The Vertebral Column and Spinal Cord Flashcards
How many cervical vertebrae does the vertebral column have?
7, Labelled C1-C7
How many thoracic vertebra does the vertebral column have?
12, Labelled T1-T12
How many lumbar vertebra does the vertebral column have?
5, Labelled L1-L5
What does the sacrum consist of?
5 fused vertebrae and the coccyx formed by the fusion of 4 or more redimentary vertebrae
Compare the body of cervical, thoracic and lumbar
Cervical- small and oval, C1 lacks a body, C2 has rhe dens on the superior surface of its body
Thoracic-larger and heart-shaped, contrain costal facets
Lumbar-largest and kidney shaped
Compare the vertebral foramen shape between cervical, thoracic and lumbar
Cervical- Tringular
Thoracic- Circular
Lumbar- Flattened triangular
Compare the transverse processes between cervical, thoracic and lumbar
Cervical- contain transverse foramina
Thoracic- Long, contain articular facets for ribs
Lumbar- short with no facets or foramina
Compare the spinous processes between cervical, thoracic and lumbar
Cervical-most are fork-shaped, C1 lacks a spinous process
Thoracic- Long, point inferiorly
Lumbar- Thick, point posteriorly
Location of the cervical vertebrae
In the neck area, just below the skull
Location of the thoracic vertebra
Bears the rib cage
Location of the lumbar vertebra
Constitutes the spine and lower back
What is the primary role of the vertebral column?
Weight bearing, locomotion & protection of the spinal cord
What are the three curvatures of the vertebral column?
Cervical- bends forwards
Thoracic- bends backwards
Lumbar- bends forwards
What is the intervertebral disk?
A secondary cartilage joint formed from a composite of two types of cartilage, but the majoirty of the disc is formed by fibro-cartilage whihc has an internal strucutre - the centre of it is liquid (the nucleus pulposis) and around the edge are concentric circles of fibrous cartilage (the annulus fibrosis)
Spinous ligaments are connected by what?
Interspoinous ligament
Tips of spinous processes are connected by what?
Supraspinous ligament
What elastic tissue is yellow?
Ligamentum flavum
What happens with arthritis of the facet joints?
There is a narrowing of the intervertebral foramen which causes nerve root compression
What happens if there are bony irregularities in the pedicle or vertebral body?
It can narrow the intervertebral foramen and cause nerve root compression
What is radiculopathy
The pinching of a nerve root in the spinal column. The pinched nerve can occur at different areas along the spine.
Symptoms of radiculopathy vary by location but frequently include pain, weakness, numbness and tingling.
Commonly caused by compression due to prolapsed intervertebral disc and most commonly occurs at L5/S1 in the lumbar region, or C6/7 in the neck
What causes sciatica?
Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve
Symptoms/signs:
Pain radiating down the buttock, into the leg down to the calf
Weakness in dorsiflexion causes foot drop
Abnormal gait
What is the epidural space?
The space between the vertebrae and the dura mater or the spinal cord. It contains small arteries whihc supplies the spinal cord and the vertebral venous plexuses
What is the difference between a vertebral level and a spinal cord level?
Spinal cord segmental levels are defined by their roots but are not always situated at the corresponding vertebral levels
What is cauda equina syndrome?
Compression of nerve roota below the level of the spinal cord termination (L1-S5).
It is mostly commonly caused by disc prolapse at L4/5 or L5/S1
Signs/Symptoms:
Low back pain
Perineal paraesthesia (saddle distribution)
Decreased anal tone
Bladder dysfunction
Faecal incontinence
Sciatica
Lower extremity motor and sensory loss
Sexual dysfunction
How many pairs of spinal nerves does the spinal cord have?
31 pairs of nerves
What fibres does the dorsal root of the spinal nerve carry ?
Sensory fibres
What is the conus medullaris?
The tapering end of the cord
What is the filum terminale?
A fibrous strand extending from the conus medullaris to the coccyx
What is the cauda equina?
Horses tail- nerves from the lower part of the cord, the lumbar and sacral nerves, hanging obliquely downwards
What are dorsal root ganglion?
Cells of origin of the dorsal root fibres, they relay the sensory nerve impulses from the periphery to the peripheral nervous system and transmit sensory messages of pain and touch
