The Vertebral Column Flashcards
Five regions of the vertebral Column
- The cervical region consisting of 7 cervical vertebrae
- The thoracic region consisting of 12 thoracic vertebrae
- The lumbar region consisting of 5 lumbar vertebrae
- The sacral region consisting of 5 sacral vertebrae
- The coccygeal region consisting of 4 coccygeal vertebrae which in adult are fused to form 1 coccyx.
Normal Curves of the vertebral column
- Cervical curve
- Thoracic curve
- Lumbar curve
- Sacral curve
Abnormal curves of the vertebral column
- Scoliosis
- Kyphosis
- Lordosis
Scoliosis
Lateral bending of the vertebral column commonly in the thoracic region.
Can be caused by: congenital malformed vertebrae, chronic sciatica, paralysis of muscles on one side of the vertebral column.
Kyphosis
Increase in the thoracic curve of the vertebral column also known as hunch back
Causes of kyphosis
- crashed vertebral bodies due to TB
- Degeneration of intervertebral discs,
- rickets
- Poor posture
Lordosis
Increase in the lumbar curve of the vertebral column.
Can be caused by pregnancy, extreme obesity.poor posture. Rickets and osteoporosis
intervertebral discs
Discs present between the Bodies of adjacent vertebral starting from the c2 to sacrum
Contribute to 25% of the total height of the vertebral column
Anatomy of intervertebral disc
- comprised of an out ring of fibrocartilage called annulus fibrosus
- And inner soft, pulpy substance called nucleus pulposus.
- Inferior and superior surfaces of the disc have a thin plate of hyaline cartilage
Parts of a typical vertebrae
- Anterior part called the body
- Posterior part called neural arc
- The posterior surface of the body and the neural arc enclose a foremen called vertebral foramen through which spinal cord passes
The body of vertebra
- Anterior surface is convex from side to side.
- Posterior surface is concave and borders with vertebrae foramen
The neural arc is made up there;
- 2 pedicles
- 2 laminae
- 7 processes
The 7 processes are comprised of 2 transverse processes, 2 superior and 2 inferior articular process and 1 spinous process
Laminae
Fuse in the Midline and encloses the vertebral foramen
Transverse process
Project laterally one on either side from the site of fusion of pedicles.
The articular processes
Project upwards and downwards on each side from the junction of the pedicles and laminae.
How is the atlas different from all the cervical spines.
It has no body
Atlas
Composed of 2 lateral masses which are joined by
*a short anterior arc and longer posterior arc
How is the 7th cervical spine different from the rest of the cervical spine.
- the spinous process is longer and not bifid but ends in roughened tubercle.
- Transverse processes have large posterior root and have no anterior tubercle
- Small transverse foramen and vertebral artery does not run through itm
Functions of the vertebral column
- provide support to the weight of the head, upper limbs and trunk.
- To protect the spinal cord
Functions of the curves of the vertebral column
- Increase the strength of the vertebral column
- Help to maintain balance in the upright position
- Absorbs shock when walking thereby protecting the column from fracturing.
Functions of the intervertebral discs
- form strong joints which allow different movements of the vertebral column.
- Absorbs shock within the vertebral column
