Tutorials 1-4 Flashcards
Functions of Vertebral Column:
- Transmit load/force
- Facilitate movement/site of attachment for ligaments and tendons
- Protect neural structures (Spinal cord)
Curvature of Vertebral Column
Lordosis = Concave
Kyphosis = Convex
Number of Vertebrae in each region:
7 Cervical
12 Thoracic
5 Lumbar
5 Sacral
4 coccygeal
Typical Vertebral Body of Cervical Vertebra
Small and wider from side to side than anteroposteriorly; superior surface concave (uncinate process)
Typical Vertebral Foramen of Cervical Vertebra
Large and triangular
Typical Transverse Processes in Cervical Vertebra
- Transverse foramen
- Anterior and posterior tubercles
- Vertebral arteries
Typical Articular Processes of Cervical Vertebra
- Superior articular facets directed superoposteriorly
- Inferior facets directed infero-anteriorly
- Obliquely placed facets almost horizontal
Typical Spinous Process of Cervical Vertebra
Short (C3-C5) and bifid (C3-C6); spinous process of C6 long, C7 longer
What are Uncovertebral Joints between?
Between uncinate processes of inferior vertebra and inferior endplate of superior vertebra
What do uncovertebral joints facilitate?
- Flexion/extension
- Limit lateral flexion
What are the Atypical Cervical Vertebra
C1, C2 & C7
Typical Vertebral Body of the Thoracic Body
- Heart shaped
- Costal facets for articulations of rib
Typical vertebral foramen of thoracic vertebra
Circular and smaller than cervical and lumbar. Approx size of distal portion of medium size index finger
Cervical Vertebrae Features
Thoracic Vertebrae Features
Typical Transverse Process of Thoracic Vertebra
- Long and strong.
- Extends posterolaterally; length diminishes from T1-T12; T1-T10 have facets for articulation with rib
Typical Articular Processes of Thoracic Vertebra
- Nearly vertical articular facets
- Superior facet directed posteriorly and slightly laterally; inferior facets directed anteriorly and slightly medially
Typical Spinous Process of Thoracic Vertebrae
Long; slope postero-inferiorly; tip extends to vertebral body below
What are the Atypical Thoracic Vertebrae
T1, T9-T12
Why is T1 Atypical?
- Complete costal facets
- Height of vertebral body and spinous process shape similar to Cx
Why are T9-T12 Atypical?
- Complete costal facets
- SP taking characteristics of lumbar spine
Typical Vertebral Body of Lumbar Vertebra
Large, kidney shaped
Typical Vertebral Foramen of Lumbar Vertebra
Triangular, larger than thoracic, smaller than cervical
Typical Articular Processes of Lumbar Vertebra
- Nearly vertical articular facets
- Superior facet directed posteromedially
- Inferior facets directed anterolaterally
- Mammillary process on posterior surface of superior articular facet
Typical Lumbar Vertebrae
What are the atypical lumbar vertebrae?
L5
- Largest body and TP
Facet joint orientation in Cx
45 degrees on the frontal plane
Facet joint orientation in Tx
60 to the transverse plane
Facet joint orientation in Lx
90 degrees sagittal plane
Atlanto-Occipital joint
Articulation between superior articular facet of atlas and condyles of occiput
Atlanto-axial Joint
- Two lateral atlanto-axial joints between facets
- One median atlanto-axial joint between dens and anterior arch of atlas
Ligamentous Structure between atlas and axis
- Transverse ligament of the atlas
- Alar ligament
- Apical ligament
- tectorial membrane
Ligaments of the vertebral column:
- Anterior longitudinal
- Posterior longitudinal (becomes tectorial membrane)
- Interspinous
- Supraspinous
- Intertransverse
- Ligamentum flavum
What are the two main articulations between the ribs and the thoracic vertebrae?
Costovertebral joints and costotransverse joints
What structures form the costovertebral joint?
The head of the rib articulates with the superior costal facet of the corresponding vertebra, the inferior costal facet of the vertebra above, and the intervertebral disc
What type of joint is the costovertebral joint?
Synovial plane joint
What structures form the costotransverse joint?
The tubercle of the rib articulates with the transverse process of the corresponding thoracic vertebra
What type of joint is the costotransverse joint?
Synovial plane joint
Which ribs lack costotransverse joints?
Ribs 11 and 12, as they do not articulate with the transverse processes
What ligaments stabilize the costovertebral joint?
Radiate ligament (connects rib head to vertebral bodies and disc)
What ligaments stabilize the costotransverse joint?
- Costotransverse ligament (between rib neck and transverse process)
- Lateral costotransverse ligament (between rib tubercle and transverse process tip)
- Superior costotransverse ligament (rib neck to transverse process of the vertebra above)
What are the main parts of a typical rib?
Head, neck, tubercle, shaft (body), costal groove, and costal cartilage
What are the differences between typical and atypical ribs?
Typical ribs (3-9):
Have a head, neck, tubercle, and a well-defined costal groove
Atypical ribs (1, 2, 10, 11, 12):
Have unique features, such as a single facet (1, 10-12), shorter length (1, 2), or no tubercle (11, 12)
What is the function of the costal groove on a rib?
It provides a passage for the intercostal vein, artery, and nerve
What provides stability to the spine?
Intervertebral disc, the surrounding ligaments and muscles
What are the two main components of each intervertebral disc?
Inner nucleus pulposus and outer anulus fibrosus
What do the end plates of the intervertebral discs connect to?
The vertebrae
What happens to the water percentage in the nucleus pulposus with age?
It decreases
Where do spinal nerves exit the vertebral column?
Spinal nerves exit through the intervertebral foramina, located between adjacent vertebrae
What forms the intervertebral foramen
- Superior vertebral notch of the vertebra below
- Inferior vertebral notch of the vertebra above
- Intervertebral disc (anteriorly)
- Zygapophyseal (facet) joint (posteriorly)
How are spinal nerves numbered in the cervical region?
In the cervical region (C1-C7), spinal nerves exit above their corresponding vertebra. C8 spinal nerve exits below C7 (between C7 and T1).
How are spinal nerves numbered in the thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal regions?
In the thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal regions, spinal nerves exit below their corresponding vertebra (e.g., T1 nerve exits below T1 vertebra).
Superficial Intrinsic Back Muscles
- Splenius Cervicis
- Splenius Capitis
Intermediate Intrinsic Layer of Back Muscles
- Iliocostalis
- Longissimus
- Spinalis
Deep Intrinsic layer of back muscles
- Semispinalis
- Multifidus
- Rotatores
Deepest Intrinsic layer of back muscles
- Interspinalis
- Intertransversii
- Levatores Costarum
Splenius Capitis Function:
Unilateral contraction: Lateral flexion & ipsilateral rotation of cx
Bilateral contraction: Cx extension
Splenius cervicis Function:
Unilateral contraction: Lateral flexion & ipsilateral rotation of cx
Bilateral contraction: Cx extension
Iliocostalis FUnction
Bilateral: Extension
Unilateral: Lateral flexion
Longissimus Function
Bilateral: Extension
Unilateral: Lateral flexion
Capitis only
Bilateral: Extension of neck
Unilateral: Lateral flexion and ipsilateral rotation
Spinalis function:
Bilateral: Extension
Unilateral: Lateral flexion
Semispinalis Function
Bilateral:Extension
Unilateral :Lateral flexion (ipsilateral), rotation of spine (contralateral)
Multifidus Function
Spinal stabilizers
Bilateral: Extension
Unilateral: Lateral flexion
Capitis only
Bilateral: Extension of neck
Unilateral: Ipsilateral lateral flexion and contralateral rotation
Rotatores Function
Spinal stabilizers
Bilateral: Extension
Unilateral: contralateral rotation
Levatores Costarum Function
Elevation of the ribs
Rotation of thoracic spine
Intertransversarii Function
Assists lateral flexion of the spine; Stabilizes spine
Interspinalis Function
Extension of cervical and lumbar spine
Suboccipital Muscles
Rectus capitis posterior major
Rectus capitis posterior minor
Obliquus capitis superior
Obliquus capitis inferior
Function of suboccipital muscles
Extension & Ipsilateral rotation
Suboccipital Triangle
Borders:
- Rectus capitis posterior major
- Obliquus capitis superior
- Obliquus capitis inferior
Roof:
- Semispinalis capitis
Floor:
- Posterior arch of atlas
- Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
Contents:
- Vertebral artery
- Suboccipital nerve
Upper Trapezius Function
Extension, Lateral flexion (ipsilateral), rotation (ipsilateral)
Sternocleidomastoid Function
Ipsilateral lateral flexion
Contralateral rotation
Upper Cx extension
Lower Cx flexion
Scalene muscles Function
Anterior: Cx flexion, lateral flexion (ipsilateral), rotation (contralateral)
Middle: Cx flexion
Posterior: Lateral flexion (ipsilateral)
External Oblique Function
Bilateral contraction - Trunk flexion, compresses abdominal viscera, expiration
Unilateral contraction - Trunk lateral flexion (ipsilateral), trunk rotation (contralateral)
Internal Oblique
Bilateral contraction - Trunk flexion, compresses abdominal viscera, expiration
Unilateral contraction - Trunk lateral flexion (ipsilateral), trunk rotation (ipsilateral)
Transversus Abdominis
Bilateral contraction - Compresses abdominal viscera, expiration
Unilateral contraction - Trunk rotation (ipsilateral)
Rectus Abdominis Function
Trunk flexion, compresses abdominal viscera, expiration
Pyramidalis Function
Unknown
Psoas Function
Flexion of the thigh/trunk,
Lateral rotation of the thigh
Lateral flexion of the trunk
Iliacus Function
Flexion of the thigh/trunk,
Lateral rotation of the thigh
Lateral flexion of the trunk,
Stabilizes hip joint
Quadratus Lumborum Function
Extension & Ipsilateral lateral flexion
Longus capitis Function
Bilateral: Flexes head & neck
Unilateral: ipsilateral rotation
Longus Colli Function
Bilateral contraction: Neck flexion
Unilateral contraction: Neck contralateral rotation, neck lateral flexion (ipsilateral)
Rectus Capitis Lateralis Function
Stabilizes the atlanto-occipital joint; head lateral flexion (ipsilateral)
Rectus Capitis Anterior Function
Atlantooccipital joint: Head flexion
