Vertebral anatomy Flashcards
Vertebral bodies of cervical vertebrae
Small bodies
Vertebral foramen of cervical vertebrae
Triangular
Transverse processes of cervical vertebrae
Has a foramen transversarium
Features of the atlas
Supports the skull. Lacks a body and spinous process. Has a large transverse process.
Features of the axis
Odontoid process, large, bifid spinous process. Slightly smaller transverse processes.
Features of C7
Called the vertebral prominens. Has a long spinous process which is not bifurcated and has large transverse processes.
A typical vertebra consists of…
A body, vertebral arch and 7 processes.
Components of the vertebral arch
Pedicles (lateral portions) and lamina (posterior portion)
7 vertebral processes
Transverse (x2), spinous, superior articular process (x2), inferior articular process (x2).
Intervertebral foramen
The gap formed by the spinous processes of two adjoining vertebra
Features of cervical vertebra
Small bodies, bifid spinous process, transverse foramen in the transverse process.
Features of the thoracic vertebra
Larger than cervicals, long and prominent SP with downward angle. Costal facets on the transverse processes and and additional tubercle which articulates with the rib.
Features of lumbar vertebrae
Large vertebral bodies with short, blunt spinous and transverse processes.
Sacrum
Triangular bone formed by 5 fused vertebrae.
Median sacral crest
Formed by the remnants of spinous processes
Lateral sacral crest
Formed by the remnants of the transverse processes.
Sacral promontory
Anterior lip of the base of the sacrum
Auricular surface of the sacrum
Articulates with the ilium
Sacral canal
Passes inferiorly through the sacrum and connects to the sacral foramina.
Coccyx
4 fused very small vertebrae.
Intervertebral disc thickness
Thicker towards the base of the spine. Account for 25% of the total height of the spine.
Components of the intervertebral disc
Annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus.
Nucleus pulposus with age
As it is water-based, it dries out and shrinks.
What happens when the nucleus pulposus pushes out posteriorly?
It can compress the spinal nerves and cause sciatica.
Which vertebral discs usually cause sciatica?
L4/L5 and L5/S1
Zygopophyseal joints
Joints between the superior and inferior articular processes of vertebrae.
Movement of zygopophyseal joints
Are plane/gliding joints with limited mobility.
Movements allowed by the cervical spine
Flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation.
Movements allowed by the thoracic spine
Overalpping spinous processes and the rib cage limit flexion, extension and lateral flexion.
Movements allowed by the lumbar spine
Limited rotation, but can move otherwise.
Movements allowed by the atlanto-occipital joint
Flexion and extension.
Articulations of the atlanto-axial joint
Dens and the anterior arch of the atlas, righ and left articular processes.
Functions of the intervertebral discs
Shock absorption, flexibility, creating lordotic curve, height.
Ligaments of the cervical spine
Anterior and posteior longitudinal ligaments, ligamentum flava, ligamentum nuchae, intertransverse ligaments and interspinous ligaments
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Attahced to the vertebral bodies along the entire anterior spine from occiput to sacrum. Taut during extension.
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Attaches to the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs. Wider over the discs and narrower over the vertebra. Runs occiput to sacrum and is taut during flexion.
Ligamentum flava
Segmental ligament which attaches to the inner aspect of the lamina. Contains the most elastic fibers of all ligaments. Always taut, but most taut during flexion.
Ligamentum nuchae
Attaches tot he nuchal line of the occiput and the spinous processes of C1 to C6. Becomes the supraspinous ligament below C7. Resists excessive flexion
Intertransverse ligaments
Segmental ligaments from transverse process to transcerse process. Taut during flexion and side bending.
Interspinous ligaments
Segmental ligaments from the lateral aspects of spinous processe to spinous process. Taut during flexion and rotation.
Borders of the sub-occipital triangle
Rectus capitis major, obliques capitis inferior and superior.
Structures within the sub-occipital traingle
Vertebral artery and vein and the sub-occipital nerve
