbs.
Hip Bone
The vertebral column is composed of small segments of bone called ____.
Disks of fibrocartilage are interposed between the vertebrae and act as cushions.
Vertebrae
How many vertebrae make up the vertebral column?
33
7 Cervical
12 Thoracic
5 Lumbar
5 Vertebra Fused together, Sacrum
4 Vertebra Fused together, Coccyx
What are the most superior vertebrae called?
How many are there?
7 superior-most vertebrae occupy the region of the neck and are termed Cervical Vertebrae
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12, lying in the dorsal, or posterior portion of the thorax
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5
The upper three regions remain distinct throughout life and are termed:
True or moveable or false or fixed ribs?
True or moveable
The pelvic segments in the two lower regions are termed:
True or moveable or False or fixed ribs?
False or fixed because of the change they undergo in adults
Viewed from the side, the vertebral column has four curves that arch ____ and ____ from the ___ plane of the body.
- Anteriorly
- Posteriorly
- Midcoronal
The cervical and lumbar curves, which are convex anteriorly, are called _____ curves.
Lordotic Curves
The thoracic and pelvic curves are concave anteriorly and are called ___ curves.
Kyphotic Curves
What curves are considered secondary? (develop after birth)
Cervical and Lumbar Curves
What curves are considered primary? (present at birth)
Thoracic and Pelvic Curves
When does the cervical curve develop?
When the infant starts to hold their head up, about 3-4 months
When does the lumbar curve develop?
When the child begins to walk, about 1 to 1 1/2 years of age
An abnormal increase in the anterior concavity of the thoracic curve is called?
Kyphosis
An abnormal convexity of the cervical and lumbar curve is called?
Lordosis
An abnormal lateral curvature of the spine is called?
Scoliosis
A typical vertebra, is composed of what two main parts?
Anterior mass called the body and a posterior ringlike portion called the vertebral arch
- Body and Vertebral Arch
The vertebral body and arch enclose a space called?
Vertebral foramen
What forms the vertebral canal?
vertebral foramina
What separates the vertebral bodies?
Intervertebral disks
What forms the vertebral arch?
2 pedicles and 2 laminae
What projects laterally and slightly posteriorly form the junction of the lamina?
Transverse process
What vertebra is a ring-like structure with no body and a very short spinous process?
Atlas - C1
What projects posteriorly and inferiorly from the junction of the lamina?
Spinous process
What vertebra has a strong conical process arising from its upper surface?
Axis - C2
What vertebra has a long prominent process that projects almost horizontally to the posterior?
C7 - vertebral prominins
What type of vertebrae have small, transversely located, oblong bodies with slightly elongated antero-inferior borders?
Typical cervical vertebrae
What projection of the c-spine will show the IVF (intervertebral foramen)?
Oblique
What projection of the T-Spine will show the IVF (intervertebral foramen)?
Lateral
What projection of the c-spine will show zygapophyseal joints?
Lateral
For an AP open-mouth projection, how do you adjust the head?
Aligned from the lower edge of the incisors to the tip of the mastoid process is perpendicular to the IR
How will having the patient phonate “ah” during the exposure place the tongue?
The floor of the mouth
Where is the CR for an AP open-mouth projection?
Perpendicular to IR and entering at midpoint of open mouth
How do you know when the position for an AP open-mouth cannot be improved?
When the upper central incisors and the base of the skull are in line with those of the tips of the mastoid processes
For an AP axial projection of the c-spine, how do you position the patient?
Extend the chin so the occlusal plane is perpendicular to the tabletop so that the mandible is out of the way of the base of the skull
Where do you center the IR for an AP axial c-spine?
Is there a tube angle?
C4 at an angle of 15-20 degrees cephalad
Why do we angle the CR for an AP axial projection?
It opens the intervertebral disk spaces
What is the method name for a lateral c-spine?
Grandy Method
How do you position the patient for a lateral c-spine?
Standing, with the shoulder against IR and the long axis parallel to the IR
Adjust until IR is centered at the level of C4
Where will the top of the film be for a lateral c-spine?
1 inch above the external acoustic meatus (EAM) (Ear Canal)
Where is the CR for a lateral c-spine?
Perpendicular to C4
For an AP axial oblique projection of the c-spine, how do you position the patient’s body?
Facing away from the IR at a 45-degree angle
The C spine should be aligned at the midline of the IR
What does elevating or protruding the chin prevent?
It prevents the mandible from overlapping the spine
Where is the CR for an AP axial oblique of the c-spine?
Is there a tube angle?
At C4 with a 15-20 cephalad angle
What is shown on an AP axial oblique projection of the c-spine
IVF and pedicles farthest from the IR, as well as an oblique projection of the cervical vertebrae
What are some eval criteria for an AP axial oblique projection of the c-spine?
