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Human Structure - Block 1 > HS1-2 Vertebral Column and Back > Flashcards

HS1-2 Vertebral Column and Back Flashcards

1
Q

What are the five groups that make up the vertebral column?

A

cervical thoracic lumbar sacral coccygeal

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2
Q

How many of each types of vertebrae are there?

A

cervical (7) thoracic (12) lumbar (5) sacral (5, fused in adult) coccygeal (4, often used)

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3
Q

Label the following structures.

A
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4
Q

Label the following structures.

A
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5
Q

The foramen of the individual vertebrae collectively form

A

the vertebral canal of the vertebral column

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6
Q

What is the purpose of the vertebral arch?

A

protects the spinal cord and provides attachment sites for muscles and ligaments

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7
Q

What is the identifying characteristic of sacral vertebrae?

A

fused to form sacrum

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8
Q

What is the identifying characteristic of coccygeal vertebrae?

A

they are small, because they have no weight-bearing function

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9
Q

What is the identifying characteristic of cervical vertebrae?

A

they have transverse foramens (which contain vertebral arteries)

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10
Q

What is the identifying characteristic of thoracic vertebrae?

A

GIRAFFE — all thoracic vertebrae have costal facets on their vertebral bodies and transverse processes for articulation with ribs; long, downward sloping spinous process

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11
Q

How is the atlas (C1) unique?

A

has no vertebral body or spinous process

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12
Q

How is the axis (C2) unique?

A

modified vertebral body gives rise to dens or odontoid process for articulation with C1 at the median atlanto-axial joint

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13
Q

What anatomical structures allow a person to indicate “no” with a head gesture?

A

C1 (atlas) rotating on C2 (axis)

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14
Q

In adults, the vertebral column has how many curvatures?

A

4

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15
Q

Primary curvature, in adults, is found in what vertebral regions?

A

thoracic and sacral regions

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16
Q

Secondary curvature, in adults, is found in what vertebral region?

A

cervical and lumbar regions

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17
Q

What does the term kyphosis refer to? (2)

A

thoracic and sacral regions concave anteriorly as part of primary curvature

curves maintained throughout lfie

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18
Q

What does the term lordosis refer to?

A

cervical and lumbar regions are concave posteriorly as part of secondary curvature

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19
Q

What is scoliosis?

A

abnormal lateral curve in coronal plane accompanied by rotation of the vertebrae

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20
Q

What is the anatomical basis for a herniated disk?

A

protrusion of nucleus pulposus through anulus fibrosus into intervertebral foramen or vertebral canal, ultimately compressing spinal nerve or cord

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21
Q

What is spondylosis?

A

fracture of intra-articular portion of vertebral arch connecting superior and inferior articular processes

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22
Q

What structure serves as the joint between vertebral bodies?

A

symphyses

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23
Q

What is the function of intervertebral (IV) discs? (2)

A

act as “shock” absorbers and allow some movement in all 3 axes

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24
Q

What are the two components of intervertebral (IV) discs?

A

anulus fibrosus

nucleus pulposus

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25
Define anulus fibrosus.
tough, peripheral fibrocartilaginous ring that attaches to outer bone surface of vertebral bodies
26
Define nucleus pulposus.
pliable, inner gelatinous mass responsible for flexibility of IV disc
27
What happens to the nucleus pulposus with aging?
nucleus becomes less hydrated and increasingly fibrous
28
What structure serves as the joint between vertebral arches?
zygapophysial (facet) joints
29
What are craniovertebral joints?
joints specially adapted to allow for large range of head movements
30
What are the two craniovertebral joints?
atlanto-occiptal joint (C1-occipital bone) atlanto-axial joint (C1-C2)
31
What joint allows a person to nod "yes?"
atlanto-occipital joint
32
What are the two types of atlanto-axial joints?
lateral atlanto-axial joints (between inferior articular facets of C1 and superior articular facets of C2), left and right median atlanto-axial joint (between anterior tubercle of C1 and dens of C2)
33
Describe the anterior longitudinal ligament.
connects front of adjacent vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs between them
34
Describe the location of the anterior longitudinal ligament.
extends from occipital bone of skull to anterior tubercle of C1 vertebra, continuing inferiorly to sacrum
35
What is the only ligament to limit extension of the vertebral column?
anterior longitudinal ligament
36
Describe the location and attachments of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
runs within vertebral canal, attaching to posterior surfaces of vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs
37
Compare the strength of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments.
anterior is stronger than posterior
38
Describe the location and structure of ligamentum flavum.
stretches between laminae of adjacent vertebral arches, forming part of posterior wall of vertebral canal
39
Describe the function of ligamentum flavum. (2)
provide resistance to flexion of column help restore vertebral column to upright position following flexion
40
What are interspinous ligaments?
weak ligaments that unite adjaent vertebrae along their spinous processes, attaching from root on vertebral arch to the tip
41
What are supraspinous ligaments?
cord-like ligaments that unite tips of spinous processes from C7 to sacrum
42
What is the function of supraspinous ligaments? (2)
limit flexion from a flexed position, help restore vertebral column to upright position
43
What are ligamentum nuchae?
broad, thickened extension of supraspinous ligaments found in cervical region
44
Where in the vertebral column are ligamentum nuchae found?
extends from external occipital protuberance of skull to C7 vertebra
45
What is a function of the ligamentum nuchae?
limit flexion of the neck
46
What is the transverse ligament of the atlas?
secures median atlanto-axial joint by forming collar around dens of axis
47
Muscles responsible for controlling movements of the vertebral column fall into what two major functional groups?
extensors flexors
48
Superficial back muscles are innervated by
branches from the ventral primary rami of spinal nerves
49
What are the four major superficial back muscles?
latissimus dorsi trapezius rhomboids (major, minor) levator scapulae
50
What are the muscles of the intermediate layer of the back?
serratus posterior superior serratus posterior inferior
51
What innervates the intermediate layer of back muscles?
innervated by intercostal nerves derived from ventral primary rami
52
What innervates the deep layer of back muscles?
innervated by branches from dorsal primary rami of spinal nerves
53
The deep layer of back muscles can be further divided into which muscle groups?
splenii (superficial) erector spinae (intermediate) transversospinalis (deep)
54
What are the two muscles of the splenii (superficial) layer?
splenius cervicis splenius capitis
55
What is the function of the splenii group of muscles?
extend the head
56
Where does the splenius cervicis insert?
onto transverse process of cervical vertebra
57
Where does the splenius capitis insert?
onto the mastoid process of the skull (i.e. temporal bone)
58
What are the three muscles of the erector spinae (intermediate) layer of back muscles?
spinalis longissimus iliocostalis
59
What is the function of the erector spinae group of muscles? (3)
extension restoring vertebral column to erect posture assists in lateral bending of the vertebral column
60
Describe the locations of the erector spinae muscles, going from most lateral to medial.
iliocostalis (lateral) longissimus (middle) spinalis (medial)
61
Where does the spinalis insert?
onto spinous processes
62
Where does the longissimus insert?
onto thoracic and cervical transverse processes, reaching mastoid process of skull
63
Where does the iliocostalis insert?
onto ribs and transverse processes of cervical vertebrae
64
The transversospinalis, or deep layer of back muscles, can be further divided into how many groups?
3
65
The transversospinalis, or deep layer of back muscles, can be further divided into what three groups?
semispinalis multifidus rotatores
66
What is the function of the transversospinalis group of muscles? (2)
responsible for twisting movements of vertebrae and adjustments of one vertebra to another
67
Where does the semispinalis capitis insert?
inserts onto occiput of skull
68
Arrange the three muscle groups of the transversospinalis in terms of depth, from most superficial to most deep.
semispinalis \< multifidus \< rotatores
69
What is the identifying characteristic of lumbar vertebrae?
looks like a moose — large vertebral body with blunted spinous process + near vertical articular facets
70
What is the "yes" bone?
atlas (C1) — allows flexion/extension of the head
71
What is the "no" bone?
axis (C2) - median atlantoaxial joint allows head rotation
72
(T/F) There is an intervertebral disc between C1 and C2.
**False**. There is no intervertebral disk between C1 and C2.
73
What secures the median atlantoaxial joint?
transverse ligament
74
In what direction is the sacrum/coccyx concave?
concave anteriorly
75
What ligament is usually torn in an MVC?
anterior longitudinal ligament, which is mainly responsible for limiting extension
76
What is the anatomical basis for an intervertebral disc herniation?
anulus fibrosis ruptures and the nucleus pulposis spills out, compressing nerve
77
Describe how spinal curvature changes with aging.
newborn spine is entirely kyphotic cervical + lumbar develop lordosis during growth thoracic and sacral retain kyphosis
78
What are the muscles of the deep (intrinsic) layer of the back?
splenius muscles erector spinae group transversospinalis group suboccipital group
79
Under what conditions is the semispinalis visible?
if the trapezius and splenius are reflected
80
What four structures make up the suboccipital triangle?
rectus capitis minor rectus capitis major inferior oblique superior oblique

Human Structure - Block 1 (14 decks)

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