Head movement Flashcards
what is primary curvature of the vertebral column mean?
The curve moves in the same direction as the foetus curve (it concave anteriorly)
What are the 2 primary curves ?
- thoracic
- sacral
what is secondary curvature of the vertebral column mean?
The curve changes direction from when it was a foetus curve
what are the 2 secondary curves?
- cervical
- lumbar
What are the functions of the spine?
- support the weight of the head and trunk in the upright posture
- Protect the spinal cord and spinal nerves
- allow movements
what forms the vertebral canal?
vertebral foramina comine to form the vertebral canal for the spinal cord
what passes through the intervertebral foramen?
spinal nerves
what is a facet joint?
Between articular processes of 2 adjacent vertebrae
What happens when facet joints are affected by arthritis?
Pain signals transmitted via posterior rami
what are the strong attachment between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae?
intervertebral discs
where are intervertebral discs found?
Between all vertebrae except C1-C2 and the fused scrum and coccyx
What is the outer fibrous ring of the invertebrate disc made from?
annulus fibrosus (fibrocartilage)
what is the inner soft pulp of the invertebrate disc made from?
nucleus pulposus - mostly made of water
what is a herniated (slipped) disc?
protrusion of nucleus pulposus through annulus fibrosis
why does the herniated disc usually slip in the posterior direction?
the annulus fibrosis is thinnest posterolaterally
what are the most commonly affected vertebrae in the cervical area?
C6 and C7 spinal nerves
what does the anterior longitudinal ligament attachment?
attaches to anterior aspects of all vertebral bodies and invertebrate discs
what does the posterior longitudinal ligament attachments?
attaches to posterior aspects of all vertebral bodies and inverteberal discs
what does the ligament flavum attach to?
Connects to adjacent laminae
what does the interspinous ligament connect to?
Connect superior and inferior surfaces of adjacent spinous processes
what does the supraspinous ligament attach to?
Connect tips of spinous processes
what does the C1 atlas not have?
- does not have a body or spinous process
- it has a posterior arch and an anterior arch instead
How is the C2 axis different to other vertebrae?
- has a odontoid process
- projects superiorly from body
what vertebrae has the most prominent spinous process?
C7
