General Vertebral Column

Question 1

Vertebral Column: Functions

Answer 1

Protect Spinal Cord
Support Skull
Attachments for ribs, muscles and ligaments

Question 2

How many vertebrae are there total? Per type?

Answer 2

33 Total

7 Cervical
12 Thoracic
5 Lumbar
5 Sacral

4 Coccygeal

Question 3

What are the 2 primary and 2 secondary types of normal curvatures?

Answer 3

Primary: Thoracic and Sacral

Secondary: Cervical and Lumbar

Question 4

What are the abnormal curvatures?

Answer 4

Kyphosis: Exaggerated throacic curvature

Lordosis: Exaggerated lumbar curvature

Scoliosis: Abnormal lateral curvature

Question 5

Typical Vertebral Structure

Answer 5

Anterior: Body- supports weight of the human body

 Posterior: Vertebral arch- protects the spinal cord
 Contains Pedicle (connect lamina to body) and Lamina (connect pedicles to spinal processes)

1 Spinous Process

2 Transverse Processes

2 Superior and 2 Inferior Articular Processes

Vertebral Foramen- Multiple form the Vertebral Canal which holds the spinal cord and the meninges

Question 6

Intervertebral Foramen and Vertebral Notches

Answer 6

Spinal nerve or posterior/dorsal and anterior/ventral roots pass through intervertebral foramen, often contains the posterior/dorsal root ganglion

Superior vertebral notch: Indentation of the body adn superior articular process
Inferior Vertebral Notch: Indentation of the pedicle