Skeletal and vertebral column

Question 1

Describe the primary curvature

Answer 1

• Curvature produced in utero
• Concave anteriorly
• Thoracic and sacral curves
• Kyphosis = excess primary curvature

Question 2

Describe the secondary curvature

Answer 2

• Curvature produced after birth
• Convex anteriorly
• Puts head over trunk and legs under trunk
• Cervical and lumbar curves
• Lordosis = excess secondary curvature

Question 3

Define ‘scoliosis’

Answer 3

Abnormal lateral curvature of spine

Question 4

Describe ‘ligamentum flavum’

Answer 4

Between lamina, behind vertebral canal

Question 5

Describe ‘interspinous ligament’

Answer 5

Between spinous processes

Question 6

Describe ‘supraspinous ligament’

Answer 6

Between tips of spinous processes

Question 7

Describe ‘posterior longitudinal ligament’

Answer 7

Run along posterior sides of vertebral bodies and discs

Question 8

Describe ‘anterior longitudinal ligament’

Answer 8

Runs along anterior sides of vertebral bodies and discs

Question 9

Name muscles associated with vertebral column

Answer 9

• Extrinsic back muscles
• Intrinsic back muscles - located posterior to vertebral column:
  1. Splenius group (superficial)
  2. Erector spinae group (middle)
  3. Transversospinalis group (deepest)

Question 10

List spinal nerves associated with vertebral column

Answer 10

Spinal column is divided into segments:

• 7 Cervical
• 12 thoracic
• 5 lumbar
• 5 pelvic sacral (fused)
• <5 coccygeal (fused)

spinal cord has same number of spinal nerves except 8 cervical nerves.
Formation of spinal nerve:
- Dorsal (sensory) and ventral (motor) roots leave spinal cord
- Dorsal root has sensory ganglion (dorsal root ganglion)
- Root join to form spinal nerve
- Spinal nerve splits to Dorsal ramus (small) and ventral ramus (large)

Spine nerves exit from intervertebral foramen.

Question 11

Define dermatome

Answer 11

Area of skin innervated by sensory fibres from a single spinal nerve

Question 12

Define myotome

Answer 12

Area of muscle innervated by motor fibres from a single spinal nerve

Question 13

List the spinal plexuses

Answer 13

• C1-C5 = Cervical plexus
• C5-T1 = Brachial plexus
• L1-L4 = Lumbar plexus
• L4-S4 = Sacral plexus

Question 14

Unique features of C1-Atlas

Answer 14

• Ring of bone
• No vertebral body
• No spinous process
• Large lateral masses

Question 15

Unique features of C2-Axis

Answer 15

• Dens

- Large superior articular facets

Question 16

Unique features of C7-Vertebra prominens

Answer 16

• Long spinous process - not bifid like C2-C6

Question 17

Unique features of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 17

• Demifacets on lateral sides of body for rib attachments

- Long downward projecting spinous process

Question 18

Unique features of lumbar vertebrae:

Answer 18

• Large body

Question 19

Describe the structure and function of intervebral discs

Answer 19

Parts of intervertebral discs:

• Annulus fibrosus -> fibrous outer ring; comprised of collagen
• Vertebral endplate -> cartilage plates adjacent to vertebral bodies
• Nucleus pulposus -> semifluid shock absorber in centre

Function:

• Tie vertebral bodies together
• Transfer weight
• Allow movement
• Shock absorber

Question 20

Describe typical cervical (C3-6) parts and properties

Answer 20

• Small, wide and uncinate processes in cervical bodies
• Largest vertebral foramen is triangular
• Forward and down, short, gutter for nerve, transverse foramen in transverse process
• Spinous process is short and bifid
• superior facets are approximately 45 degrees back and up. Allows: F, E, LF, rotation (rotation is coupled with LF)

Question 21

Describe typical thoracic (T2-9) parts and properties

Answer 21

• intermediate, heart-shaped body, demifacets for ribs
• Smallest, round vertebral foramen
• Posterior, stout, facet for rib (transverse process)
• Spinous process is long and downward projecting
• Vertical, face back and lateral facets. Allows for: F, E, LF, favours rotation

Question 22

Describe lumbar parts and properties

Answer 22

• Largest, kidney-shaped
• Medium, triangular vertebral foramen
• Lateral and slender transverse process
• thick, oblong, horizontal spinous process
• Vertical, face back and medial superior facets. Allow: F, E, LF and limits rotation.