Lecture 5 - The Back: Vertebral column

Question 1

What are the functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

Movement

Support

Protection of spinal cord

Provides attachment for limb girdles & trunk muscles

Question 2

Where are the curvatures of the spine?

Answer 2

In the thoracic region and in the sacrum there is a concave curvatures facing forwards (kyphosis)

In the cervical and lumbar region there are concave curvatures facing backwards (lordosis)

Question 3

Describe the development of the curvatures of the back

Answer 3

Before birth the whole vertebral column is concave anteriorly (this is why the thoracic and sacral kyphoses are called primary curvatures )

The secondary curvatures (cervical and lumbar lordoses) begin to form once the infant starts to lift up its head to and begins to stand

Question 4

What is lateral flexion of the spine called?

Answer 4

Scoliosis

Question 5

Label this

Answer 5

Question 6

Describe a typical cervical vertebrae

Answer 6

The body is small, delicate and saddle shaped.

The arch has a short, bifid spinous process (except C7)

The vertebral foramen is large and triangular shaped, and in their transverse process they have a transverse foramen

Question 7

What are the atypical cervical vertebra?

Answer 7

The atlas (C1) and axis (C2)

The atlas articulates with the occiptal condyles, and with the axis below

Question 8

How does the neck rotate, and what joint allows this?

Answer 8

The dens of the axis allows the head and atlas to rotate. The dens is a vertebral body of the axis that projects upwards and is held in place by a strong transverse ligament

neck flexion and extension is done via the Atlanto-occipital joint

Question 9

Label these thoracic vertebrae

Answer 9

Question 10

What does the vertebral foramen of the vertebrae form when the spinal column is fully intact?

Answer 10

The vertebral canal

Question 11

Between the inferior notch of the pedicle of a vertebrae above, and the superior notch of the pedicle on the vertebrae below, what is formed?

Answer 11

The intervertebral foramen

Question 12

What passes through the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 12

It provides a gateway for:

• A spinal nerve
• segmental spinal artery
• spinal veins

Question 13

How do thoracic vertebrae differ from the cervical and lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 13

The 12 thoracic vertebrae are characterised by their artiuclation with the ribs

Each vertebral body of a thoracic vertebrae has a superior and infereior costal facet which articulates with the ribs

Question 14

Label the inferior and superior costal facets

Answer 14

Question 15

Why are lumbar punctures done in the lumbar region?

Answer 15

The lumbar vertebrae don’t overlap, and this gives a posterior space between the vertebrae

Since the spinal cord finishes at L1, a lumbar puncture can be done further down the lumbar region in the posterior space of two vertebrae

Question 16

Describe the movements of flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation, and what is rotation restricted by?

Answer 16

Flexion = bending over

Extension = opposite of bending over

Rotation = rotating trunk - restricted by ribs

Question 17

Label this

Answer 17

Question 18

How many vertebrae make up the sacrum, and where are the foramina located?

Answer 18

The sacrum consists of 5 fused sacral vertebrae and has both anterior and posterior foramina

Question 19

Describe the components of a intervertebral disc

Answer 19

An intervertebral disc consists of a central nucleus pulposus, which is a shocker absorber with a gel like consistency.

Surrounding the nucleus pulposus is the annulus fibrosus, which are concentric layers of fibrocartilage.

Question 20

What are the functions of an intervertebral disc?

Answer 20

• Resist compression
• Binds vertebrae
• Absorbs shock
• Resists motion
  
  • Provides stability and mobility

Question 21

How does an intervertebral disc prolapse occur?

Answer 21

A tear can occur in the anulus fibrosis, and the nucleus pulposus can track outwards and can impinge on the roots of the lumbar nerves. It can protrude posterolaterally and impinge on the descending root.

Question 22

What are the synovial intervertebral joints called?

Answer 22

Zygapophyseal joints

Question 23

What dictates the type of movement allowed in each region?

Answer 23

The orientation of the articular surfaces

Question 24

What movements are permitted by the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 24

Flexion

Exstension

Lateral flexion

Rotation

Question 25

What movements are permitted by the thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 25

Trunk rotation

Question 26

What movements does the lumbar vertebrae permit?

Answer 26

Flexion

Extension

Lateral flexion

Question 27

What ligaments support the intervertebral joints?

Answer 27

Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments

Question 28

Label these ligaments

Answer 28

Question 29

Which ligament joints the laminae of adjacent vertebrae?

Answer 29

Ligamentum Flavum

Question 30

Which ligament joins the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae, and which liagement joints the tips of the spinous processes?

Answer 30

Interspinous ligament

Tips are joint together by Supraspinous ligament

Question 31

In the cervical region, what does the supraspinous ligament become between C7 and base of skull?

Answer 31

Ligamentum nuchae

Question 32

Label this

Answer 32

Question 33

Label this

Answer 33

Question 34

Which major muscles perform extension of the trunk?

Answer 34

Erector spinae

Multifidus

Semispinalis

Thoracis

Gluteus maximus

Question 35

Which muscles perform flexion of the trunk?

Answer 35

Rectus abdominus

Psoas major

Question 36

Which muscle performs lateral flexion and rotation of the neck?

Answer 36

Sternocleidomastoid