Skeleton of the Vertebral Column Flashcards
What is the vertebral column composed of?
vertebrae
What are the functions of the VC
- 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
What does a typical vertebra consist of?
body, vertebral arch, pedicle, laminae, transverse processes, spinous processes, superior articular processes, inferior articular processes
What is the vertebral arch
attaches to the body and extends to the posterior forming a bony loop
How is the vertebral column formed and what is it for?
surrounds and protects the spinal cord, formed by union of the pedicles and laminae on both sides of the midline
What do vertebral foramina form?
vertebral canal
Where are the intervertebral foramina and what are they for?
in between vertebrae, creates spaces allowing the passage of spinal nerves
What purpose do the transverse and spinous processes serve?
as attachment points for muscles
what type of joints do the superior and inferior articular processes form?
facets joints (plannar synovial)
What are the regions of the VC?
cervical thoracic lumbar sacral coccygeal
In early development how many vertebrae is the VC composed of? How many in each region
33 C:7 T:12 L:5 S:5 C:3-5
In adults how many vertebrae is the VC composed of? How many in each region?
C:7 T:12 L:5 S:1 C:1
In the fetus and in a newborn how many curves are in the VC? What are they called?
only one curve called the primary curve
How many curves are there in an adult VC? When do they appear fully?
4 curves, complete after the age of 10
A concave curve is called what? what regions have this curve?
lordosis
cervical lordosis
lumbar lordosis
What is a convex curve called? What regions have this curve?
kyphosis
thoracic kyphosis a
sacro-coccygeal kyphosis
What curves are present in the primary curve?
thoracic kyphosis, sacro-coccygeal kyphosis
What curves are formed after birth?
cervical lordosis (lifting head) lumbar lordosis (standing/walking)
What is scoliosis
abnormal lateral curvature of spine
Where are intervertebral discs found
between adjacent vertebrae from C2-sacru
Structurally intervertebral discs are formed by:
an outer fibrous ring called annulus fibrosis
inner soft elastic substance called nucleus pulposus
What type of joints do intervertebral discs form? What do they do?
form cartilaginous joints, absorb vertebral shock
What happens to intervertebral discs in the day time vs the night time (sleeping)
lose water due to compression during the day
rehydrates while sleeping
What is a herniated (slipped) disc? What is it caused by?
excessive pressure on nucleus pulposus may rupture the annulus fibrosus
nucleus pulposus protrudes out through ruptured area and may compress adjacent structures in VC
Where do herniated discs most commonly occur? What other regions may they occur?
most common in lumbar
can happen in cervical
What are the special features of a typical cervical vertebrae?
transverse foramina
bifid spinous process
Which cervical vertebrae are atypical?
C1, C2, C7
What special features does C1 have? What is its name?
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
What are the special features of C2? What is its name?
Axis
odontoid process
What is the purpose of the odontoid process of the axis?
attached to superior surface of body of C2, acts as a pivot and permits rotation of the atlas on the axis bone
What are the movements of the atlantoaxial joint?
rotation of the head
What is the vertebral prominence?
C7, has a longer spinous process
What is the ligamentum nuchae?
strong ligament in the neck that attaches to the spinous processes of cervical vertebrae for muscle attachment
What regions of vertebrae articulate with the ribs?
only thoracic
What are the special features of a typical thoracic vertebra?
spinous processes directed inferiorly
costal facts for ribs
bodies contain two demifacets for head of rib
What are the joints of the thoracic region
costovertebral (ribs and T vert)
costotransverse (ribs and T vert trans proc)
Do all transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae contain costal facets for the tubercle of the ribs?
no, T11 and T12 do not
Do all bodies of thoracic vertebrae have two demifacets?
no T10, T11, and T12 have one facet for their corresponding ribs
Functionally the movements of the thoracic spine are limited due to what?
- attachment of semi,-rigid rib case
2. shingle like position of spinous processes
What region contains the largest and strongest vertebrae?
lumbar
What is the most moveable region of the spine
lumbar
Why do vertebrae get larger as you go down the VC (cervical to lumbar)?
bear more weight
Describe the structure of the sacrum (what it looks like)`
5 fused sacral vertebrae
triangular in shape
anterior concave
posterior convex
When does the fusion of the sacral vertebrae occur?
starts at 16-18 and finalizes around 30
What is the difference between the female and male sacrum?
in females is shorter, wider, and more curved
What are the special features of the sacrum
4 pairs of sacral foramina (anterior and posterior) sacral promontory sacral hiatus medial/lateral sacral crests sacral tuberosity
The broad superior portion of the sacrum is called what
base
What is the sacral promontory
anteriorly projecting border called sacral promontory
What is the narrow inferior portion of the sacrum called
apex
The posterior aspect of the sacrum contains:
posterior sacral foramina
medial sacral crest
lateral sacral crests
The lateral surfaces of the sacrum contain:
auricular surfaces that form the sacroilliac joint with hip bones
posterior to the auricular surfaces of the sacrum is what?
sacral tuberosity for attachment of ligaments
Where is the sacral hiatus located
inferior to the entrance of the sacral canal
What shape is the coccyx?
triangular
When do the coccxygeal vertebrae fuse?
age 20-30
What does the coccyx articulate with
apex of sacrum
What structural differences are in the coccyx between males and females
f points inferiorly
m points anteriorly
