The spinal column Flashcards
Review of features of the spinal joints and vertebrae
How many new traumatic spinal injuries occur globally?
180,000/year
How many people are newly injured in the UK?
1000 people
What are the functions of the spine?
Support, protection of spinal cord, movement of upper limbs and ribs, and postural control
Which sections of the spine have a curvature of in front of the line?
Cervical and lumbar
Which sections of the spine have a curvature of behind the line?
Thoracic and pelvic
What is it called when the spine curves medially-laterally?
Scoliosis
What is it called when the thoracic curve is exaggerated?
Kyphosis
What is it called when the lumbar curve is exaggerated?
Lordosis
What is the purpose of the vertebral body?
Weight bearing
What is the purpose of the vertebral arch?
Forms roof of vertebral canal; has projections for attachments; has sites of articulation for adjacent vertebrae
What do the pedicles do?
Anchor vertebral arch to body
What do the laminae do?
Connect transverse and spinous processes
What do the articular processes do?
Form joints between vertebrae; located at intersection of laminae and pedicles
Which type of vertebra have the largest body?
Lumbar
Which type of vertebra have the largest vertebral foramen?
Cervical
Which type of vertebra have transverse foramen, and why?
Cervical, for arteries
Which type of vertebra have the longest spinous process?
Thoracic
Which type of vertebra have the bluntest spinous process?
Lumbar
Which type of vertebra have bifid spinous process?
Cervical
Which bones are the atlas and axis?
Atlas is C1, axis is C2
What are distinguishing features of the atlas?
Large articular surface for occipital bone, no vertebral body, huge vertebral foramen
What joint does the atlas make with the occipital bone?
Atlanto-occipital joint aka “yes” joint; holds skull
What are distinguishing features of the axis?
Dens protruding upward which sits in centre of atlas, transverse ligament which stops 360 degrees rotation
What joint does the atlas make with the axis?
Atlantoaxial joint aka “no” joint
What are ligaments of the spine?
Posterior and anterior longitudinal, interspinous, supraspinous, ligament flavum
Which ligaments of the spine run the full length of it?
Posterior and anterior longitudinal
Which ligaments of the spine join the spinous process of adjacent vertebrae?
Interspinous and supraspinous
How do the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments differ?
Interspinous attach between processes, supraspinous attach at tips
What movement does the posterior longitudinal ligament prevent?
Hyperflexion
What movement does the anterior longitudinal ligament prevent?
Hyperextension
What does the ligament flavum do?
Extends between lamina of adjacent vertebrae and protects the spinal cord
What colour is the ligament flavum?
Yellow
What do the intervertebral discs do?
Absorb forces; aren’t solid, so can move with vertebral movement
Where does the spinal cord end and become nerve fibres?
L1/L2
Where do spinal nerves come out of?
Intervertebral foramen
How does the naming system of spinal nerves work?
C1-C7, use vertebra above nerve; C8-coccygeal, use vertebra below nerve
