The Vertebral Column

Question 1

The spine is composed of _________ held together for what purpose?

Answer 1

Vertebrae (sing. Vertebra). Give support for spinal cord and nerves arising from it

Question 2

How many vertebrae? How many moveable verrebrae?

Answer 2

33, 24 movable

Question 3

Name the sections of the spine and how many vertebrae each.

Answer 3

Cervical (7), thoracic (12), lumbar (5), sacrum (5 fused), coccyx (4 fused)

Question 4

What is between each vertebrae?

Answer 4

Fibrocartilagenous discs called Intervertebral discs

Question 5

What is the function of IVD?

Answer 5

Weight bearing, shock absorption

Question 6

How is a disc named?

Answer 6

Named for the two vertebrae it sits between (ie L4L5 disc)

Question 7

Are there IVD between all the vertebrae?

Answer 7

No disc between C1C2,

Question 8

What are the two parts of the disc?

Answer 8

Outer fibrous layer called annulus fibrosis. Inner gel like centre called nucleus pulposus

Question 9

How much of the total length of the vertebral column is comprised of vertebrae?

Answer 9

75% vertebrae, 25% disc

Question 10

Are discs innervated?

Answer 10

A neural except for peripheral 1/3rd.

Question 11

What are the discs blood supply?

Answer 11

Avascular

Question 12

Name the 4 curves of the spine. Primary or secondary?

Answer 12

Cervical (lordotic) secondary
Thoracic (kyphosis) primary
Lumbar (lordotic) secondary
Sacral (kyphotic) primary

Question 13

What is the large, heavy anterior portion of the vertebra called?

Answer 13

Body

Question 14

What does the vertebral arch enclose?

Answer 14

The vertebral foramen

Question 15

The vertebral arch is formed anteriorly by

Answer 15

2 pedicels and 2 laminae

Question 16

The laminae meet posteriorly to form …

Answer 16

Spinous process

Question 17

What arises from the arch (total 4)

Answer 17

Articular processes. Superior and inferior on R and L

Question 18

What is on each articular process?

Answer 18

Articular facet

Question 19

The inferior articular facet of one vertebra and the superior articular facet of another vertebra forms what joint?

Answer 19

Articular joints (aka zygapophysial joints)

Question 20

The area between the superior and inferior articular processes is called

Answer 20

pars interarticularis

Question 21

The most common site for fracture on the vertebrae

Answer 21

pars interarticularis

Question 22

What projects from the arch laterally?

Answer 22

transverse processes

Question 23

Superior and Inferior vertebral notches arise on the pedicles and form almost a complete ring called what?

Answer 23

Intervertebral foramen

Question 24

What is enclosed within the vertebral foramen?

Answer 24

Passageway of spinal cord

Question 25

What is enclosed within the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 25

Exit of spinal nerves

Question 26

What is enclosed within the transverse foramen?

Answer 26

Vertebral artery