difference between different vertebra

Question 1

vertebral body

Answer 1

cervical- small kidney shaped
thoracic- heart shaped- with costal demifacets at borders on each side for articulate non rib and rib below
lumbar- large kidney shaped, stouter and stronger

Question 2

pedicles

Answer 2

cervical- short project laterally, thoracic- short project backwards, lumbar- short/ strong project backwards

Question 3

lamina

Answer 3

cervical- long and narrow, backwards and medially
thoracic- overlapping from above, backwards and medially
lumbar- narrow, backwards and medially

Question 4

neural canal

Answer 4

cervical- large triangular, thoracic- small almost circular, lumbar- triangular smaller than cervical

Question 5

spinous process

Answer 5

cervical- short/slender/ bifid horizontal projection, thoracic- long but upper and lower spines are shorter; downward pointing, overlapping

Question 6

transverse process

Answer 6

cervical- stout projection from side of body and pedicle, end in anterior and posterior tubercles and has foramen transverarium for vertebral vessel
thoracic- long, thick rounded process with costal facet for articulation with tubercle of corresponding rib
lumbar- thin short transverse process and projects laterally/ backwards

Question 7

articular process

Answer 7

cervical- project increasingly vertically upwards and downwards
thoracic- flat project almost vertically, lumbar- project vertically, superior process has maxillary process on posterior edge

Question 8

facet orientation

Answer 8

cervical- superior conex- upwards and back, inferior- concave- downwards and forwards
thoracic- superior concave- backwards and upwards/ laterally, inferior- convex forward and slightly down/ medially
lumbar- superior concave backwards/ medially, inferior- convex forward and laterally

Question 9

special features

Answer 9

cervical- bifid spine- foramen in TP, thoracic- costal facets on body and TP, lumbar- mammillary process and accessory process

Question 10

function

Answer 10

cervical- flexibility, thoracic- stability, lumbar- support