L19: Vertebral Column (Spine) Flashcards
How many bones make up the vertebral column?
26
How many vertebrae make up the vertebral column
24
The primary spinal curve is made of what two sections?
Thoracic and sacral
The secondary spinal curve is made of what two sections?
Cervical and lumbar
What make up the vertebral arch
The pedicles, laminae, spinous process, and transverse process
What are the three articular processes of the spine?
Superior, inferior, articular facets
How many cervical vertebrae are there
7
How many atypical cervical vertebrae are there? What are they?
C1 and C2
What is the name for C1
atlas
What is the name for C2
Axis
What is the structure of a typical cervical vertebrae
- Oval body
- Bifid spinous process (except C7)
- Large triangular vertebral foramen
- Transverse foramen
How many thoracic vertebrae are there
12
Describe the articulation the thoracic vertebrae have with the ribs
Facets and demifacets
Describe the structure of the thoracic vertebrae
- Heart shaped body
- Facet orientation between vertebral arches is coronal
- Circular vertebral foramen
- Long spinous process that points downwards
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5
Describe the structure of lumbar vertebrae
- Large, kidney shaped body
- Short and thick pedicles and laminae
- Short, flat hatchet shaped spinous processes
- Triangular vertebral foramen
How many vertebrae are in the sacrum?
- It’s a fusion of 5 vertebrae
How many vertebrae are in the coccyx?
- It’s a fusion of 4/5 vertebrae
What is the function of vertebral discs?
Assist with compression of the spine and absorb vertical shock
The sacral and coccygeal regions are involved in what structure?
The bony pelvis
The primary spinal curvature is what kind of curve
Concave anteriorly
The secondary spinal curvature is what kind of curve?
Concave posteriorly
The vertebral foramen is made up of what?
The body and vertebral arch
The intervertebral foramina is where?
the point at which the spinal nerve leaves the bony confines of the spine
The intervertebral discs are what kind of joint?
A cartilaginous joint
