The Vertebral Column Flashcards
What are the functions of the spine?
Supports the thoracic cage
muscle attachment particularly pelvic and pectoral girdle and spinal muscles
upper and lower limb attachment and function
protection of the spinal cord
Shock absorption
Production of movement
What do the articular processes do?
Transmit weight Enable movement Limit movement Cervical spine --> increases rotation Lumbar spine --> limits rotation
What do the transverse processes do?
project laterally from junction of pedicles and laminae
levers for muscles and ligaments
What are spinous processes?
vary in size and shape
levers for muscles which extend the spine
What are foramen?
Vertebral arch encloses the spinal canal- protects spina cord
Spinal nerves pass out of intervertebral foramen between vertebrae
What is the intervertebral joint?
A symphysis joint
Vertebral end plate consists of hyaline cartilage
intervertebral disc- made up of annulus fibrous and nucleus pulposus
What is the annulus fibrous?
composed of 60-70% water
layers of collagen fibres arranged in sheets called lamellae
thicker anteriorly and towards the centre of the disc
thinner posteriorly
stiff structure resists buckling
What does the disc do?
Shock absorption
Allows movement and load transition
Stability to the spinal column
limit excessive movements
What are the zygapophyseal/ facet joints?
Synovial joints between the vertebral arches
Inferior articular process of one vertebra with the superior articular process of the vertebra
Articular cartilage
synovial membrane
Capsule
Planes of the joints are different cervical is 45 degrees upwards, thoracic is vertical backwards, lumbar is vertical inwards
What are the movements of the spine?
Flexion Extension Lateral/ side flexion rotation protraction and retraction of cervical spine
cervical curve
anterior convexity
thoracic curve
anterior concavity
lumbar curve
anterior convexity
sacral curve
anterior concavity
What is a lordosis?
anterior curve in the lumbar/cervical
