The Vertebral Column: Axial Skeleton Flashcards
The vertebral column (aka spine, spinal column) is pat of the ___ skeleton.
axial
The cranium, mandible, spine, ribs, and sternum are part of the ____ skeleton.
axial
What are the parts of the axial skeleton?
cranium, mandible, spine, ribs, and sternum
What are the 2 principal roles of the vertebral column?
protect spinal cord
transfer loads from head, trunk, and upper limbs to pelvis
The human spine has adapted for ______.
bipedalism
Which region of the spinal “S-curve” is convex posteriorly?
thoracic
sacral
Which region of the spinal “S-curve” is concave?
cervical
lumbar
How many vertebrae in the cervical region?
7
How many vertebrae in the thoracic region?
12
How many vertebrae in the lumbar region?
5
How many vertebrae in the sacral region?
5
What is the purpose of the intervertebral discs?
- cushion vertebra
- helps transfer loads
- “intervertebral joint”
Which vertebra has the smallest intervertebral discs? Which has the largest?
smallest- cervical
largest- lumbar (bear most weight)
What are the palpable skeletal landmarks and points of reference for the back and spinal column?
- cervicothoracic junction (C7)
- scapular spine (T3)
- inferior scapular angle (T7)
- 12th rib (T12)
- Iliac crest (L4)
What are the movements of the vertebral column dictated by?
shape and position of superior and inferior articular facets
Where is there a greater range of flexion?
lumbar region
What are the movements of the vertebral column?
extension flexion lateral extension lateral flexion rotation of head and neck rotation fo upper trunk, neck , and head
Rotation of the trunk occurs primarily in the ____ region.
thoracic
What is the most movable part of the vertebral column?
cervical spine
What is the total flexion and extension across the craniocervical region?
flexion: 45-50
extension: 85
What is the total axial rotation across the craniocervical region?
90
What is the total lateral flexion across the craniocervical region?
40
The craniocervical region is the articulation between what?
Skull and C1 + C2
Which artery is the main blood supply to the brain (moves with vertebral rotation)?
basilar artery
The course of the vertebral artery. through the transverse foramina of C2 (axis) and C1 (atlas) as they become the basilar a. make them vulnerable to impingement, in certain cases, when the neck is rotated:
- osteoarthritis/ bone spurs
- rapid and/or forceful twisting of the head and neck
- atherosclerosis/arteriosclerosis of vertebral artery
What are some symptoms the impingement of basilar artery?
- vertigo/dizziness
- syncope
- visual disturbance