VERTEBRAE & PECTORAL GRIDLE Flashcards
TOTAL NUMBER OF BONES IN VERTEBRAL COLUMN
INFANT= 33-34 BONES
ADULT 26 BONES
CERVICAL VERTEBRAE
Cervical vertebrae are the smallest of the vertebral types.
They contain transverse foramina, which allow passage of the
vertebral arteries.
Atlas ‐ Cl modified to articulate with the occipital condyle, does not have a spinous process or body
Axis ‐ C2 ‐ acts as a pivot as in turning head from side to side, gesturing “no”. has a dens or odontoid process. The transverse ligament holds the dens in position against the atlas so that
rotation can occur.
C7 is called the vertebrae prominens since it is easily palpable.
All the cervical spinous processes are bifid except C7.
ATLAS-C1
modified to articulate with the occipital condyle, does
not have a spinous process or body
-CERVICAL VERTEBRAE
Axis ‐ C2
acts as a pivot as in turning head from side to side,
gesturing “no”. has a dens or odontoid process. The transverse
ligament holds the dens in position against the atlas so that
rotation can occur
-CERVICAL VERTEBRAE
C7
called the vertebrae prominens since it is easily palpable.
All the cervical spinous processes are bifid except C7.
-CERVICAL VERTEBRAE
THORACIC VERTEBRAE
Articulate with the ribs
These vertebrae are larger than cervical but smaller than lumbar vertebrae
Have elongated transverse processes for articulation with the ribs.
Have elongated downward pointing spinous processes
LUMBAR VERTEBRAE
These are the largest and strongest individual vertebrae.
The spinous process points straight out rather than downward and in general are blunt, large processes
L4 and L5 allow the most motion.
Most disk injuries occur between L4‐L5 and L5‐S1, the area of the lumbosacral junction.
Since the lumbar vertebrae bear the most weight, a compression injury to the vertebrae or to the intervertebral discs most often occurs in this region.
SACRAL VERTEBRAE
5 bones fused into one unit. Usually fused by ages 25‐30.
Sacral nerves exit through the foramen while the filum terminale continues down through the sacral canal to anchor at the coccyx.
The sacrum is wedged between the iliac bones i.e. sacroiliac
joint.
COCCYX
3‐5 bones (most commonly 4) fused into one unit.
Commonly called the tailbone.
BODY
Rounded weight bearing portion of the vertebra, faces anterior in
the spinal column
-STRUCTURE OF THE INDIVIDUAL VERTEBRAE
VERTEBRAL FORAMEN (NEURAL CANAL)
Large opening in the vertebra in which the spinal cord passes
through
-STRUCTURE OF INDIVIDUAL VERTEBRAE
PEDICLES
Between the lamina and the body
Short bony pillars projecting posteriorly from the body.
Together with the lamina, form the vertebral arch
-STRUCTURE OF INDIVIDUAL VERTEBRAE
LAMINAE
Flattened plates and complete the vertebral arch posteriorly
-STRUCTURE OF THE INDIVIDUAL VERTEBRAE
TRANSVERSE PROCESSES
Two lateral projections, for muscle attachment
-STRUCTURE OF INDIVIDUAL VERTEBRAE
SPINOUS PROCESS
Single projection, projects posteriorly.
Can be felt under skin as ‘backbone.’
For muscle attachment
-STRUCTURE OF INDIVIDUAL VERTEBRAE
TRANSVERSE FORAMEN
Observed only in cervical vertebrae
Provide passage for the vertebral artery and vein (going to and from the brain)
-STRUCTURE OF INDIVIDUAL VERTEBRAE
SUPERIOR ARTICULATING PROCESS
has a site called the superior articulating facet that articulates with
the inferior articulating facet of the vertebra superior to it
-STRUCTURE OF INDIVIDUAL VERTEBRAE
INFERIOR ARTICULATING PROCESS
has a site called the inferior articulating facet that articulates with
the superior articulating facet of the vertebra inferior to it
o The superior and inferior articulating facets join together (articulate) and create the
intervertebral foreman in which the spinal pass through. You can see this on the
models in the lab
-STRUCTURE OF INDIVIDUAL VERTEBRAE
INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS
Fibrocartilaginous discs between two vertebrae
It is essentially a fluid, malleable, cushion between vertebrae
Not present between atlas and axis
Not present between the sacral and coccygeal bones
¼ length of vertebral column above the sacrum
-STRUCTURE OF INDIVIDUAL VERTEBRAE
RIB CAGE
The ribs have heads with 2 facets for articulating with the thoracic vertebrae.
2. 7 pairs of true ribs ‐ attached by costal cartilage to the sternum
3. 3 pairs of false ribs ‐ attached by costal cartilage to costal cartilage of the 7th rib
4. 2 pairs of floating ribs ‐ the inferior 2 pairs of ribs. Do not attach anteriorly.
6. The space between the ribscan be increased during surgery by rib spreaders since the ribs and the costal cartilage are somewhat flexible. If more space is required, the cartilages are cut against the sternum and the entire sternum can be folded out of the way. Once repositioned, the cartilages are reunited by scar tissue and the ribs heal quite quickly.
8. The 3rd to the 7th ribs are fractured more frequently since they are more exposed.
9. If a rib is fractured and makes a hole into the pleural cavity, it causes a pneumothorax
INTERCOSTAL SPACES
between the ribs and filled with intercostal muscles (external
and internal intercostals), intercostal nerves go to these muscles which are involved
with respiration.
COSTA
MEANS RIBS
STERNUM
The sternum, commonly referred to as the breastbone, is three bones fused together into one flat bone.
The sternum is attached to the first seven pairs of ribs via costal cartilage.
SUPRASTERNAL NOTCH/JUGULAR NOTCH
ON THE MANUBRIUM
-STERNUM