Part 5 Flashcards
Vertebral Column (Spine)
Serves as the axial support of the body. (Extends from the skull to the pelvis, where it transmits the weight of the body to the lower limbs. Formed from 26 irregular bones connected with ligaments that makes it flexible)
Before birth, how many bones are there in the spine and what are they called?
There are 33 bones in the spine before birth and they are called Vertebrae.
What happens to the 33 bones in the spine?
9 bones fuse together to from two composite bones (Sacrum, Coccyx) which construct the inferior portion the vertebral column
What is the Sacrum?
Located below the lumbar vertebrae and make up of 5 fused verebrae
What is the Coccyx?
Located below the sacrum; made up of 4 fused vertebrae. also known as the human tailbone
What 3 sections of the spine are there?
Cervical Vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae
How many bones are in the Cervical Vertebrae?
There are 7 Vertebrae of the neck
How many bones are in the Thoracic Vertebrae?
There are 12 and its the midsection of the back
How many bones are in the Lumbar Vertebrae?
There are 5 vertebrae that support the lower back
What is an easy way of remembering how many bones are in each section?
7 AM, 12 NOON, 5 PM
Interverebral Discs-
pads of flexible fibro-cartilage that separate single verebrae (Cushions the vertebrae and absorb shock)
Herniated Discs-
slipped intervertebral discs that tend to be in older people due to the dying of sics and weakening of the ligaments of the vertebral column
The discs and the S-shaped structure of the vertebral column work together to-
prevent shock to the head when we walk or run and make the body trunk flexible
How many types of abnormal spinal curvatures are there and what are the names?
3; Scoliosis, Kyphosis, Lordosis; they may be from disease, poor posture or unequal muscle pull on the spine
Why are the two first cervical vertebrae bones different and what are their names?
Atlas and Axis; perform functions not shared by other cervical verebrae
What are Characteristics of Atlas (C1) and what is its function?
It has no body, contain large depressions that receive the occipital condyles of the skull (which allows the joint to nod yes with your head)
What are the characteristics of Axis (C2) and what is its function?
Acts as a pivot for the rotation of the atlas and skull above. It has a odontoid process (or dens) which acts as the pivot point. Allows the head to move from side to side to indicate “no”
What are the “Typical” Cervical Vertebrae?
Includes the C3 through C7 and are the smallest and lightest vertebrae.
What is the Spinous processes in the cervical vertebrae?
Short and divided into two brances
What is the Transverse processes?
Contain foramina (openings) through which the vertebral arteries pass on their way to the brain above. (Anytime you see these foramina in a vertebra, you should know immediately that it is a cervical vertebrae)
How many thoracic vertebrae are all typical and are they bigger then cervical vertebrae?
T1 through T12 are all typical and are all larger than cervical vertebrae.
What are some characteristics of the body of the thoracic vertebra?
Its somewhat heart-shaped and has two costal demifacets on each side that receive the heads of the ribs.
What is the Spinous process in the Thoracic vertebra?
Its long and hooks downward causing the vertebra to look like a giraffes head viewed from the side
How man Lumbar vertebrae are there?
There are 5 Lumbar vertebrae bones (L1-L5) and have massive, blocklike bodies. Since most of the stress on the vertebral column occurs in the lumbar region, these are the sturdiest of all vertebrae.
