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RA 1 > The Vertebral Column > Flashcards

The Vertebral Column Flashcards

1
Q

How many vertebrae comprise the vertebral column?

A

33.

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2
Q

List the vertebrae that are formed by the fusion of multiple other vertebrae.

How many vertebrae are these composed of?

A

1 - Sacrum (fusion of 5 vertebrae).

2 - Coccyx (fusion of 4 vertebrae)

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3
Q

List the regions of the vertebral column.

A

1 - Cervical.

2 - Thoracic.

3 - Lumbar.

4 - Sacral.

5 - Coccygeal.

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4
Q

How many cervical vertebrae are there?

A

7.

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5
Q

How many thoracic vertebrae are there?

A

12.

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6
Q

How many lumbar vertebrae are there?

A

5.

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7
Q

Which structures form the vertebral foramen / spinal canal?

A

The vertebral body and vertebral arch.

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8
Q

What lines the vertebral body?

A

Hyaline cartilage.

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9
Q

What links adjacent vertebral bodies?

A

Intervertebral discs.

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10
Q

How does the size of the vertebral body change along the spine?

A

The size of the vertebral bodies increases from top to bottom.

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11
Q

List the processes that emerge from the vertebral arch.

A

1 - 1 x spinous process.

2 - 2 x transverse processes.

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12
Q

What is the pedicle of a vertebra?

A

The part of the vertebral arch between the body and the transverse process.

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13
Q

What is the lamina of a vertebra?

A

The part of the vertebral arch between the transverse processes and the spinous process.

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14
Q

Where are the articular processes of a vertebra?

A

Superior and inferior to the transverse processes (at the junction of the lamina and pedicle).

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15
Q

What is the function of the articular processes of a vertebra?

A
  • They are the surfaces at which vertebra form plane synovial joints called zygapophyseal joints with vertebrae superior and inferior to them.
  • They therefore prevent anterior displacement of the vertebrae.
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16
Q

Which ligament strengthens the synovial joints between vertebrae?

Where does this ligament attach?

A
  • The ligamentum flavum.

- This ligament attaches to the front of the superior lamina and to the back of the lower lamina.

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17
Q

What are vertebral notches?

A

Superior and inferior depressions of pedicles.

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18
Q

What are intervertebral foramen?

A

The gaps on the lateral sides of vertebrae formed by vertebral notches through which segmental nerves pass.

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19
Q

Where are dorsal root ganglia found?

A

At the intervertebral foramen.

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20
Q

What are the major ligaments that strap the vertebral column together?

A

The anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments.

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21
Q

Which of the longitudinal ligaments of the vertebral column is strongest?

A

The anterior longitudinal ligament.

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22
Q

How is the anterior longitudinal ligament of the vertebral column bound to vertebrae?

A

It is united to the periosteum of the vertebral bodies only (it is free over the intervertebral discs).

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23
Q

What is the name of the continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the vertebral column above the axis?

A

The membrana tectoria.

24
Q

How do the shapes of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments of the vertebral column change as they pass downwards?

A

The anterior longitudinal ligament broadens as it passes downwards whereas the posterior longitudinal ligament narrows.

25
Q

How is the posterior longitudinal ligament of the vertebral column bound to vertebrae?

A

It is united to the intervertebral discs only (it is free over the vertebral bodies).

26
Q

What separates the posterior longitudinal ligament of the vertebral column from the vertebral bodies?

A

The emerging basivertebral veins.

27
Q

Which movement is resisted by the ligamentum flavum?

A

Flexion of the spine (leaning forwards).

28
Q

Which ligament joins the tips of adjacent spinous processes?

A

The supraspinous ligament.

29
Q

Which movement is resisted by the interpsinous ligament?

A

Flexion of the spine (leaning forwards).

30
Q

Which ligament joins adjacent spinous processes along the length of their borders?

A

The interspinous ligament.

31
Q

Where are interspinous ligaments most well developed?

A

In the lumbar region.

32
Q

With which ligaments do interspinous ligaments fuse?

A

Supraspinous ligaments.

33
Q

List the attachments of the ligament nuchae.

A

Proximally: The occipital protuberance.

Intermediate: All cervical spinous processes.

Distally: Thoracic interspinous and supraspinous ligaments.

34
Q

What are the curvatures of the spine and how are they formed?

A
  • Primary curves (which are maintained in the thoracic and sacral regions in adults) are developed in the womb to form a ‘C’ shape.
  • Gradually secondary curves develop in the cervical and lumbar regions.
35
Q

List 3 functions of the ligament nuchae.

A

1 - It maintains the secondary curvature of the cervical spine.

2 - It helps the cervical spine support the head.

3 - It acts as a major site of attachment of neck and trunk muscles such as trapezius and the rhomboids.

36
Q

List 4 distinguishing features of cervical vertebrae.

A

1 - They are the smallest of the vertebrae.

2 - They have a split / bifid spinous process (apart from C7).

3 - They have oval transverse foramen in the transverse processes.

4 - They have the largest vertebral foramen.

37
Q

What passes through transverse foramen?

A

Vertebral arteries (except for C7, where accessory vertebral veins pass through the transverse foramen).

38
Q

What is the C1 vertebra called?

A

The atlas.

39
Q

What is the C2 vertebra called?

A

The axis.

40
Q

List the articulations of the atlas.

A
  • Superiorly: The atlanto-occipital joint.

- Inferiorly: The atlanto-axial joint.

41
Q

What movement does the atlanto-occipital joint allow for?

A

Nodding movements.

42
Q

What movement does the atlanto-axial joint allow for?

A

Side to side rotation.

43
Q

List the ways in which the atlas differs structurally from other cervical vertebrae.

A

1 - It lacks a body.

2 - It lacks a spinous process.

44
Q

List the ways in which the axis differs structurally from other cervical vertebrae.

A

1 - It has the odontoid process (dens).

2 - It has a large spinous process.

3 - It has a large and rugged lateral mass.

45
Q

What is the function of the odontoid process / dens?

A

To prevent horizontal displacement of the atlas.

46
Q

Which vertebra is fractured in a hangman’s fracture?

Which movement causes this fracture?

A
  • The axis (C2).

- Caused by hyperextension of the head.

47
Q

Which injuries is the cervical spine particularly susceptible to?

A

1 - Whiplash injuries (such as in RTAs).

2 - Sports injuries.

48
Q

Which injury is the lumbar spine particularly susceptible to?

A

Herniation of the L4/5 or L5/S1 intervertebral discs.

49
Q

List 4 issues that may arise with intervertebral discs.

A

1 - Degeneration.

2 - Bulging.

3 - Herniation.

4 - Thinning.

50
Q

From which artery do vertebral arteries form?

A

The basilar artery.

51
Q

Which artery passes just anterior to the cervical spine?

A

The internal carotid artery.

52
Q

What is an exaggerated anterior curvature known as?

A

Kyphosis.

53
Q

What is an exaggerated posterior curvature known as?

A

Lordosis.

54
Q

What is significant about the vertebrae that pass through the centre of gravity of the vertebral column?

A

They are the weak points of the vertebral column.

55
Q

Which vertebra is fractured in a Jefferson fracture?

What causes this fracture?

A
  • The axis (C2).

- Caused by a head first fall.

RA 1 (20 decks)

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