Lesson 5: Vertebral Column Flashcards
How many bones does the vertebral column contain?
31
What are the primary and secondary curves in the human spine?
Thoracic and pelvic are primary since birth
Cervical and lumbar are secondary curves that develop after birth.
An abnormal lateral rotation of the spine, normally occurring in the thoracic region
Scoliosis
An abnormal dorsal thoracic common in people with osteoporosis; often known as “hunchback”
Kyphosis
“Swayback”, an accentuated lumbar curvature that is often seen in pregnant people or people who carry more weight in their stomachs.
Lordosis
With the exception of C1, which does not have a body, the body is the most anterior and largest vertebral feature—separated from the adjacent bodies above and below by a fibrous cartilaginous intervertebral disc.
Vertebral body
An opening located posterior to the vertebral body for the passage of the spinal cord and meninges
Vertebral foramen
An opening located between the adjacent vertebrae that allows the spinal nerves to exit the vertebral canal
Intervertebral foramen
A projection extending posteriorly in the midline
Spinous process
A projection that extends laterally from the side of the vertebra at the junction
Transverse process
How many bones are in the cervical spine?
7, with C1 and C2 being specialized vertebrae (allows head to rotate on the neck)
The atlas does not have a body; it is a ring of bone that articulates with the occipital bone of the cranium.
C1 (atlas)
The body of the axis has an upward projection (dens) upon which the atlas can rotate.
C2 (axis)
What are the details of the cervical vertebrae? Vertebral foramen? Body (C2-C7)? Spinous process? Transverse process?
Large and triangular
Small and broad
Short and bifid (C7 has an extended process)
Short, with a transverse foramen for the passage of the vertebral arteries
What are the details of the thoracic vertebrae? Vertebral foramen? Body? Spinous process? Transverse process?
Small and round
Heart-shaped
Long and thin
Large and club-like
How many bones are in the thoracic vertebrae?
12 (form the vertebral column of the thorax and articulate with the ribs)
How many bones in the lumbar vertebrae?
5 (largest vertebrae, which are designed to support the weight of the body)
What are the details of the lumbar vertebrae? Vertebral foramen? Body? Spinous process? Transverse process?
Triangular
Large and kidney-shaped
Quadrangular
Long and thin
How many bones are in the sacrum and coccyx?
Five sacral vertebrae fuse to form the large triangular sacrum. Concave anteriorly and articulates laterally with the hip bones
3-5 coccygeal vertebrae fuse to form the coccyx
What makes up the thoracic cage?
12 thoracic vertebrae, 12 ribs, and the sternum
What are the parts of the sternum?
Manubrium, body, and xiphoid process
The superior sternal bone that is triangular in shape and extends from T3 to T4
Manubrium
The middle sternal bone that extends from T5 to T9
Body
The inferior sternal bone that is thin and pointed
Xiphoid process
Which ribs attach anteriorly to the sternum via strips of costal cartilage?
Ribs 1-7, aka true ribs
Which ribs are attached to the 7th costal cartilage?
Ribs 8-10, aka false ribs b/c they don’t have their own dedicated costal cartilage
Which ribs DO NOT attach to the sternum at all?
Ribs 11-12, aka floating ribs
What are the articulations of the ribs?
Every rib forms an articulation with a facet on the body of its corresponding vertebra
Ribs 1-10 form a secondary articulation with the transverse process
Ribs 2-10 articulate with a facet on the vertebra superior to them
Describe the 1st rib
Short, broad, flattened, and markedly curved
Head: located at the posterior aspect of the rib; small and rounded; articulates with the body of T1
Neck: joins the head of the shaft
Describe the 6th rib
Typical rib; has a head, neck, and shaft
Head: expanded; it has two facets for T5 and T6
Shaft: thin, flat, and curved
Describe the 12 rib
Head: large, with one articular facet for T12
Shaft: very short, without a tubercle