M: Vertebral column and spinal cord Flashcards
What are the 7 components of the back (the posterior part of the trunk)?
1) Skin
2) Subcutaneous tissue
3) Vertebral column
4) Spinal cord and meninges
5) Ribs
6) Nerves and vessels
7) Muscles
What are the 2 main parts of a typical vertebra?
1) Body which supports the vertebral column and is connected to the intervertebral discs
2) A vertebral/neural arch posteriorly
What are the 4 subdivision of the vertebral arch?
1) Pedicle
2) lamina
3) Superior and inferior articular processes
4) Spinous and transverse processes
What is meant by the vertebra prominens and what is it used for?
Spinous process of C7, used as a bony landmark to count vertebra
Which 3 structures hold vertebra together?
1) Facet joints
2) Intervertebral discs
3) Ligaments
What do zygapophyseal joints connect?
The superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebra
What structure provides flexability to the spine aswell as acting as shock absorbers?
Intervertebral discs
What are the attachments and function of the anterior longitudinal ligament?
Superiorly - base of skull
Inferiorly - anterior surface of the sacrum
Along its length it is attached to the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs
Function - Resists hyperextension (only ligament to do so)
What are the attachments and function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?
Superiorly - Intracranial aspect of base of skull
Inferiorly - posterior surface of sacrum
Along its length it is attached to the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs
Function - prevents posterior herniation of intervertebral discs and resists hyperflexion
What is the name of the upper part of the posterior longitudinal ligament from the base of the skull to CII?
Tectorial membrane
What are the attachments of the ligamentum flavum and its function?
Anterior surface of the lamina of the vertebra above
Posterior surface of the lamina of the vertebra below
Function - Forms part of the posterior surface of the vertebral canal, resists separation of the lamina in flexion and assists in extension back to the anatomical position
Describe the ligamentum nuchae?
Triangular, sheet like structure in the median sagittal plane
What are the attachments of the ligamentum nuchae?
Base - attached to skull from external occipital protuberance to foramen magnum
Apex - spinous process of C7
Length - posterior tubercle C1 and spinous processes C2-6
What is the function of the ligamentum nuchae?
Supports the head, resists flexion, facilitates turning the head back to anatomical position and provides a sight for muscle attachment
What are the attachments and function of the interspinous ligaments?
Base to apex of each spinous process, blend with the supraspinous ligament posteriorly and the ligamentum flavum anteriorly on each side
Function - resists hyperflexion of the vertebral column
What does the subarachnoid space of the vertebral canal contain?
CSF produced in the cerebral ventricular system Arachnoid trabeculae (continuous with the pia and arachnoid mater) Large blood vessels suspended by similar strands of material which expand over the vessels to form a continuous external coat
What is the epidural space?
Space between the dura and vertebrae
What does the epidural space contain? 6
Connective tissue Fat Internal vertebral venous plexus Lymphatics Arteries Spinal nerve roots
Where does the anterior spinal artery originate, which part of the spinal cord does it supply?
Originates within the cranial cavity from vertebral arteries
Supplies the anterior portion of the spinal cord
Where do the posterior spinal arteries originate, which part of the spinal cord do they supply?
Originate in the cranial cavity arising from the posterior inferior cerebellar artery from vertebral arteries
Supply the respective ipsilateral grey and white posterior columns of the spinal cord
The anterior and posterior spinal arteries are small, what are they reinforced by? How do these enter the vertebral canal?
Reinforced by radicular branches of the intercostal and lumbar arteries which enter the vertebral canal through the intervertebral foramina