Vertebrae Flashcards
what are the 5 regions of the vertebral column?
- 7 cervical
- 12 thoracic
- 5 lumbar
- 5 sacral
- 4 coccygeal
which vertabrae are fused to form what structures in adults?
- the 5 sacral vertebrae are fused in adults to form the sacrum
- the 4 coccygeal vertebrae are fused to form the coccyx
what are the structural differences of the vertebrae in different regions related to?
- the size/structure is related to how much body weight they need to carry
- ie the vertebrae reach the max size towards the sacrum
what is the lumbosacral angle?
this is located at the junction of the lumbar region of the vertebral colum and sacrum
what are the 2 main curvatures of the spine?
- thoracic and sacral curvatures - Kyphoses - concaves anteriorly
- cervical & lumbarcurvatures (lordoses) concave posteriorly
what are primary curvatures?
give example
curvatures that develop during the fetal period
eg thoracic and sacral
why is the presacral region of the vertebral column so flexible?
consists of vertebrae that are joined together via intervertebral (IV) discs
what does a typical vertebrae consist of?
- vertebral body
- vertebral arch
- 7 processes
what is the function of the vertebral body?
- gives strength to the vertebral column & supports body weight
what is the vertebral arch formed from?
the left and right pedicles & lamina
what are the pedicles?
they are short, stout processes that join the vertebral arch to the vertebral body
what do the pedicles project posteriorly to come into contact with?
they project posteriorly to come into contact with laminae ( 2 broad pieces of flat bone)
what does the **succession of the vertebral foramen form **& what does it contain ?
forms the **vertebral canal **- which contains the spinal cord, meninges, spinal nerve roots and vessels
what are the vertebral notches?
they are indentations formed by the projection of the body & articular processes
what 7 processes arise from the vertebral arch of a typical vertebra?
- one median spinous process projects posteriorly
- 2 transverse processes projecting posterolaterally
- 4 articular processes - 2 superior & two inferior
what do the 4 articular processes contain?
an **articular surface - facet **
what do the spinous process & 2 transverse processes provide attachment for?
- they project from the vertebral arch and provide attachments for deep back muscles - serving as levers in moving the vertebrae
which are the atypical vs typical vertebrae of the cervical region of the vertebral column?
- atypical - **C1 (atlas) **& C2 (Axis) AND C7
- typical - C3-C6
Describe the regional characteristics of the typical cervical vertebrae
ie C3-C6
- small and wide vertebral body
- large and traingular vertebral foramen
also have transverse foramina - superior facets directed superoposteriorly
- IV discs are thick
what is the function of the cervical region?
supports the weight of the head