Unit 1: Lecture 6/7

Question 1

How long is the vertebral column? (cm, in, and ft)

Answer 1

72-75cm
28-30in
2.5 ft

Question 2

Curvatures of back (# and time of curvature)

Answer 2

Cervical (7; secondary)
Thoracic (12; primary)
Lumbar (5; secondary)
Sacral (5; primary;)
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Coccygeal (4 - fused)

Question 3

Curvatures of back (flexible or fused)

Answer 3

C - flex
T - flex
L - flex
S - fused
Coccygeal - fused

Question 4

Parts (generalized) of a typical vertebrae (3)

Answer 4

1. body
2. neural arch
3. vertebral foramen

Question 5

Parts of a basic neural arch

Answer 5

1. pedicle
2. processes (superior/inferior articular, spinous, transverse)
3. facets
4. pars interarticularis
5. superior/inferior articular notch

Question 6

Superior Articular Facet + Inferior Articular Facet =

Answer 6

Vertebral Facet Joint (gliding joint)

Question 7

When superior/inferior notches are stacked on top of each other, the space between them forms…

Answer 7

Intervertebral Foramen, allowing space to transmit spinal nerves

Question 8

Special Cervical Vertebrae traits

Answer 8

• Transverse foramen, allowing space for vertebral arteries
• Bifid (split) spinous process
• Uncinate process (uncus body of C2-C7)
• Articular facets start on transverse plane (C3) and end on coronal plane (C7)
• Largest vertebral foramen
• oval-shaped body

Question 9

Special Thoracic Vertebrae traits

Answer 9

• No more uncus or transverse foramen
• heart-shaped bodies
• Costal facets form costal cup
• Articular processes on coronal plane

Question 10

Costal Demi-facet on Thoracic Vertebrae

Answer 10

Creates costal cup, which is where the head of a rib will attach. # of rib will be the number of the LOWER # vertebrae of costal cup

Question 11

Special Lumbar Vertebrae traits

Answer 11

• large bean-shaped bodies
• larger vertebral foramen (triangular-shaped)
• spinous processes are super short and stubby
• Costal facets on a sagittal plane
• Mammillary and Accessory processes

Question 12

Special Sacral Vertebrae traits

Answer 12

• fused
• Anterior/Posterior Sacral Foramina (4 pairs each)
• Sacral canal
• Median/Lateral Sacral ridge
• Sacral horns (articulate with coccygeal horns)
• Sacral hiatus

Question 13

Special Coccyx traits

Answer 13

• fused (4 segments)
• coccygeal horns (articulate with sacral horns)
• transverse processes
• pelvic diaphragm attachment

Question 14

Sacrococcygeal joint

Answer 14

The articulation of facets between sacrum and coccyx.

Gliding joint.

Question 15

Sacrococcygeal ligaments

Answer 15

• 2 lateral (covering the lateral ridges)

- 1 posterior (covering the medial ridge)

Question 16

Intevertebral disks parts (2)

Answer 16

• Nucleus Polposus (inner, jelly-like substance)

- Annulus Fibrosus (fibrous, surrounding layers)

Question 17

Herniated disk happens when…

Answer 17

Nucleus Polposus “squirts” out, into the annulus fibrosus, putting pressure on the nerve root

Question 18

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL)

Answer 18

Runs the length of the vertebral bodies (anteriorly attached to bodies, but INSIDE vertebral canal), thickest in the cervical vertebrae and thinnest in lumbar segment

Question 19

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL)

Answer 19

Runs the length of the vertebral bodies, thickest in the lumbar vertebrae and thinnest in cervical segment

Question 20

Why do we get shorter as we age?

Answer 20

One reason is from water loss in our intevertebral disks

Question 21

Curvature shapes

Answer 21

Cervical: anteriorly convex
Thoracic: anteriorly concave
Lumbar: anteriorly convex
Sacral: anteriorly concave

Question 22

Why is newborn’s spine fairly concave?

Answer 22

To allow room for the viscera

Question 23

What happens when baby starts walking?

Answer 23

Center of gravity changes, so secondary curvatures develop