Skeletal System 3 - Vertebral Column & Homeostatic Imbalances

Question 1

The vertebral column makes up two-fifth of our height. True of False

Answer 1

True

Question 2

What are the key functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 2

Surrounds & protects spinal cord
Movement – Forwards | Backwards | Sideways | Rotation
Supports head
Attachment point for ribs, pelvic girdle & muscles of back and
upper limbs

Question 3

How many vertebrae are there in the cervical spine?

Answer 3

cervical vertebrae | C1-C7

Question 4

How many vertebrae are there in the thoracic spine?

Answer 4

12 thoracic vertebrae | T1-T12

Question 5

How many vertebrae are there in the lumbar spine?

Answer 5

5 lumbar vertebrae | L1-L5

Question 6

Can vertebrae move?

Answer 6

Yes, but only in cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine

Question 7

In the sacrum, how many sacral vertebrae are fused together?

Answer 7

5; S1-S5

Question 8

In the coccyx, how many coccygeal vertebrae are fused?

Answer 8

4

Question 9

What areas of the spine are convex (bulge outwards) ?

Answer 9

Cervical and lumbar spine

Question 10

What areas of the spine are concave (cup inwards)?

Answer 10

Thoracic and sacral regions

Question 11

Why do we have spinal curvature?

Answer 11

Increases strength of vertebral column
Helps us to maintain balance
Helps absorb shock
Protects vertebrae from fracture

Question 12

What is Scoliosis?

Answer 12

Lateral bending of vertebral column
Can be congenital (present at birth)
Other causes: Malformed vertebrae | Sciatica |
Paralysis of muscles on 1 side of vertebral column

Question 13

What is Kyphosis?

Answer 13

Increased thoracic curve
Partial collapse of vertebral bodies
Other causes: Degeneration of intervertebral disks |
Rickets | Poor posture
Common in females with osteoporosis

Question 14

What is Lordosis?

Answer 14

Increase in the lumbar curve of the spine
Causes: Increased weight of the abdomen (pregnancy or obesity)
Other causes: Poor posture | Rickets | Osteoporosis

Question 15

Typical vertebrae are made up of?

Answer 15

body, a vertebral arch & several processes

Question 16

Where are intervertebral disks found?

Answer 16

between bodies of adjacent vertebrae to the sacrum

Question 17

What are intervertebral disks formed of?

Answer 17

Outer fibrous ring of fibrocartilage
(annulus fibrosus)
Inner pulposus ring

Question 18

What do intervertebral disks do?

Answer 18

Form strong joints
Permit movement
Absorb vertical shock (compress and flatten)
Disks are compressed throughout the day

Question 19

True or False? Disks are avascular
Disks rely on blood from the bodies of vertebrae

Answer 19

True

Question 20

True or False? Vertebrae in different regions of the spinal column vary in size, shape & detail

Answer 20

True

Question 21

What is the vertebral body?

Answer 21

Thick, disk shaped anterior portion
Weight bearing portion
Attachments point for cartilaginous
intervertebral disks
Contain nutrient foramina – Openings for
blood vessels to deliver & extract nutrients &
waste

Question 22

What is the vertebral arch?

Answer 22

Two, short thick processes (pedicles) project posteriorly from vertebral body & unite with laminae
Vertebral body & arch surround spinal cord
to form vertebral foramen
Pedicles have superior & inferior
indentations – Vertebral notches
Notches form an opening between adjoining
vertebrae – Intervertebral foramen
Intervertebral foramen permit
the passage of a spinal nerve

Question 23

What is the vertebral processes?

Answer 23

Seven processes arise from the vertebral arch
Transverse processes & spinous process –
Muscle attachment points
Superior & inferior articular processes -
Form joints with other vertebrae

Question 24

What is a herniated (slipped disk)?

Answer 24

Pressure in nucleus pulpous ruptures annulus fibrosus & protrudes
into an adjacent vertebral body
Caused by injury/weakness of anterior & posterior ligaments
Nucleus pulpous exerts pressure on spinal nerves
Most common area – Lumbar spine (weight bearing)
Common symptoms – Local weakness & acute pain

Question 25

Herniated discs are most common in the lumbar spine and may lead to sciatica. True or False?

Answer 25

True

Question 26

Compression of sciatic nerve (exit from L4, L5, S1, S2 & S3)
causes pain to radiate through posterior thigh, calf & foot. Symptoms are unilateral. What is this condition called?

Answer 26

Sciatica