Skeletal System 3 - Vertebral Column & Homeostatic Imbalances Flashcards
The vertebral column makes up two-fifth of our height. True of False
True
What are the key functions of the vertebral column?
Surrounds & protects spinal cord
Movement – Forwards | Backwards | Sideways | Rotation
Supports head
Attachment point for ribs, pelvic girdle & muscles of back and
upper limbs
How many vertebrae are there in the cervical spine?
cervical vertebrae | C1-C7
How many vertebrae are there in the thoracic spine?
12 thoracic vertebrae | T1-T12
How many vertebrae are there in the lumbar spine?
5 lumbar vertebrae | L1-L5
Can vertebrae move?
Yes, but only in cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine
In the sacrum, how many sacral vertebrae are fused together?
5; S1-S5
In the coccyx, how many coccygeal vertebrae are fused?
4
What areas of the spine are convex (bulge outwards) ?
Cervical and lumbar spine
What areas of the spine are concave (cup inwards)?
Thoracic and sacral regions
Why do we have spinal curvature?
Increases strength of vertebral column
Helps us to maintain balance
Helps absorb shock
Protects vertebrae from fracture
What is Scoliosis?
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
What is Kyphosis?
Increased thoracic curve
Partial collapse of vertebral bodies
Other causes: Degeneration of intervertebral disks |
Rickets | Poor posture
Common in females with osteoporosis
What is Lordosis?
Increase in the lumbar curve of the spine
Causes: Increased weight of the abdomen (pregnancy or obesity)
Other causes: Poor posture | Rickets | Osteoporosis
Typical vertebrae are made up of?
body, a vertebral arch & several processes
Where are intervertebral disks found?
between bodies of adjacent vertebrae to the sacrum
What are intervertebral disks formed of?
Outer fibrous ring of fibrocartilage
(annulus fibrosus)
Inner pulposus ring
What do intervertebral disks do?
Form strong joints
Permit movement
Absorb vertical shock (compress and flatten)
Disks are compressed throughout the day
True or False? Disks are avascular
Disks rely on blood from the bodies of vertebrae
True
True or False? Vertebrae in different regions of the spinal column vary in size, shape & detail
True
What is the vertebral body?
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
What is the vertebral arch?
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
What is the vertebral processes?
Seven processes arise from the vertebral arch
Transverse processes & spinous process –
Muscle attachment points
Superior & inferior articular processes -
Form joints with other vertebrae
What is a herniated (slipped disk)?
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
Herniated discs are most common in the lumbar spine and may lead to sciatica. True or False?
True
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?
Sciatica
