Vertebrae Flashcards
Complex succession of many bones
Vertebrae
The vertebral column is commonly called
Spine / spinal column
The 24 vertebral segments in the upper three regions are termed _______
True or movable vertebrae
The pelvic segments in the lower two regions are called _______
False / fixed vertebrae
The sacral segments usually fuse into one
Sacrum
The coccygeal segments are referred to as ________
Coccyx
Functions of the spine:
Protection of spinal cord Support for the trunk Support for the skull Attachment for the ribs Flexibility of motion Structural support and balance for posture
The spine must have :
Resistance
Elasticity
Increase mass of each vertebra from C1 to the sacrum
Resistance
Multiple motion segments
Elasticity
Composed of two pedicles , one on each side supporting a lamina
Neural arch
Lack of union or malunoon results in
Spina bifida
Permits flexion , extension , lateral and rotary motions
Vertebral column
Neural Arch is composed of
2 pedicles
2 laminae
Neural arch encloses the
Vertebral foramen
Neural arch supports 7 process
2 superior articular processes
2 inferior articular processes
2 transverse processes
One spinous process
Formation of apophyseal joints
Diarthrotic
Vertebral column is composed of _______ bones
33
Cervical & Lumbar regions form _____ curves
Lordotic
Thoracic & sacral regions form ______ curve
Kyphotic
Exagerated thoracic curve is ____
Lordosis ( Swayback )
Lateral curvature of vertebral column is called
Scoliosis
Excessive posterior thoracic curvature - hunchback
Kyphosis
Excessive anterior lumbar curvature - swayback
Lordosis
Main portion of the vertebra.
80% of the load / protects the spinal cord
Vertebral body
Serve as a bridge , joining the front and back parts of the vertebra
Pedicles
Roof of the spinal canal , protects the backside of the spinal cord
Lamina
Bony projection that arise at right angles to the midline of the lamina
Spinous process
Located at the junction of pedicles and the lamina .
Provide a place for the back muscles to attach to the spine
Transverse processes
Bony tunnel surrounding the spinal cord .
Contains the spinal cord , it also contains the nerve roots of the lower spine
Spinal canal
Allows connection with the vertebrae above and below it
Facet joints
Pair that faces upward
Superior articular facet
The pair that faces downward
Inferior articular facet
The facet complex is surrounded by
Watertight synovial capsule
Transverse process at the c7 is called
Cervical rib
Forked spinous process
Foramina transversa
Cervical
Costal pits or fovea on vert body on transverse processes
Thoracic
Large size
No pits
No foramina transversaria
Lumbar
No body
1st cervical vert
Atlas
A dens / odontoid process
2nd cervical vert.
Axis
C3 to C7 may be referred to as the
Subaxial Region
Subaxial cervical spine have upward projection on the lateral margin called
Uncinate processes
Uncovertebral joint are also called
Joints of Luschka
C7 is referred to as the _________ because of its longer and larger spinous process
Vertebra Prominens
Joint between the atlas (c1) and the axis ( c2)
Atlantoaxial Joint
Acts as a pivot point for the rotation of C1
Dens of C2
Articulating surfaces of the two vertebrae that allow flexion-extension is also called facet joints
Zygapophyseal joints
Inferior and superior articular process are articulated
Synovial joints
T2 - T9 forms ( ribs articulate w/ vertebrae)
Costovertebral joints
T1 , T10-T12 ( ribs articulates w/ transverse process)
Costotransverse joints
Eitherside of the sacrum articulates with the inner aspects of the pelvis
Sacroiliac joint
