Skeleton of the Vertebral Column

Question 1

What is the vertebral column composed of?

Answer 1

vertebrae

Question 2

What are the functions of the VC

Answer 2

• supports the head, allows for movements and attachment of muscles of the trunk
• point of attachment for the ribs, pelvic girdle and upper extremities
• partially supports the trunk and surrounds and protects the spinal cord

Question 3

What does a typical vertebra consist of?

Answer 3

body, vertebral arch, pedicle, laminae, transverse processes, spinous processes, superior articular processes, inferior articular processes

Question 4

What is the vertebral arch

Answer 4

attaches to the body and extends to the posterior forming a bony loop

Question 5

How is the vertebral column formed and what is it for?

Answer 5

surrounds and protects the spinal cord, formed by union of the pedicles and laminae on both sides of the midline

Question 6

What do vertebral foramina form?

Answer 6

vertebral canal

Question 7

Where are the intervertebral foramina and what are they for?

Answer 7

in between vertebrae, creates spaces allowing the passage of spinal nerves

Question 8

What purpose do the transverse and spinous processes serve?

Answer 8

as attachment points for muscles

Question 9

what type of joints do the superior and inferior articular processes form?

Answer 9

facets joints (plannar synovial)

Question 10

What are the regions of the VC?

Answer 10

cervical 
thoracic
lumbar
sacral
coccygeal

Question 11

In early development how many vertebrae is the VC composed of? How many in each region

Answer 11

33
C:7
T:12
L:5
S:5
C:3-5

Question 12

In adults how many vertebrae is the VC composed of? How many in each region?

Answer 12

C:7
T:12
L:5
S:1
C:1

Question 13

In the fetus and in a newborn how many curves are in the VC? What are they called?

Answer 13

only one curve called the primary curve

Question 14

How many curves are there in an adult VC? When do they appear fully?

Answer 14

4 curves, complete after the age of 10

Question 15

A concave curve is called what? what regions have this curve?

Answer 15

lordosis
cervical lordosis
lumbar lordosis

Question 16

What is a convex curve called? What regions have this curve?

Answer 16

kyphosis
thoracic kyphosis a
sacro-coccygeal kyphosis

Question 17

What curves are present in the primary curve?

Answer 17

thoracic kyphosis, sacro-coccygeal kyphosis

Question 18

What curves are formed after birth?

Answer 18

cervical lordosis (lifting head)
lumbar lordosis (standing/walking)

Question 19

What is scoliosis

Answer 19

abnormal lateral curvature of spine

Question 20

Where are intervertebral discs found

Answer 20

between adjacent vertebrae from C2-sacru

Question 21

Structurally intervertebral discs are formed by:

Answer 21

an outer fibrous ring called annulus fibrosis

inner soft elastic substance called nucleus pulposus

Question 22

What type of joints do intervertebral discs form? What do they do?

Answer 22

form cartilaginous joints, absorb vertebral shock

Question 23

What happens to intervertebral discs in the day time vs the night time (sleeping)

Answer 23

lose water due to compression during the day

rehydrates while sleeping

Question 24

What is a herniated (slipped) disc? What is it caused by?

Answer 24

excessive pressure on nucleus pulposus may rupture the annulus fibrosus

nucleus pulposus protrudes out through ruptured area and may compress adjacent structures in VC

Question 25

Where do herniated discs most commonly occur? What other regions may they occur?

Answer 25

most common in lumbar can happen in cervical

Question 26

What are the special features of a typical cervical vertebrae?

Answer 26

transverse foramina | bifid spinous process

Question 27

Which cervical vertebrae are atypical?

Answer 27

C1, C2, C7

Question 28

What special features does C1 have? What is its name?

Answer 28

Atlas no body, laminae, pedicles, articular process, spinous process had lateral mass on either side superior articular surface for occipital condyles (AOJ) inferior articular surface for axis (AAJ) posterior surface of arch is articulating surface for odontoid process of axis

Question 29

What are the special features of C2? What is its name?

Answer 29

Axis odontoid process

Question 30

What is the purpose of the odontoid process of the axis?

Answer 30

attached to superior surface of body of C2, acts as a pivot and permits rotation of the atlas on the axis bone

Question 31

What are the movements of the atlantoaxial joint?

Answer 31

rotation of the head

Question 32

What is the vertebral prominence?

Answer 32

C7, has a longer spinous process

Question 33

What is the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 33

strong ligament in the neck that attaches to the spinous processes of cervical vertebrae for muscle attachment

Question 34

What regions of vertebrae articulate with the ribs?

Answer 34

only thoracic

Question 35

What are the special features of a typical thoracic vertebra?

Answer 35

spinous processes directed inferiorly costal facts for ribs bodies contain two demifacets for head of rib

Question 36

What are the joints of the thoracic region

Answer 36

costovertebral (ribs and T vert) | costotransverse (ribs and T vert trans proc)

Question 37

Do all transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae contain costal facets for the tubercle of the ribs?

Answer 37

no, T11 and T12 do not

Question 38

Do all bodies of thoracic vertebrae have two demifacets?

Answer 38

no T10, T11, and T12 have one facet for their corresponding ribs

Question 39

Functionally the movements of the thoracic spine are limited due to what?

Answer 39

1. attachment of semi,-rigid rib case | 2. shingle like position of spinous processes

Question 40

What region contains the largest and strongest vertebrae?

Answer 40

lumbar

Question 41

What is the most moveable region of the spine

Answer 41

lumbar

Question 42

Why do vertebrae get larger as you go down the VC (cervical to lumbar)?

Answer 42

bear more weight

Question 43

Describe the structure of the sacrum (what it looks like)`

Answer 43

5 fused sacral vertebrae triangular in shape anterior concave posterior convex

Question 44

When does the fusion of the sacral vertebrae occur?

Answer 44

starts at 16-18 and finalizes around 30

Question 45

What is the difference between the female and male sacrum?

Answer 45

in females is shorter, wider, and more curved

Question 46

What are the special features of the sacrum

Answer 46

``` 4 pairs of sacral foramina (anterior and posterior) sacral promontory sacral hiatus medial/lateral sacral crests sacral tuberosity ```

Question 47

The broad superior portion of the sacrum is called what

Answer 47

base

Question 48

What is the sacral promontory

Answer 48

anteriorly projecting border called sacral promontory

Question 49

What is the narrow inferior portion of the sacrum called

Answer 49

apex

Question 50

The posterior aspect of the sacrum contains:

Answer 50

posterior sacral foramina medial sacral crest lateral sacral crests

Question 51

The lateral surfaces of the sacrum contain:

Answer 51

auricular surfaces that form the sacroilliac joint with hip bones

Question 52

posterior to the auricular surfaces of the sacrum is what?

Answer 52

sacral tuberosity for attachment of ligaments

Question 53

Where is the sacral hiatus located

Answer 53

inferior to the entrance of the sacral canal

Question 54

What shape is the coccyx?

Answer 54

triangular

Question 55

When do the coccxygeal vertebrae fuse?

Answer 55

age 20-30

Question 56

What does the coccyx articulate with

Answer 56

apex of sacrum

Question 57

What structural differences are in the coccyx between males and females

Answer 57

f points inferiorly | m points anteriorly