Topic 1: vertebral column

Question 1

funtions of spine - 5

Answer 1

• fixation
• spinal cord protection
• cushioning (compression forces)
• mobility
• hematopoiesis –> creating of new rbc

Question 2

regions of the spine

Answer 2

1. Cervical (7 vertebrae) from C1 to C7 (CI - CVII)
2. Thoracic (12 vertebrae) from T1 to T12 (TI - TXII)
3. Lumbar (5 vertebrae) from L1 to L5 (LI - LV)
4. Sacral (5 vertebrae) from S1 to S5 merged (I-V)
5. Coccygeal (3 to 4 fused vertebrae) (I-IV)
   = 33 vertebrae in total

Question 3

vertebral body - 4

Answer 3

• Is in the anterior position and its main complement of body weight maintenance.
• It increases in size from the C2 vertebra to LV.
• Fibrocartilaginous intervertebral discs separate the vertebral bodies from adjacent vertebrae.
• The symphysis between adjacent vertebral bodies is formed by a layer of hyaline cartilage in each vertebral body and an intervertebral disc, which are located between these layers.

Question 4

intervertebral disc

Answer 4

• consists of an outer annulus fibrosus surrounding a central nucleus pulposus.

Question 5

annalus fibrosus

Answer 5

consists of an outer ring of collagen that surrounds a wider area of fibrocartilage arranged in a lamellar fashion. This arrangement of the fibers limits the rotation between vertebrae

Question 6

nucleus pulposus

Answer 6

occupies the center of the intervertebral disc, is gelatinous in nature and absorbs compressive forces between the vertebrae.