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MSK > Osteology of the vertebrae > Flashcards

Osteology of the vertebrae Flashcards

1
Q

How many vertebrae are there? How many are separate? How many are fused?

A

33; 24 separate, 9 fused to give two structures

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2
Q

What are the four general functions of the vertebral column?

A

Protection (encloses spinal cord), support (carries weight of body above pelvis), axis (centre of gravity), movement (including posture)

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3
Q

What is the vertebral body?

A

Anterior part of vertebrae, the weight bearing component

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4
Q

How does the size of the vertebral body change down the vertebrae?

A

Gets larger; bearing an increasing amount of weight each time

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5
Q

What are the superior and inferior aspects of the vertebral body lined with? What separates adjacent vertebral bodies?

A

Hyaline cartilage; vertebral bodies are separated by a fibrocartilaginous intervertebral disc

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6
Q

What part of the vertebrae is made up of the vertebral arch? What does it form with the vertebral body?

A

Lateral and posterior parts; forms an enclosed hole, called the vertebral foramen

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7
Q

What do the vertebral foramina form when lined up?

A

The vertebral canal, which encloses the spinal cord

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8
Q

With their dense bony structure, what is a clinical use of imaging of the vertebral bodies?

A

Diagnosis of osteoporosis

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9
Q

What do the pedicles of the vertebral arch join to? (other bony prominences)

A

Anteriorly joined with vertebral body, laterally joined with transverse processes, posteriorly with the articular processes

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10
Q

What is the name of the bony prominence between the pedicles and spinous process?

A

The lamina

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11
Q

In which direction do the transverse processes extend away from the pedicles?

A

Laterally and posteriorly

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12
Q

What occurs at the junction between the lamina and pedicles?

A

Superior and inferior articular process arise; they articulate with other vertebrae, above and below

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13
Q

In which direction does the spinous process point?

A

Posterior, inferior

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14
Q

What are the two general functions of the intervertebral discs?

A

Permit flexibility (supporting curvature of spine) and act as a shock absorber

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15
Q

What is the general structure of an intervertebral disc?

A

Two regions; the jelly like nucleus pulposus, surrounded by the tough, collagenous annulus fibrosis

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16
Q

What is the embryonic origin of the nucleus pulposus?

A

The notochord

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17
Q

<p>

| What happens in herniation of the IV disc?</p>

A

<p>
The nucleus pulposus ruptures, breaking through the annulus fibrosus; this occurs in a posterior and lateral direction, putting pressure on the spinal cord which can manifest clinically in a variety of neurological and muscular symptoms</p>

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18
Q

How many are there of each type of vertebrae?

A

7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 fused into the sacrum, and 4 fused into the coccyx

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19
Q

What are the three main distinguishing features of the cervical vertebrae?

A

Spinous process bifurcates into two (bifid spinous process), foramen in each transverse process (foramen transverisium), and triangular vertebral foramen

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20
Q

What are the names of cervical vertebrae 1 and 2

A

The atlas and axis

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21
Q

Which cervical vertebra does not bifurcate, and is very long?

A

C7

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22
Q

What are found on the sides of the ventral bodies of the thoracic vertebrae?

A

Two demi facets on each side, for articulation with the head of its respective rib and the rib inferior to it

23
Q

What is found on the transverse process of thoracic vertebrae?

A

Costal facet for articulation with respective rib

24
Q

Describe the spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae

A

Slanted inferiorly and anteriorly, providing increased protection to spinal cord

25
Q

Which vertebrae are the largest?

A

Lumbar

26
Q

Describe the vertebral body of lumbar vertebrae

A

Large, kidney shaped; support weight of upper body

27
Q

What is the only particularly distinctive feature of the lumbar vertebrae?

A

They have a triangular vertebral foramen

28
Q

What is the shape of the sacrum? What is found on the lateral walls?

A

Upside down triangle, apex pointing inferiorly; on the lateral walls are facets, for articulation with the pelvis at sacro-iliac joints

29
Q

How can the coccyx be recognised from the sacrum?

A

Lack of vertebral arches; hence no vertebral canal; the coccyx does not transmit the spinal cord

30
Q

What are the names of the two joints formed by the atlas (C1)?

A

Articulates with the skull above to form the atlanto-occipital joint, and the axis below to form the atlanto-axial joint

31
Q

Which significant features does the atlas lack?

A

A body or spinous process

32
Q

Which cervical vertebrae is the widest?

A

The atlas

33
Q

What is formed by the fusion of the atlas with the axial body?

A

The dens, or odontoid process

34
Q

What are the three main features of the axis?

A

The dens (or odontoid process), a rugged lateral mass, and a large spinous process

35
Q

What fractures and dislocates to give hangman’s fracture?

A

The axis pedicles

36
Q

What is the function of the dens?

A

Prevents horizontal displacement of the axis

37
Q

What are the articular surfaces of vertebral joints covered in, and connected by?

A

Covered in hyaline cartilage, connected by fibrocartilaginous IV disk

38
Q

Which ligaments strengthen the vertebral joints?

A

Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments

39
Q

What are the functions of the longitudinal ligaments of the vertebral column?

A

Anterior is thick and prevents hyperextension, posterior is weaker and prevents hyperflexion

40
Q

What are the joints between articular processes known as? What movement do they allow?

A

Facet joints; allow some gliding movement

41
Q

What are the four important ligaments of the facet joints?

A

Ligamentum flava, infraspinous, suprapsinous, intertransverse ligaments

42
Q

Where does the ligamentum flava extend between?

A

From lamina to lamina

43
Q

What are the normal curvatures of the vertebral column?

A

2 primary; thoracic and sacral (project out of back)

2 secondary; cervical and lumbar (project in)

44
Q

What is kyphosis?

A

Excessive thoracic (primary) curvature, causing a hunchback deformity

45
Q

What is lordosis?

A

Excessive (secondary) lumbar curvature, causing a swayback deformity

46
Q

What is scoliosis?

A

A lateral curvature of the spine, usually of unknown cause

47
Q

What is cervical spondylosis?

A

Decrease in size of the intervertebral foramina, usually due to degeneration of the joints of the spine; the smaller size of the intervertebral foramina puts pressure on the exiting nerves, causing pain

48
Q

What are the causes of kyphosis?

A

Erosion of the anterior part of one or more vertebrae

49
Q

What are causes of scoliosis?

A

Asymmetric weakness of the intrinsic back muscles, failure of half a vertebra to develop and a difference in length of the lower limbs

50
Q

What causes lordosis?

A

May be associated with weakened trunk musculature. In pregnancy, women develop a temporary lordosis to compensate for alterations to their line of gravity

51
Q

What anatomical abnormalities occur in the vertebral column in spina bifida?

A

Laminae of the lower lumbar and upper sacral vertebrae fail to develop normally and fuse; in extreme situations, the spinal nerves or even spinal cord protrude(s) backward out of the defect

52
Q

Which areas of the vertebrae have the freest movement? Which have minimal movement

A

Cervical and lumbar regions (large IV discs, except at neck); the thoracic have minimal movement (smaller IV discs, rib articulations)

53
Q

What movements are possible in the vertebrae?

A

Flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation

54
Q

Why are cervical vertebrae more prone to whiplash?

A

The ligaments connecting them are short and thin, for mobility; during whiplash they can be torn, causing dislocation

MSK (8 decks)

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