vertebrae Flashcards
list the functions of the vertebral column *
support protection movement
what are the regions of the vertebral column *
cervical thoracic lumbar sacral coccygeal
what is one of the commonest muscoskeletal problems
backpain because of disk herniation etc
describe the support and protection element of the vertebral column *
hold body weight
transmit forces - so can damage spine easily eg when jump with straight legs force goes up into the vertebral column - this is made worse at the points where the vertebral column changes direction from anteriorly to posteriorly between lumbar and sacrum
supports the head supports the upper limbs and aids movement by supporting the muscles that are attached to it
also changes intrabdominal and thoracic pressure
houses spinal cord - protective
describe the movement aspect of the function of the vertebral column *
attachment of muscles to the limbs (extrinsic muscles) or within the vertebral column (intrinsic muscle) that allow you to stand up, stiffen spine, maintain upright stability while moving limbs
when is postural control diminished *
stroke back pain spinal cord injury
what are extrinsic muscles *
they come from the vertebral column but extend out of it
what are intrinsic muscles *
go between adjacent vertebrae or vertebrae or ribs
image of all the vertebral sections *
…
where are disk herniations most common *
between lumbar and sacral vertebrae - because there is a sharp change in dirn
describe the curvature of the vertebral column *
start when curled in foetal position - so they’re named depending on whether they were there in foetal development or added in primary curvatures are in the dirn you would expect in a foetus so the concave side facing anteriorly - thoracic and sacral secondary are added in in opposite dirn to allow you to stand upright - concavity facing posteriorly in foetal - everything is curved forward [image]
describe when curvatures of the vertebral column are exaggerated *
in pregnancy - in order to maintain upright stability you lean further back to counter the growth of the baby anteriorly - exaggerate secondary curvature same for obesity this could cause problems with the back because of the extra curvature needed
why does it take muscular activity just to stand upright*
most of the body is hung of the anterior of the vertebral column activate muscles down back of spine and legs just to stand up
describe excessive kyphosis *
excessive thoracic curvature eg in elderly people - due to degenerative changes in the spine over many yrs if vertebral bodies are misshapen spine curves this way to stop them being on top of each other
describe excessive lordosis *
sexual position in 4 legged animals so exaggerated curvature in the lumbar spine resulting from centripetal weight
describe curvatures from the front *
abnormal - it should be straight if curvatures laterally - scoliosis (S shaped curve) - common in females around puberty problem because organs in chest can become compressed when this is severe also causes chronic pain also problem because head needs to be kept upright so pain to do this when you have a curvature
image to show excessive curvatures *
…
treatment of lateral curvatures *
add screws via surgery and putting rods either side - adjust so that the vertebral column is upright less severe cases use a brace
number of bones in each section of the vertebral column *
7 cervical 12 thoracic 5 lumbar 5 sacral (fused) 3-5 coccygeal (fused)
what limits movement of the non-fused vertebrae *
the features of the facets - whether they are orientated vertically or horizontally laxative ligaments but the back as a whole is v flexible - but each unit is not
palpable features of the vertebrae *
spinous processes- posteriorly feel them easier if the person is in the foetal position
features of the cervical vertebrae *
there are additional holes at the sides - where the vertebral arteries travel to get into the brain go into the foramen magnum - these are called foramen transversarium
rectangular bodies - concave superior and convex inferior surfaces
triangular vertebral foramen
bifid spinous process
oblique, relatively horizontal articular facets
perforated transverse process with anterior and posterior tubercles
feature of thoracic vertebrae *
associated ribs and so costal facets (2 on each side of body, 1 on transverse process)
heart shaped bodies
long, strong transverrse processes extending posteriolaterally
circular vertebral foramen - relatively small
nearly verticle articular facets - directed primarily posteriorly and anteriorlu
long and sloping spinous process - overlaps inferior vertebrae
describe a typical vertebrae *
body/centrum - weight baring part - disk between each vertebrae (intervertebral disk) spinous process transverse process space for spinal cord vertebral/neural arch - surround the vertebral column articular facet/process - sticks out and comes into contact with another bit to form a joint [image]
what composes the vertebral arch *
lamina - extend posteriorly to form the spinous process the pedicle - stand on the vertebral body forms roof of the vertebral canal has projections for attachment of muscles and ligaments has sites of articulation for adjacent vertebrae
effect of vertical articular facets *
difficult to turn sideways - they touch against each other can move forward and back
effect of horizontal facets *
more rotation more flexible than vertical
describe intervertebral disks *
water filled structures with cartilage, collagen rings around (anulus fibrosis) and gel in the middle called the nucleus - helps with transmitting forces and allow flexibility between vertebrae overtime loses water - disks become dehydrated so shorter at night because of pressure put on disks through the day [image]
describe degenerative disk disease *
intervertebral foramen get smaller - impinge nerves that come out of the holes to the muscles of body = pain, weakness, changes in sensation, paraesthesia
describe the difference in shape between vertebral bodies from above *
thoracic - heart shaped lumbar - kidney shape, bigger than thoracic cervical -rectangular
atypical vertebrae *
C1 (atlas) and C2 - allow movement if head and neck - more flexibility critically important for injury eg fractured in road traffic accidents