Osteology of the Spine

Question 1

Define osteology

Answer 1

The scientific study of bones

Question 2

What elements make up the vertebral column?

Answer 2

26 elements

• 24 individual vertebrae (7C, 12T, 5L)
• sacrum (5 fused)
• coccygeal (3-5 fused)

Question 3

How long is the typical spine, and how does that change with age?

Answer 3

Females 25 in, males 28 in.

We lose ~25% of length with age

Question 4

What bones make up the axial skeleton?

Answer 4

Skull, sternum, ribs, vertebral column, sacrum, coccyx.

Not included in our course: ear ossicles, hyoid bone

Question 5

Which bones are functionally associated with the vertebral column?

Answer 5

Sternum, ribs, temporal bone, occipital bone, os coxae

Question 6

What are the components of the os coxae?

Answer 6

Ilium, ischium, pubis.

Question 7

What are the functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 7

1. Flexibility (permits movement)
2. Protection of spinal cord
3. Absorbs force
4. Transfer of weight (to lower extremity)
5. Supports head

Question 8

Name the 5 regions of the vertebral column, and the number of vertebrae in each.

Answer 8

Cervical (C) - 5 vertebrae
Thoracic (T) - 12 vertebrae
Lumbar (L) - 5 vertebrae
Sacral (S) - 5 fused vertebrae
Coccygeal (Cx) - 3-5 fused vertebrae

Question 9

Which spinal curvature occurs in the sagittal plane? Where in the spine does it occur?

Answer 9

Primary/ Kyphosis in the thoracic and sacral region.

Secondary/Lordosis in the cervical and lumbar region.

Question 10

Explain kyphotic curvature.

Answer 10

Curve of the spine that is present at birth (primary curve). The concavity of the spine faces anteriorly. Occurs in the thoracic and sacral regions.

Question 11

What is a primary curve of the spine?

Answer 11

Kyphotic curve.
Curve of the spine that is present at birth. The concavity of the spine faces anteriorly. Occurs in the thoracic and sacral regions.

Question 12

Explain lordotic curvature.

Answer 12

Curvature of the spine that develops after birth (secondary curve). The concavity of the spine faces posteriorly. Occurs in the cervical and lumbar regions.

Question 13

What is the secondary curve of the spine?

Answer 13

Lordotic curve.
Curvature of the spine that develops after birth. The concavity of the spine faces posteriorly. Occurs in the cervical and lumbar regions.

Question 14

How would we define an abnormal curvature of the spine?

Answer 14

Using the prefix hyper (ie. hyper lordosis). We may also use the condition name itself, as “osis ” refers to “a condition”

Question 15

Which curvature of the spine occurs in the coronal plane?

Answer 15

Scoliosis (abnormal curvature)

Question 16

What are some potential causes for scoliosis?

Answer 16

65% of cases are idiopathic (have undetermined causes).

Possible causes include asymmetries in leg length, sacral development, os coxae development, and muscle imbalance.

Question 17

Explain the hangman’s fracture.

Answer 17

Bilateral fracture of partes interarticulares or lamina.

Can occur from an MVA or fall (elderly).

Question 18

Which is the weight-bearing portion of a vertebra?

Answer 18

Vertebral body

Question 19

Which process protrudes posteriorly from the vertebral arch?

Answer 19

Spinous process

Question 20

Which process protrudes lateral from the vertebral arch?

Answer 20

Transverse process

Question 21

Where is the spinal cord housed?

Answer 21

Vertebral foramen

Question 22

Name the parts of the vertebra that make up the vertebral arch.

Answer 22

Pedicle, transverse processes, lamina, spinous processes.

Question 23

When they articulate, which two parts make up a facet joint?

Answer 23

[Facets of the] Superior articular process of the distal vertebra and the inferior articular process of the proximal vertebra

Question 24

What is the function of the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 24

Allows the spinal nerves to exit the SC.

Question 25

What is the name(s) of the joint created by the superior and inferior articulate processes of the individual vertebra?

Answer 25

Facet joints, zygapophyseal joint, z joint.

Question 26

What is a facet?

Answer 26

Smooth, articulating portion that will form a joint.

Question 27

Where would you find the pars interarticularis?

Answer 27

“Between the articulating parts”…

In a lateral view, between the superior and inferior articular processes.

Question 28

What is the axial skeleton?

Answer 28

Bones of the head and trunk.

Question 29

How does an infant develop a cervical curve?

Answer 29

“Tummy time” - learning to balance the head. First lordotic curve to appear.

Question 30

How does an infant develop a lumbar curve?

Answer 30

Sitting, crawling, and walking (learning to shift weight posteriorly). Fully develops around age 10.