Vertebrae and Atlanto-Axial Joint Flashcards
How many vertebrae in the spinal column
26
24+sacrum+coccyx
Describe the different areas of the vertebral column
• 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
What are the 2 naturally occuring curves in the vertebral column
– LORDOTIC (in lumbar region)
– KYPHOTIC (in upper thoracic lower cervical regions)
What is Lumbar Lordosis and name some of the characteristics of it
- exaggerationofthelumbar curve
- associatedw/weakened abdominals (relative to extensors)
- characterizedbylowback pain
What is Thoracic Kyphosis and name some of the characteristics of it
• exaggerated thoracic curve • occurs more frequently than lordosis • mechanism--vertebra becomes wedge shaped • causes a person to“hunch over”
What is Scoliosis and name some of the characteristics of it
• 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
Name the different parts of a typical vertebra and the role of each part
– Body: Anterior part, transmits weight
– Vertebral Arch: posterior to the body, surrounds vertebral canal
– Transverse and Spinous processes: Sites for muscle and ligament attachment
What is the hole in the vertebral arch called
Vertebral foramen
What are the intervertebral disks and say what their role is
Shock absorber of the spine
role is to bear and distribute loads in vertebral column and restrain excessive motion in vertebral segment
What are the 2 regions of the vertebral disk
Nucleus Pulposus - mostly water
Annulus Fibrosus - mostly collagen
Why is it so hard for damaged discs to heal
The discs are avascular and aneural
How does a disc’s integrity decrease with age
Loses ability to retain water in the disc. Ability to distribute load across the disc changes
What is a herniated disc and why does it cause numbness/pain
This is when the nucleus pulposus protrudes out from between the vertebrae, this impinges the nerves and leads to numbness/pain
What is the Ligamentum flavum
Ligaments that connect the adjacent vertebrae
What are the supra and interspinous ligaments
Supraspinous - spans the spinous processes, the most dorsal spinal ligament
Interspinous - between spinal processes and resists shear and forwards bending of spine
What is the anterior longitudinal ligament
a strong band that joins the vertebral bodies together on the anterior side
What is the posterior longitudinal ligament
A weaker and narrower band that spans the posterior sides of there vertebral bodies
What is the ligament flava
Elastic bands that next the laminae
Describe the properties of the erector spinae muscles
Versatile muscles that can generate rapid force yet are fatigue resistant
List and point out the erector spinae muscles if possible
Longissimus Spinalis iliocostalis? Cervicis Thoracis Lumborum
List and point out the semispinalis (but actually spinalis muscles??)
Spinalis capitis
Spinalis cervicis
Spinalis thoracis
List and try point out the deep posterior muscles
Intertransversarius
Interspinales
Multifidus
Rotatores
How are the C1 and C2 vertebrae also referred to
C1 = Atlas C2 = Axis
What are the characteristics of the Atlas (C1) vertebrae
– 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
What are the characteristics of the Axis (C2) vertebrae
– Dens projects superiorly into the anterior arch of the atlas
– Dens is a pivot for the rotation of the atlas
What is the dens on the Axis (C2)
It is a superior projection from that connects to the atlas C1
The Atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial joints responsible for
Atlanto-occipital = nodding atlantoaxial = rotation
What can cause pain in whiplash
Strains posterior ligaments
7th cervical vertebra is likely to fracture
