Final Back Spine Flashcards
Functions of vertebral column
protection for spinal cord and spinal nerves
supports weight of body superior to level of pelvis
axis for body and extended based for head
posture
locomotion
The sacrum fusion
might not fuse until age 35
First position of articular discs
between C2 and C3
Intervertebral foramen
formed by superior and inferior notches of adjacent vertebrae and intervertebral disc that unites them
allows passage of spinal nerve and vessels
Articular facets
located on articular processes
contact with articular facets of adjacent vertebrae
Intervertebral disc makeup
anulus fibrosus surrounds the outside
nucleus pulposus
Vertebral endplate is made of
hyaline cartilage
Zygapophyseal joints
between superior and inferior articular facets of adjacent vertebrae
plane synovial joints
articulation between the superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae
each surrounded by thin joint capsule
Cervical vertebrae characteristics
foramen are large/triangular
uncinate processes/unco-vertebral joints
carotid tubercle
bifid spinous processes
Vertebra prominens
C7, has the longest spinous process
Articular facets orientations of cervical spine
Superior = superior and posterior
Inferior = inferior and anterior
Oblique faced facets most nearly horizontal
Thoracic vertebrae characteristics
heart shaped body
costal facets (6 on each vertebrae)
long, posterior-lateral transverse processes
spinous processes are long, sloped posterior/inferior. Tips extend to body below
articular processes are vertical
Lumbar vertebrae characteristics
kidney shaped body
vertebral foramen are triangular
transverse are long/slender
spinous are short, sturdy, hatchet shaped
mamillary processes
pars interarticularis
Articular facet orientations of lumbar
Superior = posterior/medial
Inferior = anterior/lateral
Variations in Vertebrae
Cervical rib at C7
Lumbar rib below T12
Sacralized L5
Lumbarized S1
Blood supply of vertebrae
abdominal aorta
goes to lumbar artery
vertebral arch
Flexion/Extension
sagittal plane, along the transverse axis
Lateral flexion
frontal plane, along sagittal axis
Rotation
transverse plane along vertical axis
Limitations in vertebral motion
thickness, elasticity, compression of discs
shape of facet joints
tension of joint capsules on facet joints
resistance of muscles and ligaments
attachment of thoracic cage
bulk of surrounding tissue
General ideas with movement of vertebral column
coupled motion
multiple segments involved, summative
produced by back muscles, anterolateral abdominal muscles, gravity
Cervical spine motions
flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation
flexion and lateral flexion are greatest in this region
Cervical spine mobility is possible…
intervertebral disc and thickness to bodies
relative size of surface/orientation of facets
loose joint capsules around facets
less soft tissue bulk in region
Thoracic spine mobility is possible….
thin intervertebral discs to vertebral bodies
connection to ribs and costal cartilages
joint plane arc –> permits rotation
Thoracic spine motions
rotation
flexion and lateral flexion are limited in this region
Lumbar spine mobility is possible…
thick intervertebral discs
sagittally oriented joint planes
interlocking articular processes prevent rotation
Lumbar spine motions
lateral flexion is greatest. flexion, extension are possible
rotation is prevented
Characteristics of joints of vertebral bodies
Sympheses/secondary cartilaginous joints
role in weight bearing
role in strength
articulating surfaces connected by intervertebral discs/ligaments
Anulus fibrosus, fiber characteristics
fibrous ring of concentric lamellae
insert into epiphyseal rimes on articular surface on bodies
fibers forming each lamella, oblique in orientation
adjacent fibers cross obliquely, in opposite direction
allows for rotation
thinner posteriorly
Annulus Fibrous, vascular/innervation
decreased vascularization centrally
innervation to outer 1/3
Nucleus pulposus
core of intervertebral disc
semifluid
allows for flexibility
role in shock absorption of the entire disc, especially with vertical forces
Anterior longitudinal ligament
pelvic surface of sacrum to anterior tubercle of CI, occipital bone anterior to foramen magnum
strong, broad fibrous band, connects bodies and discs
resists hyperextension
maintains stability of joints between vertebral bodies
Posterior longitudinal ligament
within vertebral canal, posterior aspect of bodies/discs
resists hyperflexion of vertebral column
prevents/redirects posterior herniation of nucleus pulposus
LIgamentum flavum
extend vertically above/below lamina
assists within straightening of column from flexion
resist separation of vertebral lamina by limiting abrupt flexion of vertebral column in role to prevent injury to discs
Areas of back with ligamnetum flavum
Cervical = long, thin, broad
Thoracic = thicker
Lumbar = thickest
Interspinous ligament
unite spinous processes from base to apex
thin and weak
Supraspinous ligmanet
connect tips of spinous processes from C7-sacrum, merge with nuchal ligament superiorly
strong, fibrous
Ligamentum nuchae
median band from external occipital protuberance and posterior border of foramen magnum to spinous processes of cervical vertebrae
at c3-c5
Intertransverse ligament
connect adjacent transverse processes
scattered fibers in cervical region
fibrous cords in thoracic region
thin, membranous in lumbar region
Craniovertebral joitns
atlanto-occipital (a/o)
atlanto-axial (a/a)
synovial joints
do not have intervertebral joints
Atlanto-occipital joint
between C1/atlas to occiput
permit flexion/extension (yes motion)
permit some lateral flexion and rotation
synovial, condyloid joints
have thin loose joint capsules
anterior/posterior atlanto-occipital membranes prevents excessive motion
Atlanto-axial joint
between C1 and C2
there are both lateral and medial joints
allows for movement from side to side (no motion)
rotates around the dens as a unit
Lateral atlanto-axial joints
2 of them
between inferior facets of C1 and superior facets of C2
Median atlanto-axial joint
1 joint
between dens of C2 and anterior arch of C1
Cruciform ligament
transverse ligament of atlas and longitudinal bands
Alar ligaments
extend from sides of dens of axis to lateral margins of foramen magnum
prevent excessive rotation at the joints
Tectorial membrane
strong, superior continuation of PLL
broadens and passes posteriorly over median a/a joint and its ligament
runs superior from body of C2 through foramen magnum
attaches to floor of cranial cavity
