SPINE Flashcards
how many total vertebrae?
26
how many true vertebrae?
24 (sacrum & coccyx)
-7 cervical
-12 thoracic
-5 lumbar
how many false vertebrae?
2
-1 sacrum (5 fused)
-1 coccyx (4 fused)
how many intervertebral discs?
23
start at C2 & C3
end at L5 & S1 on sacrum
how many pairs of spinal nerves?
31
name the spinal nerves
8 cervical
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
5 sacral
1 coccygeal
where do the spinal nerves start?
start: occiput & C1
end: Co1 which exits sacral hiatus with S5
where is nerve T1?
below T1
(T1 & T2)
where is nerve C1?
on top of C1
where is nerve C8?
on top of T1
functions of the spine
protection
stabilization
support & weight bearing
motion
resiliency - shock absorption
3 curves of the spine
lordosis (cervical & lumbar)
kyphosis (thoracic & sacral)
scoliosis (lateral curvature / deviation)
kyphosis
OUTWARD curvature
lordosis
INWARD curvature
vertebral bodies (height)
cervical: equal height anterior to posterior
thoracic: thicker posteriorly than anteriorly
lumbar: heights vary
-L1 - higher posteriorly
-L2 - height equal
-L3-L5 - higher anteriorly
intervertebral discs (thickness)
cervical: thicker anteriorly
thoracic: equal thickness
lumbar: thicker anteriorly
what is the intervertebral disc made of?
annulus fibrosus
nucleus pulposes
ANNULUS FIBROSIS
(outside)
layers of fibrocartilage made of collagen that strengthen & redistribute forces along disc
NUCLEUS PULPOSES
(inside)
contains loose fibres in a mucoprotein gel & acts as shock absorber for entire body
change in load / force at L3 (highest & lowest)
highest: lifting wrong
lowest: lying
2 types of joints throughout spine
facet
intervertebral
last intervertebral column
end of vertebral column at L5 = last IVD & facet articulation with sacrum
interspinalis action
extension
intertransversarii
lateral flexion
