The Vertebral Column

Question 1

What part of the vertebrae does the spinal cord travel through?

Answer 1

Vertebral foramen

Question 2

What is the large, anterior part of each vertebra called?

Answer 2

Vertebral body

Question 3

What is the posterior inferior projection of bone on the vertebrae called?

Answer 3

Spinous process

Question 4

What are the regions of the vertebral column and now many vertebrae make up each?

Answer 4

Cervical - 7
Thoracic - 12
Lumbar - 5
Sacral - 5 fused
Coccyx - 3-5 fused

Question 5

How do the vertebrae articulate?

Answer 5

Via superior and inferior articulating processes at zygopophyseal joints

Question 6

What are the posteriolateral projections of vertebrae called?

Answer 6

Transverse processes

Question 7

What do transverse processes do?

Answer 7

Articulate with ribs in thoracic vertebrae

Question 8

What are the 3 defining features of cervical vertebrae?

Answer 8

Spinous process bifurcates (apart from C7)
Transversarium foramen (vertebral arteries pass through to supply brain)
Vertebral foramen in triangular

Question 9

What are the main features of thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 9

Demi facets to articulate with respective rib + inferior rib
Costal facets of transverse processes to articulate with respective rib
Slanted spinal processes for protection
Vertebral foramen is circular

Question 10

What are the defining features of lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 10

Largest bodies (kidney shaped)
Triangular shaped vertebral foramen

Question 11

What are the defining features of the sacrum and coccyx?

Answer 11

All fused together in upside down triangle shape

Sacrum transmits spinal cord, coccyx doesn’t

Question 12

What is atlas and what is special about it?

Answer 12

C1

Lacks a body

Question 13

What is axis and what is special about it?

Answer 13

C2

Has an extended body - dens/odontoid process that articulates with the vertebral arch of the atlas

Question 14

What is the atlanto occipital joint?

Answer 14

C1 and the occipital bone of the skull articulate as a synovial joint
Permits extension and flexion of the head

Question 15

What is the atlanto axial joint?

Answer 15

C1 and C2 articulate to permit rotation of the head

Question 16

What do the intervertebral disks attach to?

Answer 16

Cartilaginous plates on the vertebral bodies

Question 17

What forms each intervertebral disc and what is their function?

Answer 17

Annulus fibrosus surrounding a nucleus pulposus

Shock absorbers

Question 18

What vertebral column ligaments prevent excessive extension?

Answer 18

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 19

What vertebral column ligaments prevent excessive flexion?

Answer 19

Posterior longitudinal ligament
Supraspinous ligament
Intertransverse ligaments
Ligamentum flavum

Question 20

Postnatally what spinal curvatures form?

Answer 20

Cervical - lifting head
Lumbar - walking
Secondary curvature

Question 21

What is a prolapsed vertebral disc?

Answer 21

Annulus fibrosus degenerates
Nucleus pulposus herniates posteriolaterally
Can apply pressure to associated spinal nerve

Question 22

What is kyphosis?

Answer 22

Exaggeration of primary curvature (thoracic curvature)

Occurs with age

Question 23

What is lordosis?

Answer 23

Exaggeration of secondary curvature

Often occurs with pregnancy

Question 24

What is scoliosis?

Answer 24

Lateral deviation of vertebral column