Components of Vertebra

Question 1

Body

Answer 1

Block of trabecular bone covered by a layer of cortical bone

Function:
To resist compressive loads

Question 2

Arches (Pedicle)

Answer 2

Short, stout pillars with thick walls that connect the vertebral body to the posterior elements

Function:
To transmit the bending forces from the posterior elements to the vertebral body

Question 3

Arches (Lamina)

Answer 3

The vertical plate that constitutes the central portion of the arch posterior to the pedicles

Function:
To transmit the forces from the articular, transverse, and spinous processes to the pedicles

Question 4

Transverse processes

Answer 4

Lateral projections of bone that originate from the laminae

Function:
Serve as muscle attachments and provide mechanical lever

Question 5

Spinous process

Answer 5

A posterior projection of bone that originates from the central portion of the laminae

Function:
Serves as muscle attachment and provides mechanical lever; may also serve as a bony block to motion

Question 6

Vertebral foramen

Answer 6

Opening bordered by the posterior vertebral body and the neural arch

Function:
Combined with all segments, forms a passage and protection for the spinal cord

Question 7

Body Cervical

Answer 7

The body is small, with a transverse diameter greater than its anteroposterior diameter. The anterior surface of the body is convex; the posterior surface is flat. The superior surface of the body is saddle-shaped because of the presence of uncinate processes on the lateral aspects of the superior surfaces.

Question 8

Body Thoracic

Answer 8

The transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the bodies are equal. The anterior height is less than the posterior height. Two demifacets for articulation with the ribs are located on the posterolateral corners of the vertebral plateaus.

Question 9

Body Lumbar

Answer 9

The body is massive, with a transverse diameter greater than the anteroposterior diameter and the height.

Question 10

Arches (Pedicles) Cervical

Answer 10

Project posterolaterally

Question 11

Arches (Pedicles) Thoracic

Answer 11

Variable in shape and orientation

Question 12

Arches (Pedicles) Lumbar

Answer 12

Short and thick

Question 13

Arches (Laminae) Cervical

Answer 13

Project posteromedially; thin and slightly curved

Question 14

Arches (Laminae Thoracic

Answer 14

Short, thick, and broad

Question 15

Arches (Laminae) Lumbar

Answer 15

Short and broad

Question 16

Superior zygapophyseal facets (Cervical)

Answer 16

Face superiorly and medially

Question 17

Superior zygapophyseal facets (Thoracic)

Answer 17

Thin and flat; face posteriorly, superiorly, and laterally

Question 18

Superior zygapophyseal facets (Lumbar)

Answer 18

Vertical and concave; face posteromedially, support mammillary processes on posterior borders

Question 19

Inferior zygapophyseal facets (Cervical)

Answer 19

Face anteriorly and laterally

Question 20

Inferior zygapophyseal facets (Thoracic)

Answer 20

Face anteriorly, inferiorly, and medially

Question 21

Inferior zygapophyseal facets (Lumbar)

Answer 21

Vertical, convex, and face anterolaterally

Question 22

Transverse processes (Cervical)

Answer 22

Possess foramina for vertebral artery, vein, and venous plexus, have a gutter for the spinal nerve

Question 23

Transverse processes (Thoracic)

Answer 23

Large, with thickened ends. Possess paired oval facets for articulation with the ribs. Show a caudal decrease in length.

Question 24

Transverse processes (Lumbar)

Answer 24

Long, slender, and extend horizontally. Support accessory processes on the posterior inferior surfaces of the root.

Question 25

Spinous processes (Cervical)

Answer 25

Short, slender, and extend horizontally. Have bifid tips.

Question 26

Spinous processes (Thoracic)

Answer 26

T1–T10 slope inferiorly. T11 and T12 have a triangular shape.

Question 27

Spinous processes (Lumbar)

Answer 27

Broad, thick, and extend horizontally

Question 28

Vertebral foramen (Cervical)

Answer 28

Large and roughly triangular

Question 29

Vertebral foramen (Thoracic)

Answer 29

Small and circular

Question 30

Vertebral foramen (Lumbar)

Answer 30

Triangular; larger than the thoracic but smaller than the cervical