Term 2 Exam: Chapter 7 Axial Vertebrae

Question 1

What is the vertebral column?

Answer 1

Spine (backbone) -Composed of a series of bones called Vertebrae

Question 2

What are six key functions of the Vertebral Column?

Answer 2

1. Provide vertical support for the body 2. Supports weight of the head 3. Works alongside muscles to maintain upright body position 4. Helps transfer axial skeletal weight to the appendicular skeleton of the lower limbs 5. Houses and protects the spinal cord 6. Provides passageway fro spinal nerves connecting to the spinal cord

Question 3

How many vertebrae does a typical adult have?

Answer 3

26

Question 4

How are the 26 vertebrae divided in the Vertebral Column/

Answer 4

7 cervical vertebrae in the neck region; 12 thoracic vertebrae in the chest region; 5 lumbar vertebrae in the lower back; 1 sacrum (from 5 fused sacral vertebrae); 1 coccyx (from 4 fused coccygeal vertebrae)

Question 5

What are normal curves?

Answer 5

When viewed from the side the vertebral column has four slight bends

Question 6

Relative to the front of the body which curves are convex )( and which are concave()?

Answer 6

Cervical and Lumbar curves are convex; Thoracic and Sacral curves are concave

Question 7

What are intervertebral discs?(3)

Answer 7

-Found between the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae -Form strong joints, permit various movements of the vertebral column; -Absorb vertical shock

Question 8

What is the anatomy of intervertebral discs?

Answer 8

Each disc has an outer fibrous ring consisting of fibrocartilage called the Annulus Fibrosus and an inner soft, pulpy mucoid substance called nucleus pulposa

• the superior and inferior surfaces of the disc consist of a thin plate of hyaline cartilage

Question 9

What are the three structures of a typical vertebrae?

Answer 9

1. Body
2. vertebral arch
3. 7 processes

Question 10

What is the Vertebral Body? (3)

Answer 10

1. Large, Block-Like
2. Separated by intervertebral discs
3. Weight-bearing structure.

Question 11

What is the Vertebral Arch? (3)

Answer 11

1. Together with the vertebral body it surrounds and protects the spinal cord
2. Has pedicles that form the Lateral walls
3. Has Laminae that form the Posterior Walls

Question 12

What are the seven processes of a typical Vertebrae

Answer 12

• 2x Transverse processes
• 1x Spinous process
• 2x superior articular processes
• 2x inferior articular processes

Question 13

Where are the two transverse processes anotomically?

Answer 13

Each transverse process extends laterally from where a lamina and pedicle join

Question 14

Where is the spinous process anatomically?

Answer 14

The spinous process projects posteriorly at the junction of the laminae

Question 15

What is anatomically significant of the two superior articular processes?

Answer 15

the two superior articular processes of a vertebrae articulate (form joints) with the two inferior articular processes of the vertebra immidiately superior to them

Question 16

What is anatomically significant about the two inferior articular processes?

Answer 16

The two inferior articular processes of the vertebra articulate with the two superior articular processes of the vertebra immediately inferior to them

Question 17

The articular processes typically arise near_______?

Answer 17

the junction of the pedicle and lamina

Question 18

Label the Diagram:

Explain how the vertebral column is formed.

Answer 18

the superior articular processes of a vertebra form a joint with the inferior articular processes of the vertebra immediately superior (above) and, in turn, the inferior articular processes of the same vertebra form a joint with the two superior articular processes of the vertebrae immediately inferior to them

Question 19

What is unique about the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 19

Cervical vertebrae are the only vertebrae to have a transverse foramen within the transverse process through which a vertebral artery and its accompanying vein and nerve fibers pass

Question 20

What are (2) surface features of Cervical Vertebrae?

Answer 20

1. All cervical vertebrae have three foramina
   
   1. One Vertebral Foramen - largest because it houses the the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord
   2. Two transverse foramina
2. Spinous processes of C2 and C6 are often bifid (their tips branch into two small projections)

Question 21

What is C1 called? How does it differ from other vertebra? (2)

Answer 21

Atlas

• Is a bony ring with no body
• articulates with the head to permit movement of the head-nod (yes)

Examine the image comparing Atlas to other cervical vertebrae:

Question 22

What is C2 called? How does it differ from typical vertebra?

Answer 22

The Axis

-Has a peg-like dens process that articulates with C1 to permit movement of a head-shake (No)

Question 23

C3 to C6 share common features of the cervical vertebrae, what are they? (4)

Answer 23

1. A spinous process
2. 2 Transverse processes
3. 2 superior articular processes
4. 2 inferior articular processes

Question 24

What is different about C7? What is the name of C7?

Answer 24

Vertebra Prominens

-has a non-bifid, large spinous process that can be seen and felt at the base of the neck

Question 25

How do thoracic vertebrae differ from cervical vertebrae?

Answer 25

Thoracic vertebrae are considerably larger and stronger than cervical vertebrae

Question 26

What are the costal facets of the thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 26

Costal facets articulate with the tubercles of ribs

Question 27

How do thoracic vertebrae form joints with ribs? Which vertebrae are excluded?

Answer 27

Bodies of thoracic vertebrae articulate with the heads of ribs

T11 and T12 are excluded

Question 28

What are four characteristics of the Lumbar Vertebrae?

Answer 28

1. Largest and strongest of the unfused vertebrae in the vertebral column
2. Readily identifiable by their large size - large block like body with kidney-shaped articular surfaces
3. Absence of costal articular facets
4. Lack of transverse foramen

Question 29

Complete the table

Answer 29

Question 30

What is the Sacrum?

Label the Image

Answer 30

Fusion of 5 sacral vertebrae to form one sacrum

• fusion can last from age 16 to 30 years
• Transverse lines mark the sites of fusion

Question 31

What is the Coccyx?

Answer 31

• Triangular Bone from the Fusion of 3-5 vertebral bones
• As with sacrum formation, coccygeal vertebral fusion lasts a few years, usually between ages 20-30 years