Session 2: Vertebral Column and Spinal Cord Flashcards
Which part is the lamina of the vertebra?
Between the spinous process and the transverse process
Where is the pedicle
Between the transverse process and the vertebral body
What name is giving to the joints between the articular facets ofadjacent vertebrae?
Zygapophysial joints
Describe some distinctive features of cervical vertebrae.
Triangular vertebral foramen Short, square vertebral body Transverse foramina in the transverse processes Bifid spine (except C1 and C7) Atlas and axis (C1 and C2) are specialized for movement
Describe some distinctive features of thoracic vertebrae.
Bigger than cervical vertebrae Circular vertebral foramen Heart shaped vertebral body Spinous process pointing sharply downwards Transverse costal facets (for rib articulation)
Describe some distinctive features of lumbar vertebrae.
LARGE Articular facets are angled to limit movement Thin, long transverse processes (except L5) Triangular vertebral foramen Cylindrical vertebral body
How many bones fuse to form the sacrum?
5
Describe the structure of the sacrum.
Concave anterior surface Triangular in shape L shaped articular facets (for articulation with pelvic bones)
How many bones fuse to form the coccyx?
3-4 Vertebral arches and canal are absent
What two types of joint are found between vertebrae?
Symphyses – between adjacent vertebral bodies Synovial Joints – between articular processes
How many joints are there between two typical vertebrae?
6 2 symphyses (above and below) 4 synovial joints (2 superior and 2 inferior)
Between which vertebrae do you find intervertebral discs?
C2-S1 There is no intervertebral disc between C1 and C2 (you instead get atlanto-axial joint capsules)
What are the two parts of the intervertebral disc?
Nucleus pulposus Annulus fibrosus
Describe how problems with the intervertebral disc can lead to potential clinical problems.
Degenerative changes in the annulus fibrosus can lead to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, which can then impinge on spinal nerves or thespinal cord
Name the two ligaments that rung along the length of the vertebral bodies from the skull to the sacrum.
Anterior and Posterior Longitudinal Ligaments
Which ligament is typically damaged in whiplash?
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
What is the name given to the upper art of the posterior longitudinal ligament going from C2 to the skull?
Tectorial Membrane
Which ligament is pierced in lumbar puncture and where is it positioned relative to the vertebral bodies?
Ligamentum flavum – found between the laminae of adjacent vertebrae
Name the triangular sheet-like structure found in the upper vertebral column. Where is it attached?
Ligamentum nuchae – attached from C7 to the occipital bone
What it continuous with the ligamentum nuchae and which part of the vertebrae is this attached to?
Supraspinous ligament It is connects to the spinous processes from C7 to the sacrum
Which ligament lies between adjacent spinous processes?
Interspinous ligament
What are the three categories of muscles in the back and which muscles fall into each of these categories?
Superficial: Trapezius Latissimus dorsi Levator scapulae Rhomboid minor Rhomboid major Intermediate: Serratus posterior superior Serratus posterior inferior Deep Spinotransversales Erector spinae Transversospinales Interspinales Intertransversarii
State the origin, insertion and function of: a. Trapezius b. Latissimus Dorsi c. Levator Scapulae d. Rhomboid Minor e. Rhomboid Major
a. Trapezius Origin – external occipital protuberance, cervical and thoracic spine Insertion – clavicle and scapula Function – elevate and rotate the scapula when the humerus is abducted b. Latissimus Dorsi Origin – T7 to sacrum + thoracolumbar fasica + posterior 1/3 of iliac crest Insertion – intertubercular sulcus of the humerus Function – extends, adducts and medially rotates the humerus c. Levator Scapulae Origin – transverse processes of C1-C4 Insertion – upper medial scapula Function – elevates the scapula d. Rhomboid Minor Origin – spinous processes of C7-T1 Insertion – medial border of scapula Function – adduct and elevate scapula e. Rhomboid Major Origin – spinous processes of T2-T5 Insertion – medial border of scapula Function – adduct and elevate scapula
State the origin, insertion and function of: a. Serratus Posterior Superior b. Serratus Posterior Inferior
a. Serratus Posterior Superior Origin –C7-T3 Insertion – upper border of ribs 2-5 Function – elevates ribs 2-5 b. Serratus Posterior Inferior Origin – T11-L3 Insertion – lateral inferior margins of ribs 9-12 Function – depresses ribs 9-12 and prevents lower limbs from elevating when the diaphragm contracts
State the location and function of: a. Spinotransversales b. Erector Spinae and Transversospinales c. Interspinales and Intertransversarii
a. Spinotransversales Extensors and rotators of the head and neck The two spinotransversales muscles run from the spinous processes up to T6 and ligamentum nuchae, running superiorly and laterally b. Erector Spinae and Transversospinales Extensors and rotators of the vertebral column Erector spinae lie posterolaterally to the vertebral column between the spinous processes medially and the angles of the ribs laterally Transversospinales run obliquely upward and medially from the transverse process to the spinous process c. Interspinales and Intertransversarii These are short segmental muscles that are the stabilisers of the vertebral column Interspinales – pass between adjacent spinous processes Intertransversarii – pass between adjacent transverse processes
Describe the flexibility of the cervical spine in terms of flexion/extension, lateral flexion and rotation.
Cervical spine can comfortably flex, extend, laterally flex and rotate. The articular surfaces between vertebrae are almost horizontal, so all these movement are possible. Also the neck has less surrounding tissue than other parts of the spine
Describe the flexibility of the upper thoracic spine (T1-T6).
NO flexion/extension Some lateral flexion Some rotation The articular surfaces are almost vertical, which doesn’t allow for flexion/extension.
Describe the flexibility of the lower thoracic spine (T7-T12).
Some flexion/extension Good lateral flexion Good rotation
Describe the flexibility of the lumbar spine (L1-sacrum).
NO rotation Good flexion/extension Good lateral flexion Their articular surfaces are curled around the articular surfaces of the adjacent superior vertebrae, ensuring no rotation.
Describe the shape of the atlas (C1).
It has NO vertebral body It consists of two lateral masses with an anterior and posterior arch