The Joints of The Vertebral Column and Thoracic Cage Flashcards
is a broad and strong band of fibers, which extends along the anterior surfaces of the bodies of the vertebrae, from the occipital bone to the sacrum.
The Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL)
The ALL limits ____________ and supports the anterior convexity in the lumbosacral area.
backward bending
is situated within the vertebral canal, and extends along the posterior surfaces of the bodies of the vertebrae, from the body of the axis to the sacrum.
The Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL)
Function of the PLL
The PLL has a relatively low tensile strength and does not significantly restrict forward bending.
The PLL does not attach to the body but covers a plexus of arteries, veins, and lymphatics and the nutrient foramina through which these vessels pass to the cancellous bone of the body.
Degenerative changes in ________ can lead to herniation of the _______.
annulus, nucleus pulposus
________ herniation can impinge on the roots of a spinal nerve in the intervertebral foramen.
Postero-lateral
The articular processes of each vertebra articulate with the upper and lower vertebrae articular processes. This is joint is called
zygapophysial facet joint
what type of joint is the zygapophysial
Synovial Planar joints allow slide and glide motion
They are enveloped by capsules lined by synovial membranes of the zygapophysial. The articular capsules are more extended and looser in the _____ than in the ________ regions.
cervical than in the thoracic and lumbar regions
The laminae, spinous and transverse processes are connected by the following ligaments:
- the ligamenta flava
- the supraspinous ligament
- the interspinous ligaments
- the intertransverse ligaments
connect the laminae of adjacent vertebrae, from the axis to the first segment (vertebra) of the sacrum. Their marked elasticity serves to preserve the upright posture, and to assist the vertebral column in resuming it after flexion.
ligamenta flava
A strong fibrous cord, which connects together the apices of the spinous processes from the seventh cervical vertebra to the sacrum. It is continued upward to the external occipital protuberance as the ligamentum nucha
supraspinous ligament
thin and membranous, connect adjoining spinous processes and extend from the root to the apex of each process.
interspinous ligaments
are interposed between the transverse processes.
intertransverse ligaments
is a fibrous membrane, which, in the neck, represents the supraspinous ligaments of the lower vertebrae. It extends from the external occipital protuberance to the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.
the ligamentum nucha
There are two sets of craniovertebral joints, the ___________ and the ___________ joints.
atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial
There are three atlantoaxial joints:
two lateral and one median atlantoaxial joints.
the two lateral joints are which type of joint and found where?
synovial gliding
between the lateral masses of the atlas and the superior articular processes of the axis
where is the medial atlantoaxial joint found and what type is it?
synovial pivot joint between the odontoid process of the axis and the ring formed by the anterior arch and the transverse ligament of the atlas
What does the medial atlantoaxial joint allow for?
rotation of the atlas (and, with it, the skull) upon the axis
- The axis of motion is vertical through the dens, and approximately 50% of rotation in the cervical spine occurs at the atlanto-axial joint.
what are the supportive elements of the atlantoaxial joints
- anterior atlantoaxial ligament
- posterior atlantoaxial ligament
where does the Anterior Atlantoaxial Ligament attach
This ligament is a strong membrane, fixed, above, to the lower border of the anterior arch of the atlas; below, to the front of the body of the axis.
where does the Posterior Atlantoaxial Ligament attach
This ligament is a broad, thin membrane attached, above, to the lower border of the posterior arch of the atlas; below, to the upper edges of the laminae of the axis. It supplies the place of the ligamentum flavum.
