Vertebrae Flashcards
What are the main components of a typical vertebra?
A vertebral body and a posterior vertebral arch
The vertebral arch includes processes for muscle attachment and articulation.
What is the function of the vertebral body?
It is the weight-bearing part of the vertebra
The vertebral body links to adjacent vertebral bodies via intervertebral discs and ligaments.
How does the size of vertebral bodies change in the vertebral column?
The size increases inferiorly
This increase is due to the greater amount of weight supported as one moves down the column.
What does the vertebral arch form?
The lateral and posterior parts of the vertebral foramen
The vertebral foramen is the opening that houses the spinal cord.
What is the vertebral canal?
A canal formed by the vertebral foramina of all vertebrae
It contains and protects the spinal cord and is continuous with the cranial cavity.
What are the two components of the vertebral arch?
Pedicles and laminae
Pedicles attach the arch to the vertebral body, while laminae form the roof of the arch.
What is the role of the pedicles in a vertebra?
They are bony pillars that attach the vertebral arch to the vertebral body
There are two pedicles in each vertebra.
What do the laminae in the vertebral arch do?
They are flat sheets of bone that meet in the midline
The laminae form the roof of the vertebral arch.
What is the spinous process?
A projection that extends posteriorly and inferiorly from the laminae
It serves as a site for muscle and ligament attachment.
What is the function of the transverse process?
It extends posterolaterally for muscle and ligament attachment and articulation with ribs
This is particularly relevant in the thoracic region.
What are the superior and inferior articular processes?
They articulate with the corresponding processes of adjacent vertebrae
These processes are located where the pedicles join the laminae.
