Spine - Intro to spinal structure and function

Question 1

What are the 6 functions of the spine?

Answer 1

• Weight bear in upright posture
• Acts as a shock absorber through the curves and intervertebral discs
• Produce, accumulate and transmit forces through the body
• Be an attachment point for muscles of shoulder and pelvic girdle
• Carry and support thoracic cage
• Protect spinal cord

Question 2

How many vertebrae are there and how are they divided between each spinal region?

Answer 2

Overall there are 33 vertebrae. They are divided as follows:
* 7 cervical
* 12 thoracic
* 5 lumbar
* 5 sacral (fused)
* 4 coccygeal (fused)

Question 3

Thoracic and sacral curves are convex posteriorly. What is this called?

Answer 3

Kyphosis

Question 4

Cervical and lumbar curves are convex anteriorly. What is this called?

Answer 4

Lordosis

Question 5

What is it called when these curves are increased?

Answer 5

HYPERkyphosis and HYPERlordosis

Question 6

Vertebrae basics - where does the spinal cord run through on each vertebrae?

Answer 6

Neural canal

Question 7

Vertebrae basics - how are vertebral bodies separated (what by?)

Answer 7

Intervertebral discs

Question 8

Vertebrae basics - what do transverse and spinous processes do?

Answer 8

Provide attachments for muscles

Question 9

Cervical vertebrae - where do vertebral arteries pass through in order to get to the brain?

Answer 9

They pass through transverse foramen in transverse processes on either side of cervical spine

Question 10

What is the C1 vertebrae called, what does it articulate with and what is the joint called?

Answer 10

The Atlas - Articulates with the base of the skull at the Atlantooccipital joint

Question 11

What is the C2 vertebrae called, what does it articulate with and what is the joint called?

Answer 11

The Axis - Articulates with the atlas at the atlantoaxial joint

Question 12

C2 vertebrae - how is the odontoid process held in place?

Answer 12

Odontoid process is held in place by the transverse ligament

Question 13

What is the difference between the vertebral bodies of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 13

Cervical = small-oval
Thoracic = medium - heart-shaped
Lumbar = Large - kidney-shaped

Question 14

What is the difference between the vertebral foramen (neural canal) of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 14

Cervical = Large - triangular
Thoracic = Small - oval
Lumbar = Small - triangular

Question 15

What is the difference between the spinous process of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 15

Cervical = Short and bifid
Thoracic = Long and slanted down
Lumbar = Broader and flat

Question 16

What is the difference between the transverse process of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 16

Cervical = Shorter, more anterior and have transverse foramen
Thoracic = Longer, more posterior and have costal facets
Lumbar = Longer, more lateral