Vertebral Column

Question 1

Describe normal curvatures of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral areas and commonly seen abnormal curvatures

Answer 1

Question 2

Identify and draw the main components of a typical vertebra

Answer 2

Body

Vertebral arch : Pedicle, Lamina

Vertebral foramen

Vertebral canal

Spinous process

Transverse process

Question 3

Identify and draw the main components of the intervertebral disc

Answer 3

Cartilaginous joint that connects vertebral bodies

Centrally it has a fluid like nucleus pulposus surrounded by the fibrous outer area annulus fibrosis

two adjacent vertebral bodies

Question 4

Identify typical vertebra cervical regions, describe main distinguishing characteristics

Answer 4

Transverse foramen

Question 5

Identify a-typical vertebra cervical regions, describe main distinguishing characteristics

Answer 5

Question 6

Joints of vertebral column

Answer 6

Zygapophyseal joints (facet joints)
* between articular facets of two vertebrae

Intervertebral discs (between vertebral bodies)

Question 7

Joints between ribs and vertebra

Answer 7

costovertebral: between head of rib and facet on vertebral body
* costotransverse: between rib and transverse process of vertebrae

Question 8

Identify main ligaments of the vertebral column

Answer 8

Anterior longitudinal – strong, broad
Posterior longitudinal – narrower and weaker, posterior to the disc
Supraspinous and interspinous ligaments - resist separation of posterior aspect of vertebral foramen