Vertebral Column

Question 1

Which vertebrae correspond with the neck and how many are there?

Answer 1

7 cervical vertebrae (C1-C7)

Question 2

Which vertebrae correspond with the chest/ribcage and how many are there?

Answer 2

12 thoracic (T1-T12)

Question 3

Which vertebrae correspond with the lower back and how many are there?

Answer 3

5 lumbar (L1-L5)

Question 4

Which vertebrae correspond the the tailbones and how many are there? What is unique about them?

Answer 4

5 sacral (1-5)
3-5 coccygeal (1-4)
Unique: they are fused

Question 5

What is the typical number of vertebrae in a human?

Answer 5

33, can range 32-34.

Question 6

How many normal curvatures are in the sagittal plane in adults?

Answer 6

4

Question 7

What are the primary curvatures and when do they develop and why?

Answer 7

Kyphosis, originate in fetal development in all vertebrates bc of the way we develop around the yolk sac.
Thoracic and sacral

Question 8

What are the secondary curvatures and when do they develop and why?

Answer 8

Lordosis, develop in early postnatal growth, unique to humans
Cervical and lumbar
Keep body’s center of mass aligned over the feet

Question 9

What are the 2 causes of abnormal curvatures in the spine?

Answer 9

Birth and wear and tear

Question 10

Name and explain 4 abnormal curvatures.

Answer 10

Cervical kyphosis: Reversed cervical curve
Thoracic kyphosis: rounded upper back
Lumbar lordosis: arched lower back
Scoliosis: crooked spine

Question 11

Name the 9 elements of a typical vertebra.

Answer 11

Vertebral body
Superior articular process
Transverse process (junction between pedicle and lamina)
Inferior articular process
Vertebral/neural arch
spinous process
vertebral foramen
pedicle
lamina

Question 12

Where does the spinal cord pass through and exit through?

Answer 12

Passes through vertebral foramina and exits through intervertebral foramen.

Question 13

Which vertebrae have the bifid spinous process?

Answer 13

Cervical

Question 14

Which vertebrae has a large triangular vertebral foramen and what is it’s purpose?

Answer 14

Cervical. It allows for the vertebral artery to pass safely.

Question 15

Which vertebrae contains the transverse foramina?

Answer 15

Cervical

Question 16

Which vertebrae have an uncinate process? Be specific.

Answer 16

Cervical (C3-C7)

Question 17

Which cervical vertebraes are exceptions? What 2 elements do they have that the others don’t.

Answer 17

C1: atlas
- supports the head
C2: Axis
- allows for rotation of head

Question 18

Which vertebrae have a circular vertebral foramen and a heart-shaped vertebral body?

Answer 18

Thoracic

Question 19

Which vertebrae have facets for rib attachments and long, narrow, sloped spinous process?

Answer 19

Thoracic.

Question 20

Which vertebrae have a small triangular vertebral foramen and kidney shaped vertebral body?

Answer 20

Lumbar

Question 21

Which vertebrae have a short, wide spinous process and a small transverse process?

Answer 21

Lumbar

Question 22

Which vertebrae are fused?

Answer 22

Sacrum and coccyx

Question 23

Which vertebrae have ala?

Answer 23

Sacrum

Question 24

What is the lateral sacral crest?

Answer 24

Fusion of transverse processes

Question 25

Which vertebrae has the sacral hiatus and what exits through there?

Answer 25

Coccyx, spinal nerves exit through here.

Question 26

Name the 5 joints of the vertebral column.

Answer 26

1. Atlanto-occipital 2. Atlanto-axial 3. Uncovertebral 4. Intervertebral joints 5. Zygapophyseal joints

Question 27

Where is the atlanto-occipital joint located?

Answer 27

Between atlas and skull.

Question 28

Where is the atlanto-axial joint located?

Answer 28

Between C1 and C2

Question 29

Where are the uncovertebral joints located? What is their nickname?

Answer 29

Between uncinate processes of C3-C7 aka Joints of luschka

Question 30

Where are the intervertebral joints located?

Answer 30

Between vertebral bodies.

Question 31

Where are the zygapophyseal joints located?

Answer 31

Between superior and inferior articular facets of vertebrae.

Question 32

Name the 2 supporting ligaments of the atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 32

Tectotial membrane and posterior atlanto-occipital membrane

Question 33

What is the function of the atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 33

Head flexion/extension, minimal lateral flexion/extension, axial rotation

Question 34

What is the purpose of the transverse ligament of the atlanto-axial joint?

Answer 34

Encircls the den and keeps it against the anterior arch of C1 and turns that articulation into a pivot joint.

Question 35

Name the 3 articulations of the atlanto-axial joint?

Answer 35

Dens, anterior arch, articular processes

Question 36

Which joints have the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposis?

Answer 36

Intervertebral and uncovertebral

Question 37

Classify the intervertebral joint.

Answer 37

Solid --> symphysis joint (bone-fibrocartilage-bone)

Question 38

What is the function of the uncovertebral joint?

Answer 38

Guide flexion/extension of cervical spine Limits lateral flexion True synovial joints (gliding)

Question 39

Classify the zygapophyseal joint.

Answer 39

Synovial, plane/gliding

Question 40

Name and locate the 3 spines of the zygapophyseal joints.

Answer 40

Cervical spine, transverse Thoracic spine, coronal Lumbar spine, sagittal

Question 41

What are the functions of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines?

Answer 41

Cervical: axial rotation, some F/E Thoracic spine: axial rotation, some F/E, lateral F/E Lumbar: lateral F/E, some F/E

Question 42

What are 2 jobs of the ligaments?

Answer 42

Reinforce joints and keep motions in check.