Exam #3: Vertebral Column Flashcards
Supraspinous Ligaments
- Merges with the interspinous ligaments & runs from C7 to the sacrum along the spinous processes
- Limits Flexion
Interspinous Ligaments
- Connects from the lower edge of one spinous process to the upper edge of the next (e.g. L4-L5)
- Limits Flexion
Ligamenta Flava
- The ligament that runs entire length of the vertebral column along the anterior portion of the lamina
- Connects one lamina to the next
- yellow because of fibrous tissue
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
- Ligament that runs along the anterior portion of the vertebral bodies
- Thick & strong
- Limits extension
Posterior Longitudinal Ligmanet
- Ligament that runs along the posterior portion of the vertebral bodies
- Narrow over each vertebral body, but thickens over the discs
- Limits Flexion
Epidural Space
- Space between the walls of the vertebral canal & the dura mater
- Contains fat & blood vessels
- Veins form the internal vertebral venous plexus
Subdural Space
- Space between the dura & the arachnoid mater
Subarachnoid Space
Space between the arachnoid & pia mater
Denticulate Ligaments
- Lateral extensions of the pia mater from the spinal cord to the dura
- Extend from the foramen magnum to L1
Lumbar Enlargement
- widened area of the spinal cord that gives attachment to the nerves which supply the lower limbs
- Starts at L1
Conus Medullaris
Tapered end of the spinal cord
Cauda Equina
- Latin for “horse tail”
- Bundle of spinal nerve past the end of the spinal cord
Filum Terminale
- Slender & thread-like continuation of the pia mater
- Connects the spinal cord to the coccyx
Number of Cervical Vertebrae
7
Number of Thoracic Vertebrae
12
Number of Lumbar Vertebrae
5
Number of Sacral Vertebrae
5 (Fused)
Number of Coccygeal Vertebrae
4
Vertebral Body
- Large anterior portion of the vertebra
- Major weight bearing component of the vertebral column
Pedicle
“Feet” that join the vertebral body and arch
Lamina
Flat plates contacting the pedicles
Vertebral foramen
- Space created by the vertebral body & arch
- Forms the vertebral canal
Superior & Inferior Vertebral Notches
- Notches in pedicles
- Form the intervertebral foramen
- Exit for the spinal nerves
Articular Processes
- Superior & Inferior plates extending from the lamina?
- 4 per vertebra
Characteristics of Cervical Vertebrae
- Transverse foramina (vertebral arteries)
- Anterior & Posterior Tubercles (Carotid Tubercles C6)
- Vertebral Foramina enlarge C3-C7 for cervical enlargement
- Uncinate process= saddle-shaped superior border of the vertebral body
Characteristics of Thoracic Vertebrae
- Rib-bearing vertebrae i.e. contain costal facets
- Spinous process is long & slender
Characteristics of Lumbar Vertebrae
- Major weight bearing vertebrae
- Accessory Process
- Mamillary Process
- Wedge-shaped L5
Characteristics of Sacral Vertebrae
- No Discs (same as C1-C2)
- Fused
- Functions to transfer body weight to the pelvis
- Sacral Promontory
- Sacral Hiatus
- Auricular Surface
Characteristics of Coccygeal Vertebrae
- Rudimentary Tailbone
- Coccygeal Cornua
C1
- Atlas
- Articulates with occipital condyles
- Lacks vertebral body
- Groove for vertebral artery on superior surface
C2
- Axis
- Contains the dens/odontoid process, which is the pivot for the skull
Which throacic vertebrae do not contain costal facets?
T11 & T12
Accessory Process
- Located posterior on each transverse process of the lumbar vertebrae
- Attachment for the intertransverse lumborum muscles
Mamillary Process
- Attachment for multifidus & median intertransverse muscles
Where does the spinal cord end?
Conus medullaris, L2
Where do you do a lumbar puncture?
L4-5
Sacral Promontory
Most anterior portion of the sacrum
Sacral Hiatus
- Gap in laminae that forms an inverted V
- Where the vertebral column ends
Auricular Surface
- Part of the sacrum that articulates with the inominate
- Functions to transfer weight from the vertebral column to the lower limb
Primary Curvatures
- Present at birth due to the size of the vertebrae themselves
- Thoracic (anteriorly concave)
- Sacral (anteriorly concave)
Secondary Curvature
- Develops after birth due to differences in the thickness of the intervertebral discs
- Cervical (anteriorly convex)
- Lumbar (anteriorly convex)
What are the intervertebral discs the remnant of?
Notochord
Annulus Fibrosus
Outer portion of concentric fibrocartilaginous circles
Nucleus Pulposus
- Posteriorly positioned
- Gelatinous
- Elastic
- Avascular
Transverse ligament of atlas
Holds dens of C2 with arch of C1
Longitudinal Bands
Extend from transverse ligament to occiput & C2 body
Alar Ligaments
- Extend from sides of dens to C1 & foramen magnum
- Limits head rotation
Tectorial Membrane
- Extends from C2 and through formen magnum
- Superior continuation of posterior longitudinal ligament
What are the spinal arteries branches of?
- Neck= vertebral & ascending cervical artery
- Thorax= Posterior intercostal arteries
- Abdomen= Subcostal & lumbar arteries
- Pelvis= iliolumbar & lateral and medial sacral arteries
Spinal veins
Internal and external venous plexus
