Vertebral Column Flashcards
What is another word for the vertebral column?
spine
What is the curvature of the vertebral column in newborn?
Kyposis/ kyphotic
When do the characteristic curvatures of the adult vertebral column develop?
postnatal development
What vertebrae exhibit lordosis?
cervical/ lumbar
What vertebrae exhibit kyphosis?
thoracic/ sacral
Why is the vertebral column important?
houses spinal cord/ nerves
Where do spinal nerves exit the vertebral canal at each vertebral level?
Intervertebral foramina
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7 = C1-C7
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12 = T1-T12
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5 = L1-L5
How many vertebrae are in sacrum?
5
How many vertebrae are in coccyx?
4
How many total vertebrae are there?
33
Why are the inferior vertebrae larger?
carry more weight
What are the 3 main parts of a typical vertebrae?
vertebral body/ vertebral arch/ processes
Where are the vertebral body/ arch relatively?
arch = posterior / body = anterior
Why are vertebral processes important?
allow for muscle attachment
What is each vertebral arch composed of?
2 pedicles/ 2 laminae (lamina)
What part of vertebrae houses spinal cord?
vertebral formen - foramina - canal
How many processes arise from vertebral arch?
7
What are the point where 2 laminae meet posteriorly called?
Spinous process (1x)
What processes arise from where pedicles/ laminae meet?
6 total = 3x2
Transverse/ Articular processes (superior/ inferior)
What procedure is done to reveal the spinal cord within the vertebral canal?
Laminectoomy - cutting the laminae
What are the 7 processes that arise from vertebral arch?
1x- spinous
2x- superior articular
2x- inferior articular
2x- transverse
What 3 structures are associated with each foramen/ the intervertebral foramina?
superior/ inferior vertebral notch
intervertebral disc
Where are the cervical vertebrae?
neck
Where are the thoracic vertebrae?
ribs
Where are the lumbar vertebrae?
lower back
What is C1 called?
Atlas
What is C2 called?
Axis
What is unique with atlas/ C1?
no body/ no spinous processes
widest transverse processes
What is unique with axis/ C2?
dens/ odontoid processes (so C1 rotates)
What is a characteristic of typical cervical vertebrae?
split spinous processes/ foramen of transverse processes
Why do cervical vertebrae have foramen in transverse processes?
artery travels through
What do typical thoracic vertebrae look like?
giraffe
What are facets?
little dents for attachments
What are unique characteristics of thoracic vertebrae?
long spinous processes
heart shaped bodies
facets for ribs
What vertebrae have heart shaped bodies?
thoracic
How do you remember how thoracic vertebrae accommodate the ribs?
ribs- have toe= head/ heel = tubercle
- toe articulates with vertebral body
- heel articulates with transverse process
What does the head of the rib articulate with?
facet on body of thoracic vertebrae
What does the tubercle of the rib articulate with?
facet on transverse process of thoracic vertebrae
What are characteristics of typical lumbar vertebrae?
large/ square spinous processes/ kidney shaped bodies
What vertebrae have kidney shaped bodies?
lumbar
What is the result of sacral vertebrae fused?
sacrum
What runs down the sacrum?
sacral canal
What is unique with S5?
lack spinous process/ laminae = opening
What are the 3 sacral crests?
median/ lateral/ intermediate
What is the medial fusion of the distal part of sacrum called?
sacral hiatus
What are the lateral margins of the sacral hiatus?
- 2 small processes that extend inferiorly down hiatus
sacral cornua
What is the only ligament that limits extension of the vertebral column?
anterior longitudinal ligament
What is the function of posterior longitudinal ligament?
prevents hyperflexion of vertebral column
What is the function of anterior longitudinal ligament?
limits extension of vertebral column
What is the function of the intervertebral discs?
permit movement between adjacent vertebral bodies
Why are accessory ligaments important?
= interspinous/ supraspinous/ intertransverse
unite laminae/ TP/ SP - stabilize joints/ maintain stability
What joint is located between superior/ inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae?
zygapophysial joint
What ligament joins the tips of spinous processes?
supraspinous ligament
What ligament joins adjacent spinous processes?
interspinous ligament
What ligament binds adjacent transverse processes together?
intertransverse ligament
What ligament (neck) is the cervical extension of supraspinous ligament?
ligamentum nuchae
What ligament joins laminae of adjacent vertebrae?
ligamentum flava
What are the anterior/ posterior longitudinal ligaments connected to?
vertebral body
