Upper Limb - Spine Flashcards
What is the flat rounded body anteriocentrally in the spinal column?
vertebral body
What forms the spinal foramen?
vertebral body and neural arch
What passes through the spinal foramen?
spinal cord
What is the spinous process?
a projection of bone posteriorly and inferiorly
What processes project laterally?
transverse processes
What do the processes of the vertebrae provide?
attachments for muscles and ligaments
What 3 articulations do each vertebra have with each other?
intervertebral disc
2 facet joints
Where does the nucleus pulposus lie?
the centre of intervertebral discs
What forms the nucleus pulposus?
strongly hydrophilic gel enmeshed in a collagen matrix
Why is there an elevated pressure in the nucleus pulposus?
to balance out the compress stress applied
What happens when stress on the intervertebral discs is removed?
it rehydrates
What is the annulus fibrosis?
a tough layer which surrounds the nucleus pulposus
What is the structure of the annulus fibrosis?
collagen lamellae with alternating orientation to bear both bending and torsional loads
How many vertebrae make up the cervical spine?
7
Describe the atlas
it has no vertebral body but has a bony ring which articulates with the axis