MS1 Osteology and Articulations Flashcards
How many vertebrae are there?
33
How many cervical vertebrae are there
7
How many thoracic vertebrae are there
12
How many lumbar vertebrae are there
5
How many sacral vertebrae are there
5
How many coccygeal vertebrae are there
4
What is the function of the spinal column
- Structural and postural support
- movement of the limbs
- protection of the spinal cord
What movements can the vertebral column perform
Flexion
Extension
Rotation
Sidebending
What are the two types of spinal curvatures
primary
secondary
How are the spinal curvatures formed
as bipedal individuals, once you start ambulating the primary curvature adds secondary curvatures to adjust to the weight
What is lordosis?
Extreme curvature of the secondary curvature of the lumbar area
“swayback deformity”
What areas have primary curvature
sacral and thoracic
What areas have secondary curvature
lumbar and cervical
What is kyphosis
extreme curvature of the primary curvature in the thoracic region
“hunchback deformity” or “dowager’s hump in osteoporosis”
What is scoliosis
extreme curvature laterally to the side
What are the possible causes of scoliosis
Congenital
Myopathic
Function
Habitual or Idiopathic
What is the congenital cause of scoliosis
Improperly formed vertebra
What is the myopathic cause of scoliosis
Resulting from asymmetric muscle weakness or spasticity
What is the functional cause of scholiosis
different leg lengths
What determines the movement in a specific area of the vertebral column
The direction of the facets
What are unique qualities of cervical vertebrae
- transverse foramen
- short spinal processes
- uncinate process
Where is the transverse foramen found and what does it transmit
found on the transverse process of cervical vertebrae (c1-C6; skips C7)
transmits the vertebral artery
Where is the transverse foramen found and what does it transmit
found on the transverse process of cervical vertebrae (c1-C6; skips C7)
transmits the vertebral artery
What is the atlas
cervical vertebrae 1
What is unique to the structure of the atlas
no vertebral body, just lateral masses
anterior and posterior arch
articulating surface for dens of C2
What is the dens
Odontoid process of C2
Strong conical process that extends superiorly into the anterior portion of the atlas
What is the function of the dens
serves as a body or pivot point for the atlas
How does the dens stay attached to C1
anchored via ligaments
What is the direction of the facets in the thoracic region
The superior articulating facets face posterior
The inferior articulating facets face anterior
Describe the direction of facets in the lumbar region
Superior articulated facet faces medial
Inferior articulating facet faces lateral
What is the sacrum composed of
5 vertebrae that fused
What is the coccyx composed of
3-4 vertebrae that fused
What is transmitted by the sacral canal
spinal nerves collectively known as cauda equina
Where do the spinal nerve roots leave the sacrum
through the foramen as spinal nerves
What is the vertebral foramen
creates a vertebral canal
What runs through the vertebral foramen
the spinal cord
What is the intervertebral foramen
a canal behind body of vertebrae and anterior to spinous process that runs straight through medially and laterally
What runs through the intervertebral foramen
transmits spinal nerves
From the skin, what aligns with the vertebra prominens
C7 spinous process
From the skin, what aligns with the spine of the scapula
T3 spinous process
From the skin, what aligns with the inferior border of the scapul
T7 spinous process
From the skin, what aligns with the 12th rib
T12 spinous process
From the skin, what aligns with the iliac crest
L4 spinous process
From the skin, what aligns with the posterior superior iliac spine
S2 spinous process
What type of joint is a zygopophyseal joint and what type in that category
synovial, plane/gliding joint
What is another name for the zygopophyseal joint
Facet joint
What are the articulations seen between vertebrae
Facet joint
Symphyses of vertebral bodies
What are zygopophyseal joints innervated by
branches of posterior rami
How can zygopophyseal joint innervation be treated clinically for inflammation of these joints
target the branches of the posterior rami
What types of movements are seen in the cervical region
wider range of motions
- flexion
- extension
- rotation
- bending
What types of movements will be seen in the thoracic region
not as much as cervical region
- flexion
- extension
- lateral flexion and rotation
What types of movements will be seen in the lumbar region
very very limited
- mostly flexion and extension
- some bending
- rotation prohibited
What are IV discs composed of
Fibrocartilage
What are the 2 parts that make up an IV disc
Anulus fibrosus
Nucleus pulposus
What type of joint is vertebral bodies with an IV disc
secondary cartilaginous joint
What vertebrae lacks an IV disc
C1 and C2
What part of the IV disc is at risk of degeneration with age
Nucleus pulposus
What causes the nucleus pulposus to be at at increased risk with degeneration with aging
it dehydrates over time