spinal anatomy Flashcards
4 major funtions of bony vertebral column?
- support weight of body above pevlic girdle
- protection for the spinal cord and individual spinal nerves
- providing a partly rigid yet flexible axis for the body and an extended base on which the head is placed and rotates
- vital role player in posture and locomotion
what function do the zygapophyseal joints provide?
-add to vertebral columns flexibility
what is the purpose of the gradual increases in vertebral size as spinal column descends?
increased weight bearing needs
what is a typical vertebrae comprised of?
- vertebral body
- vertebral arch
- seven processes
function of vertebral body?
give the strength of vertebral column and support body weight
what is the inner most part of vertebral body known as?
centrum
where is vertebral arch located and what does to consist of?
- posterior to vertebral body
- two Rt and Lt pedicles and laminae
what are vertebral notches?
indentations seen on lateral view of vertebrae superior and inferior to each pedicle
what are intervertebral foramina?
Foramen/holes where the spinal nerves emerge from vertebral column
how many processes typically make up the vertebral arch on a typical spinal vertebrae?
7
- 1 spinous process
- 2 transverse processes
- 4 articular processs
which processes on a typical spinal vertebrae give connection for the deep back muscles as well as serve as controls for enabling the muscles that fix or change position of vertebrae?
- spinous process
- transverse process
what is the function of facet/zygapophyseal joints?
- determine types of movement permitted and restricted between adjacent vertebrae of each region
- maintaining alighnement of vertebral column
what is another name for C1?
atlas
what is another name for C2?
axis
what unique feature is a part of C2?
dens or odontoid process
what unique feature of the cervical vertebrae allows for the vertebral arteries and their veins to pass through?
- transverse foramina
- or foramen transversarium
Which cervical segment only allows for the passage of small accessory veins?
C7
what does the transverse process of cervical vertebrae end with laterally?
anterior and posterior tubercle
what do the anterior and posterior tubercles provide attachments for?
lateral cervical muscles
what lateral muscles attach to the anterior and posterior tubercles of the cervical spine?
- levator scapulae
- scalenes muscles
what is the longer spinous process of C7 titled?
vertebra prominens
what is the most commonly fractured vertebra?
T12
what is the largest of all the movable verebrae?
L5
There is not an intervertebral disc located between C1 and C2.
T or F
True
which aspect of the inter-vertebral disc’s anulus fibrosis is thinner and allows for the nucleus pulposes to slip into the spinal cord?
posterior
in the spine, which ligament is the only ligament that restricts extension?
anterior longitudinal ligament
what is the location and function of the interspinous ligament?
- more anteriorly situated
- connects the length of the spinous processes Superiorly and inferiorly to the ligament
What is the supraspinous ligament and where is it located?
-vertical band that connects the dorsal tips of teh spinous processes from C7 to Sacrum
what is the nuchal ligament?
a broad band of tissue extending posteriorly from the foramen magnum through the spinous processes of cervical vertebrae
where are the intertransverse ligaments located?
- in the cervical and thoracic region
- connect adjacent transverse processes
what are the major ligaments of the spine?
- ALL
- PLL
- ligamentum flavum
