Exam #3: Vertebral Column Flashcards
1
Q
Supraspinous Ligaments
A
- Merges with the interspinous ligaments & runs from C7 to the sacrum along the spinous processes
- Limits Flexion
2
Q
Interspinous Ligaments
A
- Connects from the lower edge of one spinous process to the upper edge of the next (e.g. L4-L5)
- Limits Flexion
3
Q
Ligamenta Flava
A
- 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
4
Q
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
A
- Ligament that runs along the anterior portion of the vertebral bodies
- Thick & strong
- Limits extension
5
Q
Posterior Longitudinal Ligmanet
A
- Ligament that runs along the posterior portion of the vertebral bodies
- Narrow over each vertebral body, but thickens over the discs
- Limits Flexion
6
Q
Epidural Space
A
- Space between the walls of the vertebral canal & the dura mater
- Contains fat & blood vessels
- Veins form the internal vertebral venous plexus
7
Q
Subdural Space
A
- Space between the dura & the arachnoid mater
8
Q
Subarachnoid Space
A
Space between the arachnoid & pia mater
9
Q
Denticulate Ligaments
A
- Lateral extensions of the pia mater from the spinal cord to the dura
- Extend from the foramen magnum to L1
10
Q
Lumbar Enlargement
A
- widened area of the spinal cord that gives attachment to the nerves which supply the lower limbs
- Starts at L1
11
Q
Conus Medullaris
A
Tapered end of the spinal cord
12
Q
Cauda Equina
A
- Latin for “horse tail”
- Bundle of spinal nerve past the end of the spinal cord
13
Q
Filum Terminale
A
- Slender & thread-like continuation of the pia mater
- Connects the spinal cord to the coccyx
14
Q
Number of Cervical Vertebrae
A
7
15
Q
Number of Thoracic Vertebrae
A
12
16
Q
Number of Lumbar Vertebrae
A
5
17
Q
Number of Sacral Vertebrae
A
5 (Fused)
18
Q
Number of Coccygeal Vertebrae
A
4
19
Q
Vertebral Body
A
- Large anterior portion of the vertebra
- Major weight bearing component of the vertebral column
20
Q
Pedicle
A
“Feet” that join the vertebral body and arch
21
Q
Lamina
A
Flat plates contacting the pedicles
22
Q
Vertebral foramen
A
- Space created by the vertebral body & arch
- Forms the vertebral canal
23
Q
Superior & Inferior Vertebral Notches
A
- Notches in pedicles
- Form the intervertebral foramen
- Exit for the spinal nerves
24
Q
Articular Processes
A
- Superior & Inferior plates extending from the lamina?
- 4 per vertebra
25
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
26
Characteristics of Thoracic Vertebrae
- Rib-bearing vertebrae i.e. contain costal facets
| - Spinous process is long & slender
27
Characteristics of Lumbar Vertebrae
- Major weight bearing vertebrae
- Accessory Process
- Mamillary Process
- Wedge-shaped L5
28
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
29
Characteristics of Coccygeal Vertebrae
- Rudimentary Tailbone
| - Coccygeal Cornua
30
C1
- Atlas
- Articulates with occipital condyles
- Lacks vertebral body
- Groove for vertebral artery on superior surface
31
C2
- Axis
| - Contains the dens/odontoid process, which is the pivot for the skull
32
Which throacic vertebrae do not contain costal facets?
T11 & T12
33
Accessory Process
- Located posterior on each transverse process of the lumbar vertebrae
- Attachment for the intertransverse lumborum muscles
34
Mamillary Process
- Attachment for multifidus & median intertransverse muscles
35
Where does the spinal cord end?
Conus medullaris, L2
36
Where do you do a lumbar puncture?
L4-5
37
Sacral Promontory
Most anterior portion of the sacrum
38
Sacral Hiatus
- Gap in laminae that forms an inverted V
| - Where the vertebral column ends
39
Auricular Surface
- Part of the sacrum that articulates with the inominate
| - Functions to transfer weight from the vertebral column to the lower limb
40
Primary Curvatures
- Present at birth due to the size of the vertebrae themselves
- Thoracic (anteriorly concave)
- Sacral (anteriorly concave)
41
Secondary Curvature
- Develops after birth due to differences in the thickness of the intervertebral discs
- Cervical (anteriorly convex)
- Lumbar (anteriorly convex)
42
What are the intervertebral discs the remnant of?
Notochord
43
Annulus Fibrosus
Outer portion of concentric fibrocartilaginous circles
44
Nucleus Pulposus
- Posteriorly positioned
- Gelatinous
- Elastic
- Avascular
45
Transverse ligament of atlas
Holds dens of C2 with arch of C1
46
Longitudinal Bands
Extend from transverse ligament to occiput & C2 body
47
Alar Ligaments
- Extend from sides of dens to C1 & foramen magnum
| - Limits head rotation
48
Tectorial Membrane
- Extends from C2 and through formen magnum
| - Superior continuation of posterior longitudinal ligament
49
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
50
Spinal veins
Internal and external venous plexus
