Vertebral Column Flashcards
How many vertebra are in the lumbar spine?
5
How many vertebra are in the thoracic spine?
12
How many vertebra are in the cervical spine?
7
What joints are C1 - occiput “atlantio-occipital”
Synovial condylar
What joints are C1-C2 - lateral masses “atlantio-axial”?
Synovial plantar
What joints are C1-C2 - peg “atlantio-axial”?
synovial pivot
What joints are for ribs?
Synovial plane
Atlas is c what?
C1
Axis is c what?
C2
Cervical Rib
A cervical rib is an extra rib that forms above the first rib, growing from the base of the neck just above the collarbone. You can have a cervical rib on the right, left, or on both sides. It may be a fully formed bony rib or just a thin strand of tissue fibres.
Torticollis
Torticollis is a problem involving the muscles of the neck that causes the head to tilt down.
Kyphosis
Kyphosis is defined as a curvature of the spine measuring 50 degrees or greater on an X-ray
Lordosis
Lordosis is the inward curve of the lumbar spine
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is when the vertebrae form a curved line instead of being straight
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is when a baby’s spine and spinal cord does not develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine.
Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect. The neural tube is the structure that eventually develops into the baby’s brain and spinal cord.
Prolapse of an Intervertebral Disc
A prolapsed (herniated) disc occurs when the outer fibres of the intervertebral disc are injured, and the soft material known as the nucleus pulposus, ruptures out of its enclosed space.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a so-called mechanical condition characterized by the gradual wearing down of cartilage in the joints.
What is Spondylosis?
Spondylosis describes the general degeneration of the spine that can occur in joints, discs, and bones of the spine as we age.
Spondylolysis
Spondylolysis is a stress fracture through the pars interarticularis of the lumbar vertebrae. The pars interarticularis is a thin bone segment joining two vertebrae. It is the most likely area to be affected by repetitive stress.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is where one of the bones in your spine, known as a vertebra, slips out of position. It’s most common in the lower back
Ankylosis
ankylosis, in medicine, stiffness of a joint as the result of injury or disease. The rigidity may be complete or partial and may be due to inflammation of the tendinous or muscular structures outside the joint or of the tissues of the joint itself.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the bones in the spine (vertebrae) to fuse. This fusing makes the spine less flexible and can result in a hunched posture. If ribs are affected, it can be difficult to breathe deeply.
AP Lumbar Spine
100/115cm SID
T12 superiorly & Sacro-iliac joints (SIJs) inferiorly.
To include lateral borders of SIJs.
Lateral Lumbar Spine
lateral decubitus position
100/115 cm SID.
third lumbar spinous process of L3 and at the level of the lower costal margins
Upper border of T12 superiorly, to the ASISs inferiorly.
Lateral L5-S1 Open lumbosacral joint
Centre 5cm posterior to ASIS and 4cm inferior to iliac crest
Collimate to include L5 to upper sacrum, lumbar bodies and spinous processes
AP Thoracic spine
C7 superiorly (just below the prominence of the thyroid cartilage). L1 inferiorly (midway between sternal notch and symphysis pubis. VCR in the midline,2.5 cms inferior to the sternal angle.
Lateral Thoracic Spine
VCR centre in the mid-axillary line, 5cm anterior to the spinous process of T6/T7 which is level with the palpable inferior angle of the scapula on the posterior aspect.
Superiorly the upper border of C7. L1 inferiorly. To include all posterior spinous process and anterior borders of all Thoracic vertebral bodies.
AP Cervical Spine 3 - 7
Horizontal central ray with a 5-10 degree cranial angulation, centred in the midline just below the prominence of the thyroid cartilage
Superior collimator at the level of the lower lip. Inferior collimator just below the level of the sternal notch. Lateral soft tissue borders.
AP Cervical Spine 1&2
or Open Mouth or Peg
Horizontal central ray, centred in the midline of the open mouth.
Superior collimator at the level of the upper lip. Inferior collimator just below the lower lip. Laterally, the side of the mouth.
Lateral Cervical Spine
Horizontal central ray centre to a point vertically below the mastoid process, at the level of the prominence of the thyroid cartilage.
To include the superior end of the pinna (top of the ear), and inferiorly level with the sternal angle. Anterior and posterior soft tissue borders.
180cm SID. Direct with no grid due to air gap
Lateral Cervical Spine
Horizontal central ray centre to a point vertically below the mastoid process, at the level of the prominence of the thyroid cartilage.
To include the superior end of the pinna (top of the ear), and inferiorly level with the sternal angle. Anterior and posterior soft tissue borders.
180cm SID. Direct with no grid due to air gap
Sacrum
Formed by fusion of 5 sacral vertebrae
Apex – where the coccyx articulates
Base – articulates with L5 superiorly
Auricular surfaces – located laterally on the sacrum and forms the SIJs
Anterior and posterior surfaces – provide attachment to pelvic ligaments and muscles
COCCYX
4 fused vertebrae form the coccyx
Base articulates with the sacrum superiorly
The base is located most superiorly, and contains a facet for articulation with the sacrum
The apex is situated inferiorly, at the terminus of the vertebral column.
The lateral surfaces of the coccyx are marked by a small transverse process
The coccyx articulates with the sacrum at a fibrocartilaginous joint called the sacrococcygeal symphysis. Movement here is limited to minor flexion and extension which occurs passively, for example during defecation and labour.
