Osteology of the vertebral column

Question 1

Definition of kyphotic

Answer 1

Primary curvature, normally convex segments of the spine

Question 2

Definition of lordotic

Answer 2

Secondary curvature, normally concave segments of the spine

Question 3

What are the functions of the vertebral column

Answer 3

Main axial support for the body
-Attachment for skull, thorax, pelvic girdle

Protection

• Spinal cord within vertebral foramen
• Openings between adjacent vertebrae => passage of spinal nerves

Flexibility
-Trunk movements (twisting, bending, load carrying)

Question 4

Describe the composition of the vertebral column and what needs to happen for movement to occur

Answer 4

Series of bony segments connected by discs and ligaments
Muscles provide power for movement
Only small displacements of linkages => large movement

Question 5

Why does the vertebral column provide stability in movement

Answer 5

If there were only a few highly mobile articulation, less stable and flexible

Question 6

Describe the shape and no of vertebrae at each section

Answer 6

7 lordotic cervical
12 kyphotic thoracic
5 lordotic lumbar
5 kyphotic sacral
4 kyphotic coccyx

Question 7

How does the vertebral column develop

Answer 7

Starts kyphotic

Lordotic sections slowly form as we learn to keep our heads up and develop

Question 8

Describe the structure of a typical vertebra

Answer 8

Spinous process
Inferior and superior articular facet
Lamina
Transverse process
Pedicle
Vertebral foramen
Body

Inferior and superior vertebral notch

Question 9

Describe the internal structure of the body and the importance of it

Answer 9

Horizontal and vertical blood filled trabecular bone surrounded by cortical bone

Can resist stress from all directions
Blood helps to absorb load

Question 10

Lamina function

Answer 10

Protection of vertebral column contents
Transmission of force from articular processes to body
Thickest between superior, inferior facets, helps withstand bending forces

Question 11

Articular process function

Answer 11

Paired, superior, inferior processes with synovial joints

Permit limited movement as orientation of joints change throughout column, range of movement in each region changes

Question 12

Shape of arcticular facets in the cervical vertebrae

Answer 12

Flat between atlas and axis

Becomes more vertical

Question 13

Shape of articular facets in the thoracic vertebrae

Answer 13

Support from back and front, very vertical which allows flexion

Question 14

Shape of articular facets in lumbar vertebrae

Answer 14

V rounded

V little rotation possible

Question 15

Pedicle function

Answer 15

Connection between posterior elements and body of vertebra
Body not designed for testing, sliding
Pedicles channel forces towards the body and resist bending

Greatest amount of meshing around pedicle from trabecular

Question 16

Spinous and transverse process function

Answer 16

Provide areas for muscle attachment

Question 17

General structure of cervical vertebrae

Answer 17

Body with neurocentral articulation
Anterior and posterior tubercle, for scalene attachment
Foramen transversarium for vertebral arteries
Large vertebral foramen for nerves
Superior and inferior facets
Lamina

Question 18

Typical features of the atlas

Answer 18

No body
Figure of 8 shaped superior articular facet
Circular inferior facet
Has a facet for the dens

Question 19

Typical features of the axis

Answer 19

Dens instead of body

Question 20

Typical features of C7

Answer 20

Vertebral prominent instead of spine

Question 21

How is weight distributed on the cervical vertebrae

Answer 21

Head on 2 occipital condyles
Both occipital condyles on 1 lateral masses of atlas
Atlas on axis, channels mass down onto C3 onwards

Synovial joints found in-between each layer

Question 22

Thoracic vertebrae and how to distinguish between them

Answer 22

Have demi facets, articulate with head of ribs
Heart shaped vertebral body
Have coastal facets on transverse processes, articulate with rib tubercles (T1-10 only)
Spinous processes are long, inferior slant for increased protection

Question 23

Lumbar vertebrae and how to distinguish between them

Answer 23

Don’t have foramina in transverse processes online cervical
No articulations for ribs unlike thoracic

Have maxillary, accessory, transverse processes
As you go down lumbar, foramen becomes more triangular from a circle

Question 24

Sacrum and coccyx and how to distinguish between them

Answer 24

Fused together but remnants of fusion can still be seen
Sacrum has ala
Synovial joints between ala and ilium for stress relief the movement
Have pelvic sacral foramina

Question 25

Describe the sacroiliac joint and its function

Answer 25

Synovial part on anterior side
Large gap for interosseous sacroiliac ligament

Prevents the sacrum from being pushed down and back