Vertebral Column Flashcards
There are ____ bones that run from the ____ to the _____.
They are linked by
There are 33 bones that run from the skull to the pelvis and they are linked by a series of ligaments
primary function of the vertebral column
- protection for the spinal cord
- support for and movement of the trunk (ex: rounding back)
- site for muscle attachments and lever for muscle mechanical advantage
cervical vertebrae
- C1 to C7
- C1 nerve exits above the C1 vertebra - between the skull and the C1
- C2 to C8 exits below the vertebral body above
where would C3 nerve exit from in reference to the vertebrae
C3 nerve would exit from below C2 vertebrae
How many vertebral bodies + where does each spinal nerve exit from in the following
Thoracic vertebrae
Lumbar vertebrae
Sacrum
T1 to T12
L1 to L5
S1 to S5
each spinal nerve exits below the same numbered vertebrae
where would the T5 spinal nerve exit from?
It would exit from below the T5 vertebrae
which fetal vertebral column regions are maintained
the thoracic and the sacrococcygeal (sacrum)
primary curvature vs secondary curvature
when do these develop?
primary curvature = concave anteriorly and convex posteriorly
-developed in the fetus
secondary curvature = convex anteriorly
- cervical curve appears when infant begins to support it’s head
- lumbar curve appears when child begins to walk upright = helps balance trunk on the pelvis
Components of a typical vertebrae + their functions
vertebral body = weight bearing part of the vertebrae
pedicles + lamina = attach to the vertebral body (they meet at the midline to form this arch)
vertebral foramen = surround the body anteriorly, and the arch posteriorly
vertebral canal
in a vertical series = the vertebral foramen form a vertebral canal which houses and protects the spinal cord
lateral view - label anterior/ posterior sides as well
each vertebra has two superior and two inferior articular processes
– articular processes contain articular facets
these are still components of a typical vertebra
zygapophysial joints
the facets one vertebra articulates with the facets of an adjacent vertebra (above or below) and form these joints
also known as a facet joint
these are still components of a typical vertebra
bilateral view
two superior and two inferior vertebral notches
the inferior vertebral notches of a superior vertebra PLUS the superior vertebra notches of an inferior vertebra form the intervertebral (IV) foramen
the intervertebral (IV) foramen
the inferior vertebral notches of a superior vertebra PLUS the superior vertebra notches of an inferior vertebra
Cervical Vertebrae
vertebral body
smaller body, wider across mediolaterally
Cervical Vertebrae
vertebral foramen
large and triangular in shape
Cervical Vertebrae
Transverse Processes
short and give rise to a
- anterior and posterior tubercle (for muscle attachment)
Cervical Vertebrae
Anterior and Posterior Tubercle
for muscle attachments
- attached to cervicle transverse processes
Cervical Vertebrae
Transverse foramen
present for passage of vertebral artery (important arterial supply to the brain)
Cervical Vertebrae
articular facets
short and oriented between front and horizontal planes
– allows for large amounts of motion
– including flexion/ extension at the sagittal plane, horizontal rotation, and flexion/ side bend
Cervical Vertebrae
spinous processes
short and bifid
– divided by a notch = two parts
Thoracic Vertebrae
Vertebral Body
heart shaped body
– about as wide mediolaterally as it is deep anteroposteriorly
Thoracic Vertebrae
Vertebral Foramen
Round
Thoracic Vertebrae
Costal Facets
present on the vertebral bodies and transverse processes for articulation with head and neck of the ribs
superior and inferior articular facets = coronal plane
– this allows for flexion/extension, horizontal rotation, lateral flexion
superior = posterior; inferior = anterior
Thoracic Vertebrae
Spinous Processes
long and project inferiorly
they overlap over each = limit hyperextension
Lumbar
Vertebral Body
Large body, kidney shaped
– wider mediolaterally
– narrower anteroposteriorly
Lumbar
Vertebral Foramen
triangle shaped, SMALL
Lumbar
Superior Facets vs Inferior Facets
superior = face posteromedially
inferior = face anterolaterally
Lumbar
Mammillary Processes
project from posterior surface of the superior articular processes
– site of muscle attachment for deep back muscles (multifidi)
Lumbar
Accessory Processes
located at posteroinferior aspect of root of transverse processes
– site of muscle attachment for deep back muscles (intertransverse)
Lumbar
the superior and inferior facets project ____
vertically
they are oriented in the sagittal plane
Orientation of lumbar articular facets allows for
sagittal plane flexion and extension
lumbar facet orientation limits
horizontal rotation
– after a few degrees of rotation the inferior articular facet of the superior vertebra abuts the superior articular facet of the inferior vertebrae
C1
Atlas
- lacks a spinous a body + spinous process
- consists of an anterior arch, posterior arch, and lateral mass
- has concave superior articular facets = elongated anteroposteriorly for articulation with occipital condyles of the skull
- inferior aritcular facets that articulate with the axis
- flexion and extension = facilitated between ocipital condyles and C1 vertebrae
C2
Axis
– has “dens” = project superiorly to articulate with the very small body of the atlas
– atlas pivots or tilts about the dens during motion and facilitates cervical rotation
Sacral Vertebrae
5 sacral vertebrae
– fuse together to form sacrum = transmit weight of upper body to lower limb
Coccygeal Vertebrae
four small vertebrae fuse into a triangular shaped bone called the coccyx
= base of the coccyx articulates with the apex of the sacrum
sacral promontory
– anterior edge of S1 vertebrae called
Sacral Vertebrae - Why large articular facet on lateral sides?
these provide auricular surfaces for articulation with ilia of os coxae or coxal bones
Sacral canal
protects cauda equina of the spinal cord
cadua equina (roots of the lumbar and sacral spinal nerves, which form a bundle within the lowest part of the spinal column)
Sacral Haitus
failure of the last sacral segment to fuse posteriorly results in this normal gap
