Osteology of the vertebral column Flashcards
Definition of kyphotic
Primary curvature, normally convex segments of the spine
Definition of lordotic
Secondary curvature, normally concave segments of the spine
What are the functions of the vertebral column
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)
Describe the composition of the vertebral column and what needs to happen for movement to occur
Series of bony segments connected by discs and ligaments
Muscles provide power for movement
Only small displacements of linkages => large movement
Why does the vertebral column provide stability in movement
If there were only a few highly mobile articulation, less stable and flexible
Describe the shape and no of vertebrae at each section
7 lordotic cervical 12 kyphotic thoracic 5 lordotic lumbar 5 kyphotic sacral 4 kyphotic coccyx
How does the vertebral column develop
Starts kyphotic
Lordotic sections slowly form as we learn to keep our heads up and develop
Describe the structure of a typical vertebra
Spinous process Inferior and superior articular facet Lamina Transverse process Pedicle Vertebral foramen Body
Inferior and superior vertebral notch
Describe the internal structure of the body and the importance of it
Horizontal and vertical blood filled trabecular bone surrounded by cortical bone
Can resist stress from all directions
Blood helps to absorb load
Lamina function
Protection of vertebral column contents
Transmission of force from articular processes to body
Thickest between superior, inferior facets, helps withstand bending forces
Articular process function
Paired, superior, inferior processes with synovial joints
Permit limited movement as orientation of joints change throughout column, range of movement in each region changes
Shape of arcticular facets in the cervical vertebrae
Flat between atlas and axis
Becomes more vertical
Shape of articular facets in the thoracic vertebrae
Support from back and front, very vertical which allows flexion
Shape of articular facets in lumbar vertebrae
V rounded
V little rotation possible
Pedicle function
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
Spinous and transverse process function
Provide areas for muscle attachment
General structure of cervical vertebrae
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
Typical features of the atlas
No body
Figure of 8 shaped superior articular facet
Circular inferior facet
Has a facet for the dens
Typical features of the axis
Dens instead of body
Typical features of C7
Vertebral prominent instead of spine
How is weight distributed on the cervical vertebrae
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
Thoracic vertebrae and how to distinguish between them
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
Lumbar vertebrae and how to distinguish between them
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
Sacrum and coccyx and how to distinguish between them
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
Describe the sacroiliac joint and its function
Synovial part on anterior side
Large gap for interosseous sacroiliac ligament
Prevents the sacrum from being pushed down and back
