The Vertebral Column

Question 1

How many bones are in the vertebral column?

Answer 1

• 33 small bones (vertebrae)
• separated by intervertebral discs
• 5 regions
  
  • Cervical (7)
  • Thoracic (12)
  • Lumbar (5)
  • Sacrum (5, fused)
  • Coccyx (4, fused)

Question 2

What are the functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 2

• Protection
  
  • encloses and protects the spinal cord within the spinal canal
• Support
  
  • carries the weight of the body above the pelvis
• Axis
  
  • forms the central axis of the body
• Movement
  
  • has roles in both posture and movement

Question 3

Name the structures

Answer 3

• Orange = Spinous process
• Purple = Lamina
• Yellow = Superior articular process
• Green = Pedicles
• Red = Transverse process

Question 4

What is the basic common structure of vertebrae?

Answer 4

• Vertebral Body (anterior)
  
  • weight bearing component
  • increases in size as the column descends
  • superior and inferior aspects lined with hyaline cartilage
• Vertebral Arch
  
  • lateral and posterior parts of the vertebrae
  • forms an enclosed hole with the body; vertebral foramen
    
    • foramen line up to form the vertebral canal, enclosing the spinal cord

Question 5

What are the pedicles?

Answer 5

Two areas (one left and right) of vertebrae that join the transverse processes to the vertebral body. The point posteriorly and meet the flatter laminae.

Question 6

What are the lamina?

Answer 6

The bone between the transverse and spinal processes.

Question 7

What are the transverse processes?

Answer 7

Extensions laterally and posteriorly away from the pedicles. In thoracic vertebrae, they articulate with the ribs.

Question 8

What are the articular processes?

Answer 8

At the junction of the lamina and the pedicles, superior and posterior. These articulate with the processes above and below.

Question 9

What are the spinous processes?

Answer 9

Posterior and inferior projection of bone, a site of attachment for muscles and ligaments.

Question 10

What are the three distinguishing features of cervical vertebrae?

Answer 10

• spinous process bifurcates into two parts; bifid spinous process
  
  • C7 has a longer spinous process that does not bifurcate
• two transverse foramina, one in each transverse process
  
  • conduct the vertebral arteries
• foramen is triangular

Question 11

What are the main features of the thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 11

• articulates with the ribs
• two demi facets on each side of its vertebral body
  
  • articulates with the head of the respective rib and the inferior rib
• costal facets on each transverse process
  
  • articulate with the respective rib
• vertebral foramen is circular

Question 12

How are lumbar vertebrae characterised?

Answer 12

• large vertebral bodies
  
  • kidney shaped
• no transverse foramina, costal facets of bifid spinous processes
• vertebral foramen are triangular

Question 13

How many bones are there in the sacrum and coccyx?

Answer 13

• sacrum
  
  • 5 fused
  • lateral walls are facets that articulate with the pelvis at the sacroiliac joints
• coccyx
  
  • 3-5 bones fused
  • articulates with the apex of the sacrum
  • no vertebral canal or arches - coccyx does not transmit the spinal cord

Question 14

Describe the joints of the vertebral column

Answer 14

General:

• five articulations between each vertebral body
• vertebral body joints = cartilaginous
• articular surface = hyaline cartilage
• fibrocartilaginous intervertebral disc

Ligaments:

• anterior longitudinal ligament
  
  • thick
  • prevents hyperextension
• posterior longitudinal ligament
  
  • weaker
  • prevents hyperflexion

Question 15

Describe the joints between articular facets

Answer 15

• Called facet joints
• Allow the for the vertebrae to have gliding motions
• Strengthened by various ligaments
  
  • ligamentum flavum
    
    • lamina - lamina
  • interspinous and supraspinous ligaments
    
    • join the spinous processes together
      
      • inter- between processes
      • supra - attach to the tips
  • intertransverse ligaments
    
    • extends between the transverse processes

Question 16

Kyphosis

Answer 16

Excessive thoracic curvature causing a hunchback deformity

Question 17

Lordosis

Answer 17

Excessive lumbar curvature, causing a swayback deformity

Question 18

Scoliosis

Answer 18

A lateral curvature of the spine, usually of unknown cause

Question 19

Cervical spondylosis

Answer 19

A decrease in the size of the intervertebral foramina, usually due to degeneration of the joints of the spine. The smaller size of the intervertebral foramina puts pressure on the exiting nerves causing pain.

Characteristics:

• osteophytes
• narrowing of disc space
• degenerative facets joints and foramina narrowing