Vertebrae Flashcards
Number of vertebrae in each portion of the vertebrae
_Cervical: 7 _Thoracic: 12 _Lumbar: 5 _Sacral: 5 fused _Coccygeal: 3-4
Pedicles
Base of the vertebral arch, attaches to the body
Laminae
Broad, thin plates that are connected to pedicles and spinous process
Transverse process
Project laterally from the pedicle/lamina junction
Spinous process
projects posteriorly from the junction of the lamina
Superior articular process
Superior projection near the pedicle lamina junction
Inferior articular process
Inferior projection from the lamina
Transverse foramina
Holes found in the transverse presses of the cervical vertebrae
Costal Facets
_2 on the body/pedicle junction, 1 on the transverse process _Found only on the thoracic vertebrae
Mammillary
On the posterior tip of the superior articular processes of the lumbar vertebrae
Sacral Promontory
Most superior/anterior point/edge of S1 vertebrae
Anterior/posterior sacral foramina
Separate holes in the sacrum that are in continuity with each other via a canal
Median sacral crest
Ridge with 4 tubercles posterior
Sacral Canal
Anterior to the median sacral crest
Sacral Hiatus
Lack of fusion of the 5th sacral vertebrae, which allows for an inferior opening of the canal
Auricular surface
_Ear-shaped surface on the lateral surface of the sacrum _Articulates with the pelvis
Cornua
_Small horned coccygeal vertebra _Articulates with the sacrum
Atlas
_C1 _No body, no spinous process _Anterior/posterior arches with anterior/posterior tubercles
Axis
_C2 _has a Dens (pivot joint that articulates with the atlas)
Vertebra Prominens
C7 that has a long spinal process that is prominent