Spine Anatomy Flashcards
Describe the anatomy of a cervical vertabrae
Triangular vertebral foramen.
Bifid spinous process
Transverse foramina – holes in the transverse processes. They give passage to the vertebral artery, vein and sympathetic nerves.
Describe the ligaments of the vertabrae
Anterior longitudinal ligament: runs on anterior surface of vertebral bodies
Posterior longitudinal ligament: runs on posterior aspect of vertebral bodies and prevents posterior disc herniation
Posterior Ligament Complex
Ligamentum flavum: Connects the lamina of adjacent vertebrae
Interspinous ligament: Connects the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae
Supraspinous ligament: longitudinal ligament connecting the tips of adjacent spinous processes
Describe the anatomy of a thoracic veertabrae?
There 12 thoracic vertebrae
They have heart shaped vertebral bodies
Two costal demi-facets for articulation with the head of the ribs
T1, T11, T12 only have one facet (whereas others have two)
Prominent transverse processes with costal facet for articulation with the tubercle of the rib
Large downward angulating spinous processes
Describe the anatomy of a lumbar vertabrae?
Kidney shaped vertebral body, largest of the vertabral bodies. Triangular vertabral foreman.
What are the tracts of the spinal tract
Spinothalmic - Pain and temperature
Dorsal Column - Proprioception
Spinocerebellar - Coordination
Corticospinal - Decending motor funtion
Describe the anatomy of intervertebral disc and function
They are considered as secondary cartilaginous joints and their unction is to act as axial shock absorbers and connect adjacent vertabral bodies.
Outer Annulus fibrosis - Fibrocartilaginous outlayer
Inner nucleus polposus - Inner jelly like material consisting mainly of water and collagen
Produces gelatinous matrix to act as shock absorber
