spinal column Flashcards

1
Q

describe the role and function of the spinal/vertebral column (

A
  • protects spinal cord and gives rise to spinal nerves
  • maintains balance
  • supports head trunk
  • absorbs mechanical shock from weight bearing exercise
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

describe the basic structure of the vertebral column

A
  • series of mobile, stacked bones (vertebrae)
  • held together by ligaments and muscles
  • separated from each other by intervertebral discs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what type of bones are the vertebrae?

A

irregular shape

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe the different types of movement enabled by the spinal column

A
  • (forward) flexion
  • (backward) extension
  • lateral flexion (side to side)
  • rotation (twisting side to side)
  • circumduction (circles with head)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe the difference in curvature of Adult vs Foetal vertebral column

A

Adult vertebral curves consist of 4 parts:
- cervical, lumbar (convex curves) & thoracic, sacral (concave)

Foetal vertebral column consists of just one curve in uterus
- secondary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

when does a baby develop a secondary cervical curvature?

A

when they can hold their head up (around three months)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

when does a child begin to develop adult-like vertebral curves?

A

as soon as they start weight bearing on legs do the curves start developing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Name the 4/5 regions of the spinal column (superior to inferior)

A

Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar
Sacrum
- Coccyx

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe the three main functions of intervertebral discs. Where are they found?

A

Found between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae

Function:
- strengthens joints
- permits movement
- absorbs vertical shock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

describe the structure of an intervertebral disc

A
  • outer rim of fibrocartilage
  • central core: nucleus palposus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what has happened in the intervertebral disk when we talk about a “slipped” or “perforated disc”?

A

the central core, the nucleus palposus has perforated through the band of fibrocartilage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

where is the spinal cord located within the vertebral bone?

A

the vertebral foramen (cavity within the bone)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

can spinal nerves come out from the dedicated foramina cavity?

A

yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe the components of a typical vertebra (5)

A
  • vertebral foramen (spinal cord’s cavity)
  • articular facets (bits where bones articulate)
  • vertebral body (bone structure, changes along the spinal column)
  • transverse process*
  • spinous process*

*Both sites for muscle attachment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How many vertebra make up the Cervical region of the spinal column?

A

7

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Name and describe C1-C2 of the cervical region - why are they different to the rest?

A

These vertebra are shaped differently than the rest of the cervical vertebra due to their position and role.

C1: Atlas, seats the occipital bone of the skull
- no spinous process

C2: Axis, seats C1 and allows rotation
- distinguished by the dens (onto process) that extends upwards from the vertebral body and joins with the inner atlas

16
Q

Describe the structural components of C3-C7 of the cervical region

A
  • Round Foramen (spinal cord cavity)
  • Articular facet: where bones articulate to
  • bifid (two pronged) spinous process
17
Q

How many vertebral bones make up the Thoracic region?

A

12

18
Q

Describe the unique aspects and role of the Thoracic region

A
  • mid thoracic vertebra: long, pronounced spinous process
  • supports and articulates the ribs
  • larger than cervical, supporting more weight
  • vertebral foramen are round
19
Q

What is the main unique feature of thoracic vertebrae?

A

Vertebral processes that articulate to the ribs and spine

20
Q

Describe the features and role of the Lumbar region

A
  • stronger than superior regions
  • largest vertebra as they support most weight
    big spinous process to attach muscles of the lower back
  • triangular vertebral foramen
21
Q

How many bones in the Lumbar region?

A

5

22
Q

Describe the structure of the Sacrum

A

5 vertebrae fused together to form a triangular shaped bone

23
Q

To what does the sacrum articulate to? (superiorly)

A

the 5th lumbar vertebra

24
Q

what does either side of the sacrum articulate to to form?

A

the ilium (pelvis), forming the sacro-iliac joint

25
Q

where does the coccyx articulate to?

A

the inferior tip of the sacrum

26
Q

what does the coccyx consist of?

A

4 vertebra fused together

27
Q

which way do the superior articular processes of thoracic vertebrae face?

A

anteriorly

28
Q

which way do the inferior processes of thoracic vertebrae face?

A

posteriorly

29
Q

what do all thoracic vertebrae have located on the lateral sides of the body?

A

costal facets (rib facets)

30
Q

where do the ribs attach?

A

to the superior and inferior costal facets on the lateral sides of thoracic vertebra

31
Q

what are lumbar vertebrae characterised by?

A
  • large thick body
  • short spinous process
  • posterior view of vertebrae looks like a moose
  • triangular foramen (spinal cavity)
32
Q

what is an intervertebral disc? describe its purpose

A
  • fibrocartilanginous pad that fills the gap between adjacent vertebral bodies
  • to provide padding between vertebrae during weight bearing
33
Q

where are intervertebral discs thickest, and thinnest?

A

thickest in the lumbar region
thinnest in the cervical region

*this is because the lumbar region bears the most weight

34
Q

describe the components of an intervertebral disc (outer layer and core)

A
  • anulus fibrous (tough fibrous layer)
    >forms a circle and is anchored to the adjacent vertebral bodies
  • nucleus pulposus
    >softer gel like material
    >water content that resists compression
    >important for weight bearing
35
Q

What changes within the Nucleus Pulposus as a person ages?

A
  • water content of the gel like disc decreases
  • thinning the disc and reducing flexibility and range of motion of the disc making bending more difficult
36
Q

which ligament is only found in the cervical region of the vertebral column?

A

nuchal ligament