M4: Vertebral Column Flashcards
no body
Atlas
forms body of atlas
Axis
not bifid
Vertebral Prominens
pathway for cervical nerves
Transverse Foramen
Functions of vertebral column
supports head
important attachments for ligaments and muscles
Howmany vertebrae on
a newborn
Cervical - 7
Thoracic - 12
Lumbar - 5
Sacral - 5
Coccyx - 4
articular joint for ribs
direction of spinous process is inferior
spinous process overlap
Thoracic vertebrae
have articular facets or
transverse process
T1 - T10
square -shaped
transverse foramen
bifid Spinous process
Cervical Vertebrae
square -shaped
transverse foramen
bifid Spinous process
Cervical Vertebrae
Kidney - shaped
large body
Lumbar vertebrae
Kidney - shaped
large body
Lumbar vertebrae
fve rudimentary vertebrae fused together | form a wedge-shaped bone | Anteriorly
Sacrum
upper border | articulates c the 5th lumbar vertebrae
Base
upper border | articulates c the 5th lumbar vertebrae
Base
Narrow inferior border | Articulates c Coccyx
Apex
Narrow inferior border | Articulates c Coccyx
Apex
Sacrum articulates with two iliac bones (laterally)
Sacroiliac Joints
■ anterior and upper margin of the frst sacral vertebra bulges forward
■ Female - considerable obstetric importance | used when measuring the size
of the pelvis
■ posterior margin of the pelvic inlet
Sacral Promontory
○ Continuation of the vertebral column
○ contains the cauda equina & lower part of the
subarachnoid space ( up to the2nd sacral
vertebra)
Sacral Canal
○ laminae of the 4th or 5th sacral vertebra fail to
meet in the midline
○ Posterior inferior end of the sacral canal is
devoid of a bony cover → canal easily accessibl
Sacral hiatus
○ anterior and posterior surfaces of the sacrum
each have four foramina
○ passage of the anterior and posterior rami of
the upper four sacral nerves
Sacral Foramina
○ anterior and posterior surfaces of the sacrum
each have four foramina
○ passage of the anterior and posterior rami of
the upper four sacral nerves
Sacral Foramina
○ 5th lumbar vertebrae incorporated into the sacrum
○ usually incomplete and may be limited to one side
sacralization of L5
○ frst sacral vertebra is partially or completely separate from the sacrum
○ resemble a sixth lumbar vertebra
○ large extent of the posterior wall of the sa
Lumbarization of S1
● consists of four vertebrae fused together to
form a single, small triangular bone | articulates
at its base with the lower end of the sacrum
○ frst coccygeal vertebra is usually not
fused or is incompletely fused with the
second vertebra
→ free vertebra usually projects
downward and anteriorly from the
apex of the sacrum
○ coccyx may have only three or up to fve
vertebr
Coccyx
● consists of four vertebrae fused together to
form a single, small triangular bone | articulates
at its base with the lower end of the sacrum
○ frst coccygeal vertebra is usually not
fused or is incompletely fused with the
second vertebra
→ free vertebra usually projects
downward and anteriorly from the
apex of the sacrum
○ coccyx may have only three or up to fve
vertebr
Coccyx