VERTEBRAE and VERTEBRAL COLUMN

Question 1

spinal column

Answer 1

26 bone segments arranged in 5 divisions from base of skull to the tailbone

Question 2

intervertebral disks

Answer 2

pads of cartilage separating the vertebrae to provide flexibility and absorb shock

Question 3

spinal disk herniation

Answer 3

a disk tears so that a portion bulges out into the neural canal

Question 4

neural canal

Answer 4

a space in the vertebra through which the spinal cord passes

Question 5

vertebral body

Answer 5

thick, round, front part of a vertebra

Question 6

vertebral arch

Answer 6

back of the vertebra

Question 7

spinous process

Answer 7

single process at the back of each vertebra

Question 8

transverse processes

Answer 8

a process on each side of the spinous process

Question 9

lamina

Answer 9

process in the shape of a bar connecting each transverse process with the spinous process

Question 10

facet joints

Answer 10

connect the vertebrae to each other

Question 11

spinal stenosis

Answer 11

inflamed and arthritic facet joints leading to narrowing of the neural canal

Question 12

5 divisions of vertebral column

Answer 12

cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, coccyx

Question 13

cervical vertebrae

Answer 13

7 vertebrae; do not join with the ribs

Question 14

thoracic vertebrae

Answer 14

12 vertebrae; join to 12 pairs of ribs

Question 15

lumbar vertebrae

Answer 15

5 vertebrae; do not join with ribs; largest and strongest of the vertebrae

Question 16

sacral vertebrae

Answer 16

sacrum; 5 separate bones that fuse in childhood

Question 17

coccyx

Answer 17

4 bones fused together

Question 18

4 curves of the vertebral column

Answer 18

cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral