Lecture 2: Back Osteology Flashcards
Unique Cervical Vertebrae Features (5)
- bifed spinous process (two heads)
- large triangular vertebral foramen
- anterior/posterior tubercles of transverse processes
- transverse foramen
- costotransverse bar
What is the only vertebrae without a body?
C1
Atypical Cervical Vertebrae (C1, C2, C7) features
C1 –> fovea for dens, Transverse L. tubercles, anterior and posterior tubercles, no body
C2 –> Odontoid Process (Dens)
C7 –> long and well pronounced Spinous Process
What is a “Jefferson” or “Burst” fracture?
- fracture of BOTH arches of vertebra caused by blow to the top of the head or diving accident
- if Transverse L. is hurt, odontoid process can injure the spinal cord
What is a “Hangmans Fracture”?
- damage to vertebral arch of C2
- hyperextension of head on the neck (NOT WHIPLASH)
What causes an Odontoid Process fracture?
- due to horizontal blow to the head
- will not heal properly if odontoid process broken at base (not close to blood supply)
What is Spina Bifida Occulta and where does it normally occur?
- vertebral lamina fails to fuse and close off vertebral canal
- occurs at L5 and S1 (tuft of hair over cord)
Unique Thoracic Vertebrae features (4)
- small round vertebral foramen
- “heart”-shaped vertebral body
- well pronounced lamina
- strongly inferiorly directed Spinous Process
Why is it easier to dislocate cervical vertebrae than other vertebrae?
- because articulating facets are more horizontal, thus requiring less force to dislocate
- large vertebral foramen usually means there is no injury to spinal cord
How do ribs articulate with Thoracic Vertebrae?
- head of rib articulates w/Inferior Costal Demifacet of the vertebrae above the rib number, and the Superior Costal Demifacet and Transverse Costal Facet of the vertebrae of the rib number
What is Spondylosis?
- degenerative disease involving calcification of the edges of the vertebral body = pain and stiffness
What is Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis?
Spondylolysis –> separation of vertebra arch from body
Spondylolisthesis –> anterior displacement of vertebral body on inferior vertebral segment
Unique Lumbar Vertebrae features (6)
- large oval vertebral foramen
- long slender transverse process
- large kidney shaped vertebral body
- mammillary process (on superior articulating process)
- accessory process (on transverse process)
- short, sturdy “hachet” shaped spinous process
What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
- narrowing of lumbar vertebral foramen
- compress spinal nerve roots
Where is the best location for lumbar puncture?
- Between L3/L4 and L4/L5
- typically chosen to prevent damage to the spinal cord
