spine Flashcards
spinal levels
- cervical - 7
- thoracic - 12
- lumbar - 5
- sacrum- 5 fused
- coccyx - 3-4 fused
features of the vertebrae
- vertebrae body
- transverse process
- neural arch
- spinous process
- lamina
- pedicle
- vertebral foramen
- articular process
types of joints between vertebrae
- zygapophysial
- intervertebral - synovial joint
what are the two parts of the intervertebral discs
- anulus fibrosus - the outer ring of tough cartilage
- nucleus pulposus - the soft centre
where do the spinal nerves emerge from the vertebral canal
intervertebral foramen
what are the core ligaments of the vertebral column
- posterior longitudinal ligament
- supraspinous ligament
- interspinous ligament
- anterior longitudinal ligament
what matter surrounds the spinal cord
- pia mater
- subarachnoid space
- arachnoid mater
- dura mater
what is the function of the vertebral column
- protection
- support
- axis
- movement
what cartilage is found in the vertebral body
hyaline cartilage
what position is the vertebral arch in relation to the vertebral body
lateral and posterior
what do the pedicles do
connect the vertebral body to the transverse process
what does the lamina do
connect the transverse and spinous processes
what are the distinguishing features of cervical vertebrae
- bifid spinous process
- transverse foramina
- triangular vertebral foramen
what is the function of the transverse foramina
where the vertebral arteries travel through to the brain
what is the orientation of the spinous process of thoracic vertebrae
obliquely, inferiorly and posteriorly
what does the lumbar vertebrae look like
- large vertebral bodies
- no transverse foramina, costal facets or bifid spinous processes
- they have triangular shaped vertebral foramen
sacrum
- 5 fused vertebrae
- the lateral wall of the sacrum has faucets for articulation with the pelvis at the sacroiliac joints
coccyx
- small bone that articulates with the apex of the sacrum
- lack of vertebral arches
articulation between the vertebral bodies
- left and right superior articular facets articulate with the vertebra above
- left and right inferior articular facets articulate with the vertebra below
- vertebral bodies have indirect articulation with each other via intervertebral discs
what are the ligaments that strengthen the vertebral bodies
anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
- anterior = prevents hyperextension
- posterior = prevents hyperflexion
what ligaments strengthen the articular facets
- ligamentum flavum
- interspinous and supraspinous
- intertransverse ligaments
where does the spinal cord end
- at L2 vertebral level- forming the conus medullaris
- spinal cord bundles together forming the cauda equina
main areas of the spinal cord
- medulla oblongata
- cervical enlargement
- lumbar enlargement
- conus medullaris
- filum terminale
what are the spinal meninges
- three membranes that surround the spinal cord
- the dura matter, arachnoid mater, pia mater
