The Joints of The Vertebral Column and Thoracic Cage

Question 1

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.

Answer 1

The Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL)

Question 2

The ALL limits ____________ and supports the anterior convexity in the lumbosacral area.

Answer 2

backward bending

Question 3

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.

Answer 3

The Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL)

Question 4

Function of the PLL

Answer 4

The PLL has a relatively low tensile strength and does not significantly restrict forward bending.

Question 5

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.

Question 6

Degenerative changes in ________ can lead to herniation of the _______.

Answer 6

annulus, nucleus pulposus

Question 7

________ herniation can impinge on the roots of a spinal nerve in the intervertebral foramen.

Answer 7

Postero-lateral

Question 8

The articular processes of each vertebra articulate with the upper and lower vertebrae articular processes. This is joint is called

Answer 8

zygapophysial facet joint

Question 9

what type of joint is the zygapophysial

Answer 9

Synovial Planar joints allow slide and glide motion

Question 10

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.

Answer 10

cervical than in the thoracic and lumbar regions

Question 11

The laminae, spinous and transverse processes are connected by the following ligaments:

Answer 11

1. the ligamenta flava
2. the supraspinous ligament
3. the interspinous ligaments
4. the intertransverse ligaments

Question 12

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.

Answer 12

ligamenta flava

Question 13

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

Answer 13

supraspinous ligament

Question 14

thin and membranous, connect adjoining spinous processes and extend from the root to the apex of each process.

Answer 14

interspinous ligaments

Question 15

are interposed between the transverse processes.

Answer 15

intertransverse ligaments

Question 16

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.

Answer 16

the ligamentum nucha

Question 17

There are two sets of craniovertebral joints, the ___________ and the ___________ joints.

Answer 17

atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial

Question 18

There are three atlantoaxial joints:

Answer 18

two lateral and one median atlantoaxial joints.

Question 19

the two lateral joints are which type of joint and found where?

Answer 19

synovial gliding
between the lateral masses of the atlas and the superior articular processes of the axis

Question 20

where is the medial atlantoaxial joint found and what type is it?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What does the medial atlantoaxial joint allow for?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

what are the supportive elements of the atlantoaxial joints

Answer 22

1. anterior atlantoaxial ligament
2. posterior atlantoaxial ligament

Question 23

where does the Anterior Atlantoaxial Ligament attach

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

where does the Posterior Atlantoaxial Ligament attach

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

cruciate ligament of the atlas is made up of 3 anchors:

Answer 25

the superior longitudinal band
transverse ligament of the atlas
inferior longitudinal band

Question 26

Transverse foramina allow for the passage of:

Answer 26

vertebral arteries

Question 27

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.

Answer 27

The Transverse Ligament of the Atlas

Question 28

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.

Answer 28

alar ligaments

Question 29

what do the alar ligaments prevent

Answer 29

excessive rotation

Question 30

where are the Uncovertebral “ joints” located

Answer 30

between unicate processes or the cervical vertebrae. Located in the cervical vertebrae between C3 and C7.

Question 31

What do the Uncovertebral “ joints” allow for

Answer 31

flexion and extension and limit lateral flexion in the cervical spine

Question 32

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

Answer 32

synovial planar
- diarthrodial joint

Question 33

The _____ ribs each articulates with a single vertebra

Answer 33

1st , 10th, 11th, and 12th

Question 34

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.

Answer 34

radiate ligament of the head of the rib

Question 35

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.

Answer 35

intra-articular ligament of the head of rib

Question 36

are formed between the tubercle of the rib with the articular surface on the adjacent transverse process

Answer 36

Costotransverse joints

Question 37

is attached below to the upper border of the neck of the rib and to the transverse process immediately above.

Answer 37

superier costotransverse ligament

Question 38

connects the rough surface on the back of the neck of the rib with the anterior surface of the adjacent transverse process.

Answer 38

The costotransverse ligament

Question 39

passes obliquely from the tip of the transverse process to the rough non-articular tubercle of the rib.

Answer 39

The lateral costotransverse ligament

Question 40

Each rib touches

Answer 40

2 vertebral bodies and 1 transverse process

Example: 7th rib forms articulation with bodies of T7 and T6 and the TVP of T7

Question 41

The articulations of the cartilages of the true ribs with the sternum are ________, except for the first rib,

Answer 41

synovial joints

Question 42

The first rib is directly united with the sternum and is therefore a _______ articulation

Answer 42

synchondrosis
- (or primary cartilaginous joint) is a type of cartilaginous joint where hyaline cartilage completely joins together two bones.

Question 43

which joints work together to move the ribs in a superior and lateral direction

Answer 43

Sternocostal + Costotransverse and Costovertebral

Question 44

superior and lateral direction is also known as what movement

Answer 44

“bucket handle” motion

Question 45

what joint alone pulls the sternum in a superior direction. What is this motion known as

Answer 45

Sternocostal
- “pump handle” motion