Vertebral Column Flashcards
Which vertebrae correspond with the neck and how many are there?
7 cervical vertebrae (C1-C7)
Which vertebrae correspond with the chest/ribcage and how many are there?
12 thoracic (T1-T12)
Which vertebrae correspond with the lower back and how many are there?
5 lumbar (L1-L5)
Which vertebrae correspond the the tailbones and how many are there? What is unique about them?
5 sacral (1-5)
3-5 coccygeal (1-4)
Unique: they are fused
What is the typical number of vertebrae in a human?
33, can range 32-34.
How many normal curvatures are in the sagittal plane in adults?
4
What are the primary curvatures and when do they develop and why?
Kyphosis, originate in fetal development in all vertebrates bc of the way we develop around the yolk sac.
Thoracic and sacral
What are the secondary curvatures and when do they develop and why?
Lordosis, develop in early postnatal growth, unique to humans
Cervical and lumbar
Keep body’s center of mass aligned over the feet
What are the 2 causes of abnormal curvatures in the spine?
Birth and wear and tear
Name and explain 4 abnormal curvatures.
Cervical kyphosis: Reversed cervical curve
Thoracic kyphosis: rounded upper back
Lumbar lordosis: arched lower back
Scoliosis: crooked spine
Name the 9 elements of a typical vertebra.
Vertebral body
Superior articular process
Transverse process (junction between pedicle and lamina)
Inferior articular process
Vertebral/neural arch
spinous process
vertebral foramen
pedicle
lamina
Where does the spinal cord pass through and exit through?
Passes through vertebral foramina and exits through intervertebral foramen.
Which vertebrae have the bifid spinous process?
Cervical
Which vertebrae has a large triangular vertebral foramen and what is it’s purpose?
Cervical. It allows for the vertebral artery to pass safely.
Which vertebrae contains the transverse foramina?
Cervical
Which vertebrae have an uncinate process? Be specific.
Cervical (C3-C7)
Which cervical vertebraes are exceptions? What 2 elements do they have that the others don’t.
C1: atlas
- supports the head
C2: Axis
- allows for rotation of head
Which vertebrae have a circular vertebral foramen and a heart-shaped vertebral body?
Thoracic
Which vertebrae have facets for rib attachments and long, narrow, sloped spinous process?
Thoracic.
Which vertebrae have a small triangular vertebral foramen and kidney shaped vertebral body?
Lumbar
Which vertebrae have a short, wide spinous process and a small transverse process?
Lumbar
Which vertebrae are fused?
Sacrum and coccyx
Which vertebrae have ala?
Sacrum
What is the lateral sacral crest?
Fusion of transverse processes
Which vertebrae has the sacral hiatus and what exits through there?
Coccyx, spinal nerves exit through here.
Name the 5 joints of the vertebral column.
- Atlanto-occipital
- Atlanto-axial
- Uncovertebral
- Intervertebral joints
5.Zygapophyseal joints
Where is the atlanto-occipital joint located?
Between atlas and skull.
Where is the atlanto-axial joint located?
Between C1 and C2
Where are the uncovertebral joints located? What is their nickname?
Between uncinate processes of C3-C7
aka Joints of luschka
Where are the intervertebral joints located?
Between vertebral bodies.
Where are the zygapophyseal joints located?
Between superior and inferior articular facets of vertebrae.
Name the 2 supporting ligaments of the atlanto-occipital joint?
Tectotial membrane and posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
What is the function of the atlanto-occipital joint?
Head flexion/extension, minimal lateral flexion/extension, axial rotation
What is the purpose of the transverse ligament of the atlanto-axial joint?
Encircls the den and keeps it against the anterior arch of C1 and turns that articulation into a pivot joint.
Name the 3 articulations of the atlanto-axial joint?
Dens, anterior arch, articular processes
Which joints have the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposis?
Intervertebral and uncovertebral
Classify the intervertebral joint.
Solid –> symphysis joint (bone-fibrocartilage-bone)
What is the function of the uncovertebral joint?
Guide flexion/extension of cervical spine
Limits lateral flexion
True synovial joints (gliding)
Classify the zygapophyseal joint.
Synovial, plane/gliding
Name and locate the 3 spines of the zygapophyseal joints.
Cervical spine, transverse
Thoracic spine, coronal
Lumbar spine, sagittal
What are the functions of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines?
Cervical: axial rotation, some F/E
Thoracic spine: axial rotation, some F/E, lateral F/E
Lumbar: lateral F/E, some F/E
What are 2 jobs of the ligaments?
Reinforce joints and keep motions in check.
