The Vertebral Column Flashcards
How many vertebrae comprise the vertebral column?
33.
List the vertebrae that are formed by the fusion of multiple other vertebrae.
How many vertebrae are these composed of?
1 - Sacrum (fusion of 5 vertebrae).
2 - Coccyx (fusion of 4 vertebrae)
List the regions of the vertebral column.
1 - Cervical.
2 - Thoracic.
3 - Lumbar.
4 - Sacral.
5 - Coccygeal.
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7.
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12.
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5.
Which structures form the vertebral foramen / spinal canal?
The vertebral body and vertebral arch.
What lines the vertebral body?
Hyaline cartilage.
What links adjacent vertebral bodies?
Intervertebral discs.
How does the size of the vertebral body change along the spine?
The size of the vertebral bodies increases from top to bottom.
List the processes that emerge from the vertebral arch.
1 - 1 x spinous process.
2 - 2 x transverse processes.
What is the pedicle of a vertebra?
The part of the vertebral arch between the body and the transverse process.
What is the lamina of a vertebra?
The part of the vertebral arch between the transverse processes and the spinous process.
Where are the articular processes of a vertebra?
Superior and inferior to the transverse processes (at the junction of the lamina and pedicle).
What is the function of the articular processes of a vertebra?
- 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.
Which ligament strengthens the synovial joints between vertebrae?
Where does this ligament attach?
- The ligamentum flavum.
- This ligament attaches to the front of the superior lamina and to the back of the lower lamina.
What are vertebral notches?
Superior and inferior depressions of pedicles.
What are intervertebral foramen?
The gaps on the lateral sides of vertebrae formed by vertebral notches through which segmental nerves pass.
Where are dorsal root ganglia found?
At the intervertebral foramen.
What are the major ligaments that strap the vertebral column together?
The anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments.
Which of the longitudinal ligaments of the vertebral column is strongest?
The anterior longitudinal ligament.
How is the anterior longitudinal ligament of the vertebral column bound to vertebrae?
It is united to the periosteum of the vertebral bodies only (it is free over the intervertebral discs).
What is the name of the continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the vertebral column above the axis?
The membrana tectoria.
How do the shapes of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments of the vertebral column change as they pass downwards?
The anterior longitudinal ligament broadens as it passes downwards whereas the posterior longitudinal ligament narrows.
How is the posterior longitudinal ligament of the vertebral column bound to vertebrae?
It is united to the intervertebral discs only (it is free over the vertebral bodies).
What separates the posterior longitudinal ligament of the vertebral column from the vertebral bodies?
The emerging basivertebral veins.
Which movement is resisted by the ligamentum flavum?
Flexion of the spine (leaning forwards).
Which ligament joins the tips of adjacent spinous processes?
The supraspinous ligament.
Which movement is resisted by the interpsinous ligament?
Flexion of the spine (leaning forwards).
Which ligament joins adjacent spinous processes along the length of their borders?
The interspinous ligament.
Where are interspinous ligaments most well developed?
In the lumbar region.
With which ligaments do interspinous ligaments fuse?
Supraspinous ligaments.
List the attachments of the ligament nuchae.
Proximally: The occipital protuberance.
Intermediate: All cervical spinous processes.
Distally: Thoracic interspinous and supraspinous ligaments.
What are the curvatures of the spine and how are they formed?
- 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.
List 3 functions of the ligament nuchae.
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.
List 4 distinguishing features of cervical vertebrae.
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.
What passes through transverse foramen?
Vertebral arteries (except for C7, where accessory vertebral veins pass through the transverse foramen).
What is the C1 vertebra called?
The atlas.
What is the C2 vertebra called?
The axis.
List the articulations of the atlas.
- Superiorly: The atlanto-occipital joint.
- Inferiorly: The atlanto-axial joint.
What movement does the atlanto-occipital joint allow for?
Nodding movements.
What movement does the atlanto-axial joint allow for?
Side to side rotation.
List the ways in which the atlas differs structurally from other cervical vertebrae.
1 - It lacks a body.
2 - It lacks a spinous process.
List the ways in which the axis differs structurally from other cervical vertebrae.
1 - It has the odontoid process (dens).
2 - It has a large spinous process.
3 - It has a large and rugged lateral mass.
What is the function of the odontoid process / dens?
To prevent horizontal displacement of the atlas.
Which vertebra is fractured in a hangman’s fracture?
Which movement causes this fracture?
- The axis (C2).
- Caused by hyperextension of the head.
Which injuries is the cervical spine particularly susceptible to?
1 - Whiplash injuries (such as in RTAs).
2 - Sports injuries.
Which injury is the lumbar spine particularly susceptible to?
Herniation of the L4/5 or L5/S1 intervertebral discs.
List 4 issues that may arise with intervertebral discs.
1 - Degeneration.
2 - Bulging.
3 - Herniation.
4 - Thinning.
From which artery do vertebral arteries form?
The basilar artery.
Which artery passes just anterior to the cervical spine?
The internal carotid artery.
What is an exaggerated anterior curvature known as?
Kyphosis.
What is an exaggerated posterior curvature known as?
Lordosis.
What is significant about the vertebrae that pass through the centre of gravity of the vertebral column?
They are the weak points of the vertebral column.
Which vertebra is fractured in a Jefferson fracture?
What causes this fracture?
- The axis (C2).
- Caused by a head first fall.
