The Vertebral Column Flashcards
What are the components of the axial skeleton
Vertebral Column
Ribs
Sternum
Skull
What is the function of the vertebral Column
Posture, support body weight, locomotion and protection for the spinal cord and spinal roots
How many regions|What are they?
How many vertebrae| how many per region
5 Regions and 33 Vertebrae
Cervical - 7
Thoracic - 12
Lumbar - 5
Sacral - 5 They fuse together
Coccygeal - 2-4 fuse together
Primary Curves
Develop doing fetal life - Concave Anteriorly , Convex Posteriorly
secondary curves
develop in response to postural stresses - concave posteriorly , convex anteriorly. Lifting heads 3m, walking around 1y
Kyphosis
Shape of the thoracic and sacral regions - normal curve
Lordosis
Shape of the cervical and lumbar region, normal curve
Scoliosis
Abnormal curve in the coronal plane (laterally) often the vertebrae will rotate as well
What is located in between the vertebrae
Intervertebral disc - make up 1/4 of the length off our vertebrae column (3/4 length is formed by the vertebrae)
What are the bony features of the ‘Typical Vertebrae’
- Vertebral Body
- Pedicles - Superior & Inferior vertebral notches / Intervertebral formen
- Laminae
- Vertebral /neural arch (formed by 2+3)
- Vertebral foramen / spinal canal
- Spinous process
- Transverse Process
- Superior articular process
- Inferior articular process
Regional Characteristics: Cervical Spine
Body | TVP | SP
Body: Small & round
TVP: Short & bifid
SP: Short & Bifid (exception is C1 & C7
What articulates to make the uncovertebral joints of Lusaka
Uncinate process & Semilunar
What is the Uncinate process & Semilunar facet
Uncinate process: formed by the superior edge
Semilunar facet: formed by the inferior edge of the vertebral bodies
What is unique to the TVP
The transverse foramen - it houses the vertebral artery C1 - C6
Regional Characteristics: Vertebral Foramen| Articular Process
Vertebral Foramen: Large and triangular in shape
Articular Process: Superior and inferior
