Lecture 16

Question 1

Functions of the vertebral column

Answer 1

Protect the spinal cord and transfer loads from the head, trunk, and upper limb to the pelvis

Question 2

How long is the vertebral column?

Answer 2

28 inches

Question 3

How many vertebrae are in each region of the vertebral column?

Answer 3

Cervical - 7
Thoracic - 12
Lumbar - 5
Sacral - 5
Coccygeal - 3 to 4

Question 4

Where is the cervicothoracic junction located?

Answer 4

C7

Question 5

Where is the scapular spine located?

Answer 5

T3

Question 6

Where is the inferior scapular angle located?

Answer 6

T7

Question 7

Where is the 12th rib located?

Answer 7

T12

Question 8

Where is the iliac crest located?

Answer 8

L4

Question 9

What arteries are found in the cervical region?

Answer 9

Vertebral and cervical arteries

Question 10

What arteries are found in the thoracic region?

Answer 10

Posterior intercostal arteries

Question 11

What arteries are found in the lumbar region?

Answer 11

Subcostal and lumbar arteries

Question 12

What arteries are found in the sacral region?

Answer 12

Iliolumbar and medial/lateral sacral arteries

Question 13

Primary Curvatures

Answer 13

Present at birth, convex posteriorly

Examples: Thoracic, Sacral
Exaggeration: Kyphosis

Question 14

Secondary Curvatures

Answer 14

Acquired later, concave posteriorly

Examples: Cervical, Lumbar
Exaggeration: Lordosis

Question 15

Pedicles

Answer 15

Attach arch on each individual vertebrae to the body of that vertebrae

Question 16

Laminae

Answer 16

Roof of vertebral canal

Question 17

Lever-like Processes

Answer 17

Spinous process and transverse processes

Question 18

Costal Facets

Answer 18

Facets located on transverse processes

Question 19

Costal Demifacets and Facets

Answer 19

Located on vertebral bodies

Question 20

What is the purpose of transverse foraminae?

Answer 20

Passageway for arteries

Question 21

Cervical Vertebrae

Answer 21

Have transverse foraminae, oblique articular facets, C2-6 usually bifid, C7 (vertebra prominens), C1 (Atlas), C2 (Axis)

Question 22

Thoracic Vertabrae

Answer 22

Have ribs attached; bicipital ribs attached to centrum and to transverse process; centrum (body) is heart shaped, articular facets more horizontal, spinous processes longer and narrower

Question 23

Typical Thoracic Vertebrae

Answer 23

Has superior costal demifacets for articulation with head of own rib, inferior demifacets for articulation with head of inferior rib

Costal facets for tubercle of rib on transverse process for own rib

Question 24

Atypical Thoracic Vertebrae

Answer 24

T1: Complete costal demifacet for rib, inferior costal demifacet on body for rib 2

T10: Complete costal facet on pedicel and body, may have costal facet on transverse process

T11-12: Costal facet on each pedicle, no costal facets on transverse processes

Question 25

Lumbar Vertebrae

Answer 25

Large, bulky centrum; broad spinous processes, no rib articulations, articular facets are sagittal, mamillary processes on back rim of each superior articular process, origins for multifidi

Question 26

Sacral Vertebrae

Answer 26

Consists of 5 fused vertebrae; wing-like processes of each vertebra called "Alae" for attachment to ilium; lip of body of first sacral vertebra is called the sacral promontory; posterior crests (median, articular, lateral crests); have sacral hiatus

Question 27

Median Crests of Sacral Vertebrae

Answer 27

Fused spinous processes

Question 28

Intermediate Crests of Sacral Vertebrae

Answer 28

Fused articular processes

Question 29

Lateral Crests of Sacral Vertebrae

Answer 29

Fused transverse processes

Question 30

Which region is primarily responsible for flexion and extension of the body?

Answer 30

Lumbar region

Question 31

Which region is responsible for rotation of the head and neck?

Answer 31

Cervical region

Question 32

Which region is responsible for rotation of the upper trunk?

Answer 32

Thoracic region

Question 33

Discs (Symphysis)

Answer 33

20-30% of length of the column, thicker in cervical and lumbar regions (greater flexibility), thinner in thoracic region (reduced flexibility) Structure: Annulus fibrosus (fibrocartilage) and Nucleus pulposus (avascular)

Question 34

Intervertebral Articulations

Answer 34

Synovial, plane joints with no joint capsules; between superior and inferior articulating facets (direction of motion determined by orientation of facets); sacroiliac (part of synovial and part fibrous)

Question 35

Motion Segment

Answer 35

Functional unit of the spine; consists of: 2 vertebrae, intervening soft tissue, anterior segment (2 bodies, disc, longitudinal ligaments), posterior segment (2 neural arches, apophyseal joints, intervening ligaments)

Question 36

Anterior Longitudinal Ligaments

Answer 36

Limits extension, reinforces anterior annulus fibers

Question 37

Posterior Longitudinal Ligaments

Answer 37

Limits flexion, reinforces posterior annulus fibers

Question 38

Supra-Spinous Ligaments

Answer 38

Make up ligamentum nuchae

Question 39

Inter-Spinous Ligaments

Answer 39

Limits flexion, base of one spinous process to next spinous process

Question 40

Ligamentum Flavum

Answer 40

Limits flexion, extends from lamina to lamina, forms part of roof of vertebral column

Question 41

Inter-Transverse Ligaments

Answer 41

Mostly in lumbar region

Question 42

Pars Interarticularis

Answer 42

Located between inferior and superior articular facets, between lamina and pedicles of vertebrae; fractures at this point associated with spondylolysis; radiographic image looks like a "Scottie Dog", with the pars fracture indicated representing the dog's collar

Question 43

Spondyloisthesis

Answer 43

Anterior/ventral displacement of one vertebra on adjacent vertebra; common progression from spondylolysis, but can also be congenital