Chapter 8 notes - cervical and thoracic Flashcards
what is another name for the vertebral column?
spine/spinal column
what is the function of the vertebral column?
to support the weight of the head and the trunk
what verterbraes does the spinal cord travel through?
C1-L1
where does the spinal cord end?
tapers off at the conus medullaris
what separates the vertebral bones?
intervertebral disks
how many sections are in the vertebral column?
5
what are the 5 different sections of the vertebral column?
- cervical
- thoracic
- lumbar
- sacral
- coccyx
how many bones are in the cervical?
7
how many bones are in the thoracic?
12
How many bones are in the lumbar?
5
how many bones are in the sacrum of a child?
5
how many bones are in the coccyx of a child?
4
how many bones are in the sacrum of an adult?
1
how many bones are in the coccyx of an adult?
1
how many vertebral bones in a child are there in total?
33
how many vertebral bones in an adult are there in total?
26
out of all the sections, which vertebral section is the strongest?
lumbar vertebrae
what are 2 types of curvature demonstrated on a spine?
- lordotic
- kyphotic
define lordotic
- inward/concave curvature
define kyphotic
- outward/convex curvature
which sections of the spine have a lordotic curvature?
cervical and lumbar spine
- coccyx??
which sections of the spine have a kyphotic curvature?
thoracic and sacral
what is the first compensatory concave curve spine to develop?
cervical
which are the 2 primary curves?
thoracic and sacral
what is the second compensatory concave curve?
lumbar
true or false: both lumbar and sacral curves are more pronounced in men
false; they’re more pronounced in women
define kyphosis
- the abnormal outward curvature of the spine
- abnormal convex
- “humpback”
define lordosis
- the abnormal inward curvature of the spine
- abnormal concave
- “swayback”
define scoliosis
abnormal lateral curvature of the spine
what structure of the vertebrae is the most anterior?
body
what creates the vertebral arch?
the pedicle and lamina
what opening allows the spinal cord to travel through?
vertebral foramen
what vertebral structure extends posteriorly from either side of the body?
pedicle
what structure extends laterally from the pedicle and the lamina?
transverse process
what structure extends posteriorly at the midline junction of the two laminae?
spinous process
how many articular processes are in a vertebrae?
- 4
- 2 inferior articular process
- 2 superior articular process
what is the function of the intervertebral disks?
- stability
- flexobility/movement
- shock absorbing
how are intervertebral foramen formed?
by the superior and inferior vertebral notches
what travels through the intervertebral forame?
nerves and blood vessels
what is the outer fibrous portion of the intervertebral disk?
annulus fibrosus
what is the inner gelatinous portion of the intervertebral disk?
nucleus pulposus
what are the unique characteristics of the cervical vertebrae?
- transverse foramina
- bifid spinous process tips
- overlapping vertebral bodies
which cervical vertebrae is also known as bony prominens?
C7
what travels through the transverse foramen in the cervical spine?
veins, artery, and nerves
what is the name of the column that is in between the inferior and superior articular processes?
articular pillar
what angle do you view the zygapophyseal joints in the cervical region?
90 degrees
how can you view the intervertebral foramina in the cervical region?
45 degree oblique position with a tube angle of 15-20 degree cephalad
what is the name of C1
atlas
which cervical vertebrae does not have a body?
C1
define atlantooccipital joints
the articulation between C1 and the occipital condyles of the skull
what is the name of C2?
axis
what structure does the C2 contain that is also known as the dens?
odontoid process
true or false: Rotation of the head primarily occurs between C1 and C2, with the odontoid process acting as a pivot
true
what is housed in the thoracic cavity?
ribs and lungs
define costovertebral joints
the head/tubercle of the rib articulating with the body of the vertebrae
define costotransverse joints
the head/tubercle of the rib articulating with the transverse process of the vertebrae
which 2 thoracic vertebrae do not have costotranverse joints?
T11 and T12
what angle can you view the zygapophyseal joints of the thoracic spine?
70-75 degree oblique
what is a unique characteristic of the thoracic vertebrae?
the spinous process is at a caudal angle
what angle can you view the intervertebral foramina of the thoracic spine?
90 degree
