vertebral column 1 - part 2

Question 1

Posterior elements:

Answer 1

1. Articular processes
2. Spinous process
3. Transverse processes

Question 2

Posterior elements:

Answer 2

Articular processes
Inferior articular processes hook onto the superior articular processes of the
vertebra below:
Depending on - the orientation of the articular facets
Or - the height of the superior articular processes they may resist forward sliding and/or rotation of the upper vertebra
* alignment is diff. in diff. regions

Question 3

The role of the zygapophysial joints in resisting movements:

Answer 3

Superior articular facets aligned in the coronal plane resist anterior translation of the superior vertebra - in coronal plane resist flx/ext
even more so the more vertical they are.
* Superior articular facets aligned in the sagittal plane resist axial rotation of the superior vertebra
- superior articular processes blocks flx

Question 4

The role of the zygapophysial joints in resisting movements: cervical c3-7

Answer 4

almost coronal orientation 45˚ to transverse

allows all mvmt

Question 5

The role of the zygapophysial joints in resisting movements: thoracic

Answer 5

almost coronal orientation
‘tall’ superior articular process
60-800 to transverse (more vertical than Cx)
allows axial rotation and lateral flx

Question 6

The role of the zygapophysial joints in resisting movements: lumbar

Answer 6

Sagittal plane orientation
vertical
allows flx and ext.

Question 7

cervical

Answer 7

most mobile in all 3 mvmrs:
flx/ext, lateral flx and axial rotation
cause of alignment of zyg. points, height of vertebrae and disc

Question 8

thoracic

Answer 8

better for axial rotation
as low vertebral disc height and rib cage
longer spinous processes than lumbar

Question 9

lumbar

Answer 9

more mid lumbar

The lumbar facet joints allow for significant flexion and extension movement but limits rotation.

Question 10

Posterior elements:

Answer 10

1. Articular processes

Under compression +/- extension weight can be transferred through inferior articular processes to the lamina below

Question 11

Pars interarticularis

Answer 11

lamina between articular processes

Question 12

vertebrae dog

Answer 12

Ear = superior articular process Nose = transverse process
Front leg = inferior articular process Neck = pars interarticularis
Body = spinous process

Question 13

Pars interarticularis fracture:

Answer 13

Inferior articular process impacts lamina below = force transfer through posterior elements Extension!

Question 14

Muscles attach to the spinous and transverse processes:

Answer 14

Create bending & shearing forces
Fan-shaped trabeculae spanning between the vertebral body and the posterior elements.
* muscles pull on them to move vertebrae so need strong pedicles for force transfer and don’t get breakdown

Question 15

pedicle

Answer 15

Increased density of compact bone near the base of the pedicles

Question 16

vertebral ligaments during movement

Answer 16

limit movement - end range mvmt
* posterior 2 COR - when it lengthens = collagen tightens and resist end range flx
sensory feedback

Question 17

supraspinous lig

Answer 17

• most effective in limitting flx. because has longest MA

- furtherest from axis and vertical collagen alignment

Question 18

vertebral ligaments

Answer 18

anterior longitudinal ligament
posterior longitudinal ligament
ligamentum flavum
interspinous ligament
supraspinous ligament

Question 19

LIGAMENTUM FLAVUM

Answer 19

paired, thick, segmental, elastic ligaments
Form the:
• posterior wall of the vertebral canal &
• anterior capsule of zygapophyseal joints

Question 20

longitudinal lig. during mvmt - flx

Answer 20

anterior long. lig = compressed

post. long. lig = stretched

Question 21

longitudinal lig. during mvmt - ext

Answer 21

post long. lig = slack

anterior. long. lig = stretched

Question 22

Interspinous ligaments: direction of fibres & shear forces

Answer 22

oblique fibre orientation anterior / inferior
* different layers
from 1 spinous process > nxt spinous processes
resist posterior shear of superior vertebrae

Question 23

Interspinous ligaments: during flx

Answer 23

combine anterior rotation with anterior translation
- keeps z joints in contact
resist posterior shear of superior vertebra
* during flx, spinous process moves upwards which tightens interspinous fibres and then translate superior vertebrae anteriorly which keeps z joints in contact.