Vertebral Column Flashcards
What is the vertebral column?
The skeleton of neck and back
What are the functions of the vertebral column
to support weight, protect spinal cord, serve as an axis and pivot, and aid posture/movement
How many differential segments are there?
5
What are the differential segments of the vertebral column?
Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7 (C1 - C7)
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5 (L1 - L5)
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12 (T1 - T12)
How many sacral vertebrae are there?
5 (S1 - S5)
How many variable coccygeal vertebrae are there?
typically 4 (Co1 - Co4)
What are the ventral and dorsal sides of a vertebra called, respectively?
vertebral body and vertebral/neural arch
What does the vertebral/neural arch consist of?
paired laminae and pedicles
What is the function of the pedicles?
They join the vertebral arch and body
What are laminae?
flat plates contacting pedicles
What do the vertebral foramen form?
the vertebral canal
What landmark do the superior and inferior vertebral notches form?
The intervertebral foramen
What forms the intervertebral foramen?
the superior and inferior vertebral notches
What forms the vertebral canal?
The vertebral foramen
What does the vertebral process consist of?
spinous process, transverse process, and articular process/zygopophysis
Together, the spinous process, transverse process, and articular process/zgopopheysis make up what?
The vertebral process
How many spinous processes are there per vertebra?
1
How many transverse processes are there per vertebra?
2
How many articular processes/zygapophyses are there per vertebra?
4
Name the articular processes/zygapophyses based on their location on the vetebra
The 2 superior ones are called pre-zygapophyses.
The 2 inferior ones are called post-zygapophyses
What conveys vertebral arteries?
transverse foramina on CERVICAL vertebrae
What type of vertebral segment has transverse foramina?
cervical
What structures are located on the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae?
anterior and posterior tubercles
What is the name of the anterior tubercle of C6?
carotid tubercle
Why are the vertebral foramina of C3 - C7 large?
Do to the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord
What is the raised margin of the superior border of the body of cervical vertebrae called?
uncinate process
What cervical vertebra articulates with occipital condyles?
C1 / atlas
What vertebra laces a vertebral body?
C1 / atlas
What vertebra has a groove for vertebral artery on superior surface?
C1 / atlas
What is the name of the former body of C1, which is the pivot for skull, on C2 called?
dens/odontoid process
What is another name for C2?
axis
What is the name of the long spinous process on C7 called?
vertebra prominens
What cervical vertebra is the vertebra prominens on?
C7
What is the name of the structure on a thoracic vertebra that articulates with the rib head?
the superior and inferior costal facets of adjacent thoracic vertebrae come together to form a space that articulates with the rib head.
What is the name of the structure on a thoracic vertebra that articulates with the rib tubercle?
transverse costal facet
Describe the spinous process on a thoracic vertebra
long and slender
What is the name of the structure that is positioned posteriorly on each transverse process (attachment for intertransverse lumborum muscles) on a lumbar vertebra?
accessory process
What is the name of the structure on a lumbar vertebra that is an attachment for multifidus and median intertransverse muscles?
mammillary process
Which vertebra is the largest in vertebral column?
L5
Which lumbar vertebra is a huge contributor to lumbosacral angle?
L5
What is the name of the angle between lumbar and sacral vertebrae?
lumbosacral angle
Which vertebrae fuse to form sacrum?
sacral
What do the sacral vertebrae do to form the sacrum?
fuse
What is the function of the sacral vertebrae?
to transfer body weight to pelvis and contribute to strength and stability
What is the name of the sacral continuation of vertebral canal?
sacral canal
What is the name of the space between sacral vertebrae (laterally positioned)?
sacral foramina
What is the name of the anterosuperior projecting edge of S1?
sacral promontory
What is the name of the fused spinous processes on the sacrum?
median crest
What is the name of the fused articular processes on the sacrum?
medial crest
What is the name of the fused transverse processes on the sacrum?
lateral crest
What is the name of the gap in laminae on the sacrum?
sacral hiatus
What is the name of the former inferior articular processes of S5?
sacral cornua (horns)
What is the name of the surface that is a part of the sacroiliac joint?
auricular surface
What is the name of the rudimentary tailbone?
coccygeal (coccyx)