MSK 4: Vertebral Column

Question 0

Describe the characteristic features of the vertebrae

Answer 0

Get bigger until pelvic girdle, at sacro iliac joints
Have a:
- vertebral body: vascular, trabecular bone with layer of compact and hyaline layer. weight bearing,
- vertebral arch: 7 processes (transverse, spinous, articular processes and pedicle and lamina)
Sacrum fused in adults
Coccyx fuses after 30 hrs

Question 1

Describe the gross structure and arrangement of the vertebral column

Answer 1

Main central axis of skeleton about 72-5 cm long
Has five sections: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacrum segments and 4 coccyx segments,
Main functions: protect spinal cord and nerves, weight,most urge and locomotion, attachment for bones and muscles.
Segmental innervation of the body

Question 2

Describe the structure and classification of joints of the vertebral column

Answer 2

Between articular processes: synovial, zygaphopysial joints
Prevent anterior displacement. Weight bearing.

Intervertebral foramen: from sup and inf notches.
Segmental nerves and dorsal root ganglia pass through

Question 3

Describe how ligaments stabilise the vertebral column

Answer 3

main ligaments: anterior and posterior longitudinal, supraspinous, intraspinous, inter transverse, ligamentum flavum

Anterior: widens furthered down column, attaches to periosteum of vertebral body
Posterior: from 2nd vertebrae to top of sacrum, weaker, narrows and attaches to IV discs, posterior side
Supraspinous: strong fibrous tissues, joins spinous process, flexion prevents extension (leaning back) of spine,
Intraspinous: weak fibrous tissue, between spinous processes
Ligament nuchae, cervical region p, helps support head, maintains 2o curvature, attachments for neck and trunk muscles
Ligamentum flava: yellow, elastic, between lamina, prevents excessive flexion??

Question 4

Describe the features of intervertebral discs

Answer 4

25% of column length
High Water content
Shrink with age
Nucleus polposus , Jelly like, maintain osmotic pressure
surrounded by annulus fibrosus- layers of fibrocartilage, shock absorber

Question 5

Describe 4 conditions associated with IV discs

Answer 5

Degeneration of nucleus pulposes: Dehydrates with age which increases the strain on the facet joints- osteoarthritis of facet and osteophytosis or end plates
Compression of segmental nerves
Cervical spondylosis can occur
Degeneration of annular fibrosis, height preserved but spondylosis occurs
Degenerative disc disease
Herniated intervertebral discs: compresses spinal segmental nerves - and spinal cord: pain and paralysis.

Question 6

Describe a cervical vertebrae

Answer 6

7 cervical
Smallest
Spinous process splits- bifid
Oval transverse foramen- Vertebral artery passes through (vein in C7)
Atlas and axis - C1&2
Atlas: no body or spinous process, widest
Axis: strongest cervical vertebrae, large spinous process, has an Odontoid process/dens (prevents horizontal displacement of atlas) rugged lateral mass

Question 7

Describe thoracic vertebrae

Answer 7

12
Get larger
Facets on side of body (except t11&12) for the ribs

Question 8

Lumbar

Answer 8

5
Largest
No fora ins on transverse process
Small triangular vertebral foramen

Question 9

Describe abnormal curvatures

Answer 9

Kyphosis: primary curvatures (fetal) exaggerated
Lordosis: anterior secondary curvature exaggerated- pregnancy
Scoliosis: lateral deviation, unbalanced muscle tone of trunk muscles
Spina bifold: spinal column doesn’t fully close during development - split spine. Can damage NS.
Old age: back to primary curvature, harder to lift head. Secondary curvatures develop when lifting head and then crawling or walking.

Question 10

Give some examples of injuries to the vertebral column

Answer 10

Cervical:
whiplash in RTA.
Sport injuries

Lumbar: herniation of L4/5 L5/S1
IV discs problems: degeneration, herniation, bursting, thinning