NEURO 1 - Spine Flashcards
Typical parts of vertebrae
- vertebral body
- pedicle
- lamina
- superior articular process
- inferior articular process
- spinous process
- transverse processes
Which projections of the vertebra allow them to fit with adjacent vertebra?
superior and inferior articular processes
What is the intervertebral foramen?
where spinal nerves exit the spinal canal
How many curves of the vertebra are there?
4
- cervical
- thoracic
- lumbar
- sacral
How many vertebra are there?
- 7 cervical
- 12 thoracic
- 5 lumbar
- 5 sacral (fused)
- 4 coccygeal
Features of cervical vertebra
- small body
- bifid spinous process
- triangular vertebral foramen
- 2 transverse foramen
- small transverse processes
What is special about the C7 vertebra?
- longest spinous process
- NOT BIFID
- transverse process only transmits VERTEBRAL VEIN
Purpose and location of transverse foramen
- found in transverse processes of cervical vertebra
- transmits vertebral artery and veins
Features of thoracic vertebra
- heart shape body
- long, thick spinous process
- INFERIOR PROJECTION of spinous process
- circular vertebral foramen
- costal/articular facets for ribs
What is significant about T11 and T12
FLOATING RIBS - they dont have articular/costal facets
Features of lumbar vertebra
- kidney shape body
- short, blunt spinous process
- triangular vertebral foramen
- slender transverse process
Classify the bodies of the vertebra, largest to smallest
- lumbar
- thoracic
- cervical
Which cervical vertebra are atypical?
1, 2 and 7
What are the atlas and axis?
ATLAS: C1
AXIS: C2
Features of the atlas
- no body
- no spinous process
- supports globe of the head
Features of the axis
- ODONTOID PEG/DENS
- no body
- bifid spinous process
Components of intervertebral discs
- nucleus pulposus - gellike
- annulus fibrosus - concentric layers of collagen
Functions of the intervertebral discs
- shock absorbers
- act as ligaments holding vertebra together
- allow slight mobility
Interspinous ligament
connects adjoining spinous processes of vertebra
Supraspinous ligament
- most posterior
- connects tip of spinous processes
Ligamentum flavum
connect lamina of adjacent vertebrae
Name the structures the needle passes through to administer an epidural
- skin
- superficial and deep fascia
- supraspinous ligament
- interspinous ligament
- ligamentum flavum
- EPIDURAL SPACE
What are the anterior and posterior longditudinal ligaments?
continuous bands down the anterior and posterior surfaces of the vertebral column
Where is the epidural space?
space between the vertebra and dura mater of the spinal cord
What does the epidural space contain?
- small arteries supplying the spinal cord
- vertebral venous plexuses with no valves
What is the vertebral canal?
the space where the spinal cord passes through
What is the cauda equina?
leash like nerves hanging descending below the termination of the spinal cord
- LUMBAR AND SACRAL NERVES
What is the filum terminale?
prolongation of pia mater - descends and attaches to the back of the coccyx
What does the denticulate ligament do?
attaches pia mater to arachnoid and dura mater
- suspends the spinal cord
- stops it from floating around
