Spinal Osteology

Question 1

How many vertebrae are there?

Answer 1

33 total

- 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused), 4 coccygeal (usually fused)

Question 2

sacralization

Answer 2

fusion of the 5th lumbar vertebra w/ the sacrum

Question 3

lumbarization

Answer 3

lack of fusion of the first sacral vertebra with the sacrum

Question 4

Describe the general characteristics of cervical vertebrae.

Answer 4

body - small

transverse processes - directed anterolaterally, formation of transverse cervical foramen

articulating process - facets are flat and oval shaped; oriented obliquely in the coronal plane

spinous process - short, bifid, downward projecting

vertebral arch - triangular shaped

Question 5

What resides in the transverse cervical foramen?

Answer 5

vertebral artery and sympathetic nervous complex (C1-C6)
vertebral vein (C1-C7)

Question 6

Where does the dens of CV2 reside w/n CV1?

Answer 6

resides against the anterior arch in contact the facet for dens (pivot joint)

Question 7

What the 3 atypical cervical vertebrae?

Answer 7

CV1 (atlas) - first cervical vertebra which does not have a body and whose anterior facets interact with the occipital condyles of the skull.

CV2 (axis) - has increased body mass (dens) which projects into CV1 providing pivot point for the skull

CV7 - vertebra prominence and represents the transition between cervical and thoracic vertebra, long nearly horizontal spinous process

Question 8

Describe the general characteristics of thoracic vertebrae.

Answer 8

body - heart shaped, possess costal facets per side for ribs

articulating processes - thin and flat, oriented vertically in coronal plane

spinous process - overlap, directed inferiorly

transverse process - thick and strong, directed posterolateral

vertebral foramen - circular (most narrow diameter)

Question 9

Describe the general characteristics of lumbar vertebrae.

Answer 9

body - increased in size

articulating processes are oriented vertically in the sagittal plane

laminae - short and non-overlaping

spinous processes - thick and strong, projected dorsal ward

vertebral foramen - triangular

Question 10

Where is a lumbar puncture done?

Answer 10

between L4-L5 as to no hit the spinal cord

Question 11

Where is an epidural administered?

Answer 11

through the sacral hiatus