The Vertebral Column Flashcards
The spine is composed of _________ held together for what purpose?
Vertebrae (sing. Vertebra). Give support for spinal cord and nerves arising from it
How many vertebrae? How many moveable verrebrae?
33, 24 movable
Name the sections of the spine and how many vertebrae each.
Cervical (7), thoracic (12), lumbar (5), sacrum (5 fused), coccyx (4 fused)
What is between each vertebrae?
Fibrocartilagenous discs called Intervertebral discs
What is the function of IVD?
Weight bearing, shock absorption
How is a disc named?
Named for the two vertebrae it sits between (ie L4L5 disc)
Are there IVD between all the vertebrae?
No disc between C1C2,
What are the two parts of the disc?
Outer fibrous layer called annulus fibrosis. Inner gel like centre called nucleus pulposus
How much of the total length of the vertebral column is comprised of vertebrae?
75% vertebrae, 25% disc
Are discs innervated?
A neural except for peripheral 1/3rd.
What are the discs blood supply?
Avascular
Name the 4 curves of the spine. Primary or secondary?
Cervical (lordotic) secondary
Thoracic (kyphosis) primary
Lumbar (lordotic) secondary
Sacral (kyphotic) primary
What is the large, heavy anterior portion of the vertebra called?
Body
What does the vertebral arch enclose?
The vertebral foramen
The vertebral arch is formed anteriorly by
2 pedicels and 2 laminae
The laminae meet posteriorly to form …
Spinous process
What arises from the arch (total 4)
Articular processes. Superior and inferior on R and L
What is on each articular process?
Articular facet
The inferior articular facet of one vertebra and the superior articular facet of another vertebra forms what joint?
Articular joints (aka zygapophysial joints)
The area between the superior and inferior articular processes is called
pars interarticularis
The most common site for fracture on the vertebrae
pars interarticularis
What projects from the arch laterally?
transverse processes
Superior and Inferior vertebral notches arise on the pedicles and form almost a complete ring called what?
Intervertebral foramen
What is enclosed within the vertebral foramen?
Passageway of spinal cord
What is enclosed within the intervertebral foramen?
Exit of spinal nerves
What is enclosed within the transverse foramen?
Vertebral artery
