Lumbar Spine Arthrology Flashcards
Vertebral arch of a typical vertebra
- Posterior part of the vertebrae
- It is attached to the body of the vertebra
- It is sometimes referred to as the neural arch
- It is formed by 2 pedicles and 2 laminae
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Located on the anterior aspect of vertebral bodies
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Located in the neural canal on the posterior aspect of vertebral bodies
Ligamentum flavum
Connects adjacent laminae of the vertebral arches
Interspinous ligament
Connects adjacent spinous processes
Supraspinous ligament
Connects the tips of adjacent spinous processes
Intertransverse ligament
Connects adjacent transverse processes
Intervertebral discs thickness:
Differs in different parts along the vertebral column
Classify joints between vertebral bodies
Secondary cartilaginous joints
Classify joints between vertebral arches
Synovial plane joints
How are the vertebral bodies connected?
Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments and fibrocartilaginous intervertebral discs
What are zygoapopheseal joints (facet joints) formed by
Opposing articular processes
How many vertebrae in the vertebral coloumn?
33
How many vertebrae are usually movable?
24
Which vertebrae are the smallest movable vertebrae?
7 cervical vertebrae
Which vertebrae are largest?
5 lumbar vertebrae
Functions of intervertebral discs
- Shock absorbers for axial forces
- Inner nucleus pulposus acts like a semifliud ball in young people during movements of the vertebral column
- Allow tilt with no contact with the lower v.
BODY
Large, wider from side to side than from front to back.
Flattened or slightly concave above and below.
Concave behind
Deeply constricted in front and to the sides.
PEDICLE
One of a pair.
Short, thick process
Projects dorsally from superior part of body
Connects the body of vertebra to the arch
TRANSVERSE PROCESS
One of a pair.
They project one at either side from the point where the lamina joins the pedicle, between the superior and inferior articular processes. They serve for the attachment of muscles and ligaments.
SUPERIOR ARTICULAR PROCESS
A projection which serves to fit one vertebra with an adjacent vertebra. This projection is upwards from a lower vertebra.
SPINOUS PROCESS
Directed backward and downward from the junction of the laminae and serves for the attachment of muscles and ligaments.
LAMINA
A broad plate, extending dorsally and medially from the pedicle, fusing to complete the roof of the vertebral arch.
SUPERIOR ARTICULAR FACET
The actual region of contact between two adjacent vertebrae. This facet is on the lower of the two vertebrae and it projects upwards to make contact with the vertebra above.
