Vertebral Anatomy Flashcards
The dens of C2 articulates with what feature of C1?
Anterior Arch
Where do spinal arteries enter the spinal canal
Intervertebral foramen (formed by the inferior vertebral notch of a superior vertebra and the superior vertebral notch of an inferior vertebra)
Sacral nerve 5 and coccygeal nerve exit where?
sacral hiatus
Where are the primary curvatures of the spine
Thorasic
Sacral
inferior attachment of liagmentum nuchae
spinous process of C7
Where is the attachment of the posterior longitudinal ligament
posterior surface of the vertebral body
What connects the vertebral arch to the vertebral body
Pedicle
Number of vertebra in each section
C:7 T:12: L: 5 S: 5 fused Coccygeal: 4, 3 fused
General features of a vertebra
- Body + Pedicles + lamina = intravertebral foramen, spinous process, transverse processes , superior articular facet, inferior articular facet, vertebral notches to form vertebral canal with interior and superior vertebra
General size trend as you move down the vertebral column
Bodies get larger as you move down the vertebral column
Defining features of Cervical vertebra
- transverse foramen (ALL)
- small body
- bifed spinous process (c3- C6, sometimes 2)
- uncinate process (hooks on superior body)
- facet 45 degrees (transverse and coronal plane)
Defining features of Thorasic vertebra
- Articular facets typically 60 in the coronal plane (upper) and sagittal plane (lower)
- bodies increase in size as you move down
- long downward swooping spinous process (makes it difficult for palpation)
- Costal facets
Defining features of Lumbar vertebra
- Mammillary process
- Accessory process
- Large body
- Broad spine
- Articular Facets are vertical in the sagittal plane
Characteristics of the Sacrum
- Promontory (most anterior part)
- Median sacral crest (4 spines)
- Sacral hiatus
- Anterior and posterior sacral foramina
- Auricular surface
Coccyx
- 4 vertebra (3 fused)
- Cornua
