The Vertebral Column Flashcards
Where do Spinal Nerves leave the spinal column?
Intervertebral Foramen (formed between Superior and Inferior Vertebral notches)
Features of a typical cervical vertebrae?
Small Body with elevated uncus
Transverse Process & pedicle with tubercles
Bifid Spinous Process
Which cervical vertebrae have Transverse Foramina (for Vertebral As)?
C1-C6
Atypical Cervical Vertebrae
C1 (Atlas)
C2(Axis)
Between which two vertebrae is there no Intervertebral Disc?
C1&C2
Which cervical vertebrae is the point of articulation of the head, and the strongest cervical vertebrae?
C2
Features of C1 (Axis)
No Body
No Spinous Process
Anterior/Posterior arches with tubercles and lateral mass
Tubercles for Transverse ligament
Features of C2 (Atlas)
Body with Dens (odointoid process)
Large superior articular facets
Dens held in place by transverse ligament
Why are Cervical Vertebrae more prone to dislocation than Thoracic/Lumbar?
Relatively flat articular facets
Doesn’t necessarily compress spinal cord (foramen wide)
Causes of Dens Fracture
Hyperextension/ Hyperflexion
As dens is less dense
Typical Thoracic Vertebrae:
Heart Shaped Body with Superior/Inferior costal-demi facets
Long Spinous Process
Transverse Process with facet for rib articulation
Superior articular facet faces posteriorly
Inferior articular facet faces anteriorly
Typical Lumbar Vertebrae
Large Body
Superior Articular Facet faces medially
Inferior Articular Facet faces laterally
Short, sturdy spinous process
Features of Sacrum/Coccyx
Anterior and Posterior Sacral Foramina
Median Crest
Apex
Sacral Hiatus and cornua
Name of Joint between Superior and Inferior Articular Facets?
Zygapophysial Joint
Outer Part of an Intervertebral Disc?
Annulus Fibrosis
Fibrocartilage Ring
Inner Part of a Intervertebral Disc?
Nucleus Pulposus
Gelatinous substance, acts as a shock absorber
Ligament binding lamina of adjacent vertebrae
Ligamentum Flavum
Ligament running on posterior vertebral bodies, C2-Sacrum
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Which ligament prevents posterior herniation of IV discs, and resists hyperflexion
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Ligament running from Occipital Bone/C1 to Sacrum
Anterior Longitudinal ligament
Which is the only ligament to resist Hyperextension
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
Ligament running between transverse processes
Intertransverse Ligament
Ligament running down ends of Spinous Processes
Supraspinous Ligament
Ligament running between spinous processes
Interspinous ligament
Common pathology in whiplash
Tearing of Anterior Longitudinal Ligament, avulsion of vertebral body, spinal cord compression
Movement of vertebral column
Flexion/Extension
Lateral Flexion
Rotation
Primary Curvatures of Spine
Thoracic Kyphosis
Sacral Kyphosis
Curve forwards
Secondary Curvatures of Spine
Cervical Lordosis
Lumbar Lordosis
Curve backwards
Other name for Herniation of Nucleus Pulposus
Slipped disc
Common vertebral level affected by slipped disc
L4/L5 or L5/S1
Severe side effects of nucleus pulposus herniation
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Sciatica
Ligament running from External Occipital Protuberance to C7 Spinous Process
Ligamentum Nuchae
Ligament from Neck of Rib to Transverse Process of rib above
Superior Costotransverse Ligament
