The Vertebral Column

Question 1

What are the three functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

1. support the body’s weight/help maneuver limbs
2. movement: extrinsic muscles, intrinsic muscles for posture
3. protection of the CNS and PNS

Question 2

How many vertebrae make up the axial skeleton?

Answer 2

26; cervical: 7, thoracic: 12, lumbar: 5, sacrum: 1, coccyx: 1

Question 3

Describe the differences in the shape of the body of a cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae

Answer 3

circle, triangle, circle

Question 4

vertebrae are stacked with ____ ___ between the bodies

Answer 4

intervertebral discs

Question 5

The superior articular processes articulate with what?

Answer 5

the inferior articular process of the vertebrae above

Question 6

Characteristic projections of vertebrae serve as what 3 things?

Answer 6

1. muscle and ligament attachment
2. levers for muscles
3. sites of articulations with other vertebrae

Question 7

What plane do the facets of a typical cervical vertebra face?

Answer 7

facets face near coronal plane -> rotation and lateral flexion together

Question 8

Why is C1 special?

Answer 8

it holds the head (atlas), has no body or spinous process

Question 9

What does the posterior articular facet for transverse ligament of atlas allow?

Answer 9

allows rotation between atlas and axis

Question 10

What is the vertebral prominens on the 7th cervical vertebrae?

Answer 10

the inferior attachment of the ligament nuchae

Question 11

Which direction do the transverse processes project in thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 11

infero-posteriorly -> rib tubercle

Question 12

Which direction do the spinous processes project in thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 12

posteriorly

Question 13

How many tubercles are located on the transverse process of lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 13

3

Question 14

True or false?

gaps between the spinous processes and laminae become smaller in flexion

Answer 14

false; larger

Question 15

Which plane are the articular processes of lumbar vertebrae oriented?

Answer 15

sagittal plane

Question 16

The sacrum is a fusion of 5 vertebrae. When does this fusion occur?

Answer 16

ages 16-18, complete fusion by 26

Question 17

What attaches on the coccyx?

Answer 17

filum terminale

Question 18

Describe the primary and secondary curvatures.

Answer 18

primary: concave anterior
secondary: concave posterior

Question 19

The following description is of what type of clinical correlation?
abnormal curvature in the thoracic region (hunchback)

Answer 19

kyphosis

Question 20

The following description is of what type of clinical correlation?
abnormal curvature of the lumbar region (swayback)

Answer 20

lordosis

Question 21

The following description is of what type of clinical correlation?
abnormal lateral curvature

Answer 21

scoliosis

Question 22

What type of joints are found between vertebral bodies?

Answer 22

symphyses

note: starts with c2/c3

Question 23

What two things make up the symphyses joint between vertebra?

Answer 23

hyaline cartilage + intervertebral discs

Question 24

What type of joints are found between articular facets?

Answer 24

zygapophysial joint

Question 25

How many zygapophysial joints are found in each spinal motion segment?

Answer 25

2

Question 26

The following region of the vertebral column is responsible for what type of movement?
cervical

Answer 26

flexion/extension

Question 27

The following region of the vertebral column is responsible for what type of movement?
thoracic

Answer 27

rotation

Question 28

The following region of the vertebral column is responsible for what type of movement?
lumbar

Answer 28

flexion/extension (limits rotation)

Question 29

Uncovertebral joints are found between what vertebrae?

Answer 29

c3-c7

Question 30

Where is ligament flavum located?

Answer 30

posterior portion of the vertebral canal

Question 31

Describe the flow of venous drainage in the vertebral column

Answer 31

vertebral bodies -> basivertebral -> internal and external vertebral plexus of veins -> segmental veins

Question 32

dorsal rami of spinal nerves are found where?

Answer 32

the zygapophysial joints

Question 33

ventral roots = ____
dorsal roots = ____
ventral/dorsal rami = ____ & ____

Answer 33

motor; sensory; motor and sensory