Spinal Cord Flashcards
3 Functions of Vertebral Column
- Houses and protects the spinal cord
- Provides the body with some degree of axial support
- Provides some degree of movement of the neck, thoracic region, and lumbar region
Vertabrae
approximately 33 bones called this make up the vertebral column
Corpus
A mass of bone, function is supporting the powerful muscles used for lifting
Vertebral Foramen
The opening in the vertebrae. Directly where spinal cord passes through
Neural Arch
Surrounds the vertebral foramen
Anterior Neural Arch
Between the vertebral foramen and the corpus
Posterior Neural Arch
Below the vertebral foramen
Spinous Process
The projection extending posteriorly off the posterior arch. Serves as a point of muscle attachment
Transverse Process
Projection. Located laterally at each side of vertebrae. Serves as a point of muscular attachment and the point of attachment of the ribs.
Articular Facets
Each vertebrae above level of the sacrum contain two superior and 2 inferior. The superior join with the inferior of each vertabrae
Intervertebral Foramen
The opening between each vertabrae above the level of the sacrum. It’s how blood vessels pass to spinal cord and how spinal nerves enter and exit the spinal cord.
Intervertebral disc
Separates each vertabrae that’s above the level of the sacrum. Rings of cartilage that gives the vertebral column flexibility and resiliency. Acts like the body’s shock absorbers
Cervical Vertabrae
7 most superior vertabrae. Make up the neck.
Cervical Vertabrae Distinguishing factors
- Vertebral foramen are the widest.
- Each transverse process has an opening through it called the transverse foramen
Transverse Foramen
Allows for passage of blood vessels and nerves
C1 Name and Function
Called the Atlas. Where the skull fits into superior facets
C2 Name and Function
Called the Axis. It’s an anterior projection that projects superiorly through atlas. It’s a dens, so serves as a pivot point for your skull
Dens
Serves as a pivot point for your skull????
Thoracic Vertabrae
12 vertabrae inferior to the cervical vertabrae.
Thoracic Vertabrae Distinguishing Factors
Have costal facets, or called demifacets. 3 on each side and are where the ribs are located
Lumbar Vertabrae
5 vertabrae that are inferior to the thoracic vertabrae.
Lumber Vertabrae Distinguishing Factors
The largest vertabrae. Have a large spinous process. Where the muscles of the lower back attach
Sacral Vertabrae
5 vertabrae that are inferior to lumber vertabrae. They are separated when we’re born but as we age, they fuse to create the sacrum.
Coccygeal Vertabrae
About 3-5 vertabrae at birth and are located inferior to sacrum. In the first few years, they fuse to create the coccyx.
Coccyx Function
A vestigial structure (Has no function)
