Ch.2 Articulation and vessels of the Vertebral Column 9/17 Flashcards
1
Q
Primary curve
A
- kyphotic curve
- anterior concavity of the vertebral column
- present in thoracic and sacral
- exists in fetal life throughout the column
- persists in adult life in the thoracic and sacral areas
2
Q
Secondary curve
A
- anterior convexity of the vertebral column
= lordotic curve
-present in cervical and lumbar areas - develops in response to lifting of the head and assumption of erect posture
3
Q
Abnormal Curvatures
A
- Lordosis: exaggerated secondary curve of the lumbar area
- kyphosis: exaggerated primary curve of the thoracic area
- Scoliosis: Lateral “S” - shaped curve occurring in any region of the vertebral column
4
Q
Annulus Fibrosis
A
outer fibrocartilaginous ring of the IVdiscs
5
Q
Nucleus Pulposus
A
inner highly elastic, highly hydrated gelatinous-ike mass of the IV discs
6
Q
IV Discs
A
- have annulus fibrosis surrounding a nucleus pulposus
- IV discs compose 1/4th of the entire length of the vertebral column
- wedge shaped, thicker anteriorly than posteriorly in cervical and lumbar regions - shape assists in maintaining the secondary curves in these areas.
- they are attached above and below to the hyaline cartilage of vertebral bodies
- they are anteriorly and posteriorly attached to longitudinal spinal ligaments
- they function as shock absorbers - under compression they bulge past margins of the vertebral bodies
7
Q
Ruptured Disc
A
tear of the annulus fibrosis leading to loss of integrity between contiguous vertebrae
8
Q
Herniated Disc
A
Nucleus Pulposus “squeezes” through the ruptured disc and may contact roots of spinal nerves.
- Herniations that occur in the cervical region affect spinal nerves at the same level as the herniation.
- Herniations that occur in lumbar regions, due to the angle at which the spinal nerves descend from the spinal cord relative to the herniated intervertebral disc, affect the spinal nerve one or more segments lower.
9
Q
Anterior Longitudinal spinal ligament
A
- located on the anterior surface of ALL vertebrae extending from the basilar portion of the occipital bone to the sacrum
- composed of two layers: a deep layer composed of short fibers which span contiguous vertebrae and a more superficial layer composed of long fibers which span many vertebrae
- **prevents excessive extension of the vertebral column
10
Q
Posterior Longitudinal spinal ligament
A
- located on posterior surface of ALL vertebral bodies extending from occipital bone to sacrum
- *** prevents excessive flexion of the vertebral column
- directs IV disc herniation posterolaterally thereby affecting spinal nerves
11
Q
Sygapophysis
A
= Facet Joints
- true sinovial joint b/w superior and inferior articulating processes
- because of these joints, and orientations, range of motion is limited in each segment
- Cervical: flexion, extension, rotation, lateral flexion
- Thoracic: rotation and lateral flexion; little flexion, almost no extension (motion in this region is also limited by presence of ribs, long spinous processes, and thing IV discs)
- Lumbar: flexion, extension, side bending, limited rotation
12
Q
Ligamentum Flavum
A
- unites internal surface of adjacent laminae from CV2 downward
- yellow color due to high percentage of elastic fibers
- assists in maintaining upright posture by LIMITING FLEXION of vertebral column and returning it to its normal posture by aligning facet joints (recoil memory)
- strongest of four ligaments located posterior to the vertebral bodies
13
Q
Interspinal Ligament
A
- unite adjacent spinous processes from tip to laminae
- most robust at lumbar levels and almost insignificant in cervical and thoracic areas due to the respective distance between contiguous spinous processes
14
Q
Supraspinal Ligament
A
- connects tips of spinous processes from CV7 to sacrum
- composed of two laminae: deep(spans adjacent spinuous process) and Superficial (spans several vertebrae)
- continuous on deep surface with interspinous ligament: above CV7 with nuchal ligament
15
Q
Ligamentum Nuchae (Nuchal Ligament)
A
- Median sheet-like upward extension of the supraspinal ligament
- extends from CV7 spinous process to external occipital protuberance
- serves as an intermuscular septum for posterior deep muscles of the neck
- provides muscular attachment site without limiting extension of the cervical column
16
Q
Intervertebral Foramina
A
- lateral facing opening between contiguous vertebrae
- boundaries: superior (inferior vertebral notch of vertebra above) inferior (superior vertebral notch of vertebra below) anterior (posterior portion of vertebra above and IV disc) posterior (facet joint between two opposing vertebra)
- it has a depth the width of the pedicle
- Contents: dorsal and ventral roots, dorsal root ganglion, spinal nerve, spinal a. and IV v.
17
Q
Atlanotooccipital joint
A
- gliding or plane synovial joint between occipital condyles of skull and superior articulating facets of CV1 (atlas)
- loose joint capsule promotes movement between skull and atlas in “YES” range: flexion and extension