Spine II

Question 1

Describe the general cervical vertebra - 4 points

Answer 1

C1-C7, bodies are smaller than all other vertebra other than those that make up the coccyx, vertebral arches are larger, C3-C6 follow the typical structural pattern of a cervical vertebra, all have 3 formina - 1 vertebral foramen (largest than in all vertebrae to house the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord) and 2 transverse foramina (within the transverse process containing vertebral artery, vein and nerve fibres)

Question 2

bifid

Answer 2

C2-C6 often have a bifid spinous process meaning its split into 2

Question 3

Describe C1 - the atlas - 4 points

Answer 3

1st cervical vertebrae and so is inferior to the skull, its a ring of bone with anterior and posterior arches and large lateral masses (lacks body and spinous process), the transverse processes/foramina of the atlas = quite large

Question 4

Describe the superior articular facets of C1

Answer 4

concave superior surfaces of the lateral masses - articulate with occipital condyles of occipital bone forming the atlanto-occipital joints allowing you to nod “yes”

Question 5

Describe the inferior articular facets of C1

Answer 5

lie on the inferior surface of C1 and articulate with C2

Question 6

Describe C2 - the axis -

Answer 6

does have a body, it also has a peg-like process called either dens/odontoid process which protects superiorly though the anterior portion of the vertebral foramen of the atlas, the peg is a pivot on which the atlas and the head rotate , allow you to shake head “no”

Question 7

Describe the articulations of C2 and the spinous process of C2

Answer 7

articulation formed between the anterior arch of the atlas and dens of the axis is and between their articular facets of is known as the atlanto-axial joint

Question 8

Describe the thoracic vertebrae - 4 points

Answer 8

larger/stronger/longer/larger transverse processes than cervical, unlike any other vertebrae it articulates with the ribs, all the transverse processes have for facets for articulating with the tubercles of the ribs (except for T11/T12) - known as the vertebrocostal joints - limits movements of thoracic region because the ribs are attached to the sternum

Question 9

Describe the difference in spinous processes from T1/T2 to T11/T12

Answer 9

Spinous process on T1/T2 = long, laterally flattened, directed inferiorly, spinous processes on T11/T12 = shorter, broader, directed more posteriorly

Question 10

Describe the lumbar vertebrae - 3 points

Answer 10

lumbar vertebrae L1-L5 are the largest & strongest of the unfused bones in the vertebrae column, the various projections are short and thick, amount of body weight supported by vertebrae increases towards inferior end hence these carry a lot of the bodys weight

Question 11

Describe the directions of the articular processes

Answer 11

superior articular process = directed medially

inferior articular process = directed laterally

Question 12

Describe the spinous processes and their function - 4 points

Answer 12

quadrilateral in shape, thick & broad, project nearly straight posteriorly, serve as attachment for large back muscles

Question 13

Describe the sacrum

Answer 13

triangular bone formed by union of 5 sacral vertebrae (S1-S5), lies at posterior aspect of pelvic cavity, medial to the 2 hip bones

Question 14

Describe the differences of a female sacrum to a male sacrum

Answer 14

female sacrum = shorter/wider/more curved

Question 15

Apex of the sacrum

Answer 15

narrow, inferior portion

Question 16

Base of the sacrum

Answer 16

broad, superior portion

Question 17

Describe the concave anterior side of the sacrum

Answer 17

faces pelvic cavity, smooth, contains 4 transverse lines (ridges) where the sacral vertebral bodies join

Question 18

Describe the sacral foramina and the sacral canal

Answer 18

has anterior and posterior sacral foramina allow the passage of nerves and blood vessels, sacral canal is a continuation of the vertebral cavity

Question 19

Sacaral Promontory

Answer 19

anteriorly projecting border of the base of the sacrum, 1 of the points used to measure the pelvis

Question 20

Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) - 2 points

Answer 20

on both lateral surfaces, sacrum has a large ear-shaped articular surface that articulates with the ilium of each hip bone

Question 21

Lumbosacral Joint - 2 points

Answer 21

the superior articular process of the sacrum articulates with the inferior articular process of the 5th lumbar vertebrae, and the base of the sacrum articulates with the body of the 5th lumbar vertebrae

Question 22

Describe the coccyx - description, articulations, differences between males/females - 4 points

Answer 22

triangular, formed by fusion of 4 coccygeal vertebrae, articulates superiorly with the apex of the sacrum, in females = points inferiorly to allow passage of baby during birth, in males = points anteriorly