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.
cruciate ligament of the atlas is made up of 3 anchors:
the superior longitudinal band
transverse ligament of the atlas
inferior longitudinal band
Transverse foramina allow for the passage of:
vertebral arteries
is a thick, strong band, that arches across the ring of the atlas, and retains the odontoid process in contact with the anterior arch. It is firmly attached on either side to a small tubercle on the medial surface of the lateral mass of the atlas.
The Transverse Ligament of the Atlas
arise one on either side of the upper part of the odontoid process and, passing obliquely upward and lateral ward. They are inserted into the medial sides of the condyles of the occipital bone.
alar ligaments
what do the alar ligaments prevent
excessive rotation
where are the Uncovertebral “ joints” located
between unicate processes or the cervical vertebrae. Located in the cervical vertebrae between C3 and C7.
What do the Uncovertebral “ joints” allow for
flexion and extension and limit lateral flexion in the cervical spine
what type of joint is the articulation between the head of the ribs and the facet on the sides of the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae
synovial planar
- diarthrodial joint
The _____ ribs each articulates with a single vertebra
1st , 10th, 11th, and 12th
connects the anterior part of the head of each rib with the side of the bodies of two vertebrae, and the intervertebral disc between them.
radiate ligament of the head of the rib
is situated in the joint’s interior. It attaches on one end to the crest separating the two articular facets on the head of the rib and on the other end to the intervertebral disc. It divides the joint into two cavities.
intra-articular ligament of the head of rib
are formed between the tubercle of the rib with the articular surface on the adjacent transverse process
Costotransverse joints
is attached below to the upper border of the neck of the rib and to the transverse process immediately above.
superier costotransverse ligament
connects the rough surface on the back of the neck of the rib with the anterior surface of the adjacent transverse process.
The costotransverse ligament
passes obliquely from the tip of the transverse process to the rough non-articular tubercle of the rib.
The lateral costotransverse ligament
Each rib touches
2 vertebral bodies and 1 transverse process
Example: 7th rib forms articulation with bodies of T7 and T6 and the TVP of T7
The articulations of the cartilages of the true ribs with the sternum are ________, except for the first rib,
synovial joints
The first rib is directly united with the sternum and is therefore a _______ articulation
synchondrosis
- (or primary cartilaginous joint) is a type of cartilaginous joint where hyaline cartilage completely joins together two bones.
which joints work together to move the ribs in a superior and lateral direction
Sternocostal + Costotransverse and Costovertebral
superior and lateral direction is also known as what movement
“bucket handle” motion
what joint alone pulls the sternum in a superior direction. What is this motion known as
Sternocostal
- “pump handle” motion
