Vertebrae and Atlanto-Axial Joint

Question 1

How many vertebrae in the spinal column

Answer 1

26

24+sacrum+coccyx

Question 2

Describe the different areas of the vertebral column

Answer 2

• Cervical vertebrae (7)—vertebrae of the neck
• Thoracic vertebrae (12)—vertebrae of the
thoracic cage
• Lumbar vertebrae (5)—vertebra of the lower back
• Sacrum (fused vertebrae) —bone inferior to the lumbar vertebrae
• Coccyx (fused vertebrae) —terminus of vertebral column

Question 3

What are the 2 naturally occuring curves in the vertebral column

Answer 3

– LORDOTIC (in lumbar region)

– KYPHOTIC (in upper thoracic lower cervical regions)

Question 4

What is Lumbar Lordosis and name some of the characteristics of it

Answer 4

• exaggerationofthelumbar curve
• associatedw/weakened abdominals (relative to extensors)
• characterizedbylowback pain

Question 5

What is Thoracic Kyphosis and name some of the characteristics of it

Answer 5

• exaggerated thoracic curve
• occurs more frequently than
lordosis
• mechanism--vertebra becomes wedge shaped
• causes a person to“hunch over”

Question 6

What is Scoliosis and name some of the characteristics of it

Answer 6

• lateral deviation of the spinal column
• can be a ‘C’ or ‘S’ shape
• involves the thoracic and/or
lumbar regions
• associated w/disease, leg length abnormalities, muscular imbalances
• more prevalent in females

Question 7

Name the different parts of a typical vertebra and the role of each part

Answer 7

– Body: Anterior part, transmits weight
– Vertebral Arch: posterior to the body, surrounds vertebral canal
– Transverse and Spinous processes: Sites for muscle and ligament attachment

Question 8

What is the hole in the vertebral arch called

Answer 8

Vertebral foramen

Question 9

What are the intervertebral disks and say what their role is

Answer 9

Shock absorber of the spine

role is to bear and distribute loads in vertebral column and restrain excessive motion in vertebral segment

Question 10

What are the 2 regions of the vertebral disk

Answer 10

Nucleus Pulposus - mostly water

Annulus Fibrosus - mostly collagen

Question 11

Why is it so hard for damaged discs to heal

Answer 11

The discs are avascular and aneural

Question 12

How does a disc’s integrity decrease with age

Answer 12

Loses ability to retain water in the disc. Ability to distribute load across the disc changes

Question 13

What is a herniated disc and why does it cause numbness/pain

Answer 13

This is when the nucleus pulposus protrudes out from between the vertebrae, this impinges the nerves and leads to numbness/pain

Question 14

What is the Ligamentum flavum

Answer 14

Ligaments that connect the adjacent vertebrae

Question 15

What are the supra and interspinous ligaments

Answer 15

Supraspinous - spans the spinous processes, the most dorsal spinal ligament
Interspinous - between spinal processes and resists shear and forwards bending of spine

Question 16

What is the anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 16

a strong band that joins the vertebral bodies together on the anterior side

Question 17

What is the posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 17

A weaker and narrower band that spans the posterior sides of there vertebral bodies

Question 18

What is the ligament flava

Answer 18

Elastic bands that next the laminae

Question 19

Describe the properties of the erector spinae muscles

Answer 19

Versatile muscles that can generate rapid force yet are fatigue resistant

Question 20

List and point out the erector spinae muscles if possible

Answer 20

Longissimus
Spinalis
iliocostalis?
Cervicis 
Thoracis
Lumborum

Question 21

List and point out the semispinalis (but actually spinalis muscles??)

Answer 21

Spinalis capitis
Spinalis cervicis
Spinalis thoracis

Question 22

List and try point out the deep posterior muscles

Answer 22

Intertransversarius
Interspinales
Multifidus
Rotatores

Question 23

How are the C1 and C2 vertebrae also referred to

Answer 23

C1 = Atlas
C2 = Axis

Question 24

What are the characteristics of the Atlas (C1) vertebrae

Answer 24

– No body or spinous process
– Consists of anterior and posterior arches, and two lateral masses
– Superior surfaces of lateral masses articulate with the occipital condyles

Question 25

What are the characteristics of the Axis (C2) vertebrae

Answer 25

– Dens projects superiorly into the anterior arch of the atlas
– Dens is a pivot for the rotation of the atlas

Question 26

What is the dens on the Axis (C2)

Answer 26

It is a superior projection from that connects to the atlas C1

Question 27

The Atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial joints responsible for

Answer 27

Atlanto-occipital = nodding
atlantoaxial = rotation

Question 28

What can cause pain in whiplash

Answer 28

Strains posterior ligaments

7th cervical vertebra is likely to fracture