Vertebral Column Flashcards
What are the structural units of the spinal column?
- Vertebrae
- Sacrum
- Coccyx
What are the four curvatures of the spine?
- Cervical Lordosis
- Thoracic Kyphosis
- Lumbar Lordosis
- Sacral Kyphosis
What does Lordosis mean?
Extension of the spine
What does Kyphosis mean?
Flexion of the spine
What are the functions of the spinal curvature?
- flexibility
- support
- protection
- shock absorption
Why is C1 special?
C1 is the atlas and has no vertebral body and spinous process
Why is C2 special?
C2 is the axis and absorbs the C1 vertebral body to form the dens during development
What is special about the cervical vertebral bodies on C3-C7?
They have an uncinate process (a hook shape)
Why is C7 special?
It does not have a bifurcated spinous process like C3-C6
Label the cervical vertebrae.
A. Spinous Process
B. Vertebral Foramen
C. Superior Articular Facet
D. Posterior Tubercle
E. Anterior Tubercle
F. Groove for Spinal Nerve
G. Body
H. Uncinate Process
I. Transverse Process
J. Transverse Foramen
K. Superior Articular Process
L. Lamina
M. Pedicle
What are the five unique thoracic vertebrae?
T1
T9
T10
T11
T12
Why are T1, and T9-T12 special?
They have superior/inferior rib demi-facets and they articulate with the ribs
Label the thoracic vertebrae…
A. Body
B. Superior Costal Facet
C. Pedicle
D. Angle of Articular Facet
E. Transverse Costal Facet
F. Lamina
G. Spinous Process
H. Superior Articular Facet
I. Superior Vertebral Notch
J. Vertebral Foramen
K. Transverse Process
L. Inferior Articular Process
M. Inferior Vertebral Notch
N. Inferior Costal Facet
Which vertebrae has the largest vertebral body?
Lumbar
What is special about the lumbar vertebrae osteology?
- The superior/ inferior articular processes have a mammillary process
- The transverse process has an accessory process
Label the lumbar vertebrae…
A. Vertebral Body
B. Superior Articular Facet
C. Superior Articular Process
D. Mammillary Process
E. Spinous Process
F. Lamina
G. Accessory Process
H. Transverse Process
I. Pedicle
J. Vertebral Foramen
What attaches the the dorsal surface of the sacrum?
Multifidi
What attaches to the ventral surface of the sacrum?
Piriformis
What is the sacral foramina used for?
It is an exit of dorsal and ventral rami of spinal nerves
Label the sacrum…
A. Coccyx
B. Coccygeal Cornu
C. Sacrul Hiatus
D. Sacrul Cornu
E. Median Sacral Crest
F. Lateral Sacral Crest
G. Sacral Foramina
H. Sacral Tuberosity
I. Entrance to Sacral Canal
J. Articular Process
K. Sacral Curve
L. Articular Surface
M. Sacral Promontory
N. Base
O. Transverse Lines
P. Apex
Q. Ala
The atlanto-occipital joint attaches in what two places?
- Superior articular facet
- Occipital condyle
The atlanto-occipital joint helps produce what motion?
“YES”
The atlanto-odontoid joint attaches in what two places?
- Transverse ligament of the atlas
- Dens of axis
The atlanto-odontoid joint helps produce what motion?
“NO”
The atlanto-axial joint attaches in what two places?
- Inferior articular facet of atlas
- Superior articular facet of axis
Does the atlanto-axial joint have a disc?
NO
What is between vertebral bodies in the cervical spine?
Intervertebral discs; uncovertebral joints (synovial lined structure between the uncinate process)
How are the disc named?
According to the superior vertebra
- Example: C4 disk is between C4 and C5
Where is your anatomical landmark for counting cervical vertebrae?
The Dens
What is the difference between a T1 image and a T2 image?
T1 - Fat is white (subcutaneous tissue)
T2 - Fat and water are white
What section of the spine has the thinnest disc?
Thorascic
Costovertebral Joints articulate with ____.
The ribs and are found in the thoracic region
Costotransverse joints articulate with ____.
Rib tubercles and are found in the thoracic region
When counting thoracic vertebrae on an image where do you have to start?
The dens of C2
What part of the spine has the thickest disc?
The lumbar
When counting lumbar vertebrae on a scan where do you start?
From the lowest rub counting down
- in 10% of the population that is L6
L5/L6 inferior articular facets and superior articular facets of the sacrum make what kind of joint?
Facet joint
Describe the structure of the Anterior Longitudinal Ligament…
Broad caudally and narrow cranially
Describe the structure of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament…
Narrow caudally and broad cranially
What does a narrow caudal PPL cause?
lumbar disc herniation
What is the purpose of the intervertebral foramen?
For spinal nerves to exit, eliminates the need for a pedicle
The spinous process has the supraspinous ligament and the interspinous ligament, where do they sit in relation to one another?
Interspinous ligament is deep to the supraspinous ligament
What ligament is attached to the lamina?
Ligamentum Flavum
What ligament is attached to the transverse process?
Intertransverse Ligament
The cervical region has what special membrane?
Tectorial membrane: specialized posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical region
What structures are anterior/deep to the tectorial membrane?
- Transverse Ligament of the Atlas
- Apical Ligament
- Alar Ligament
What Ligament runs from C6 to the external occipital protuberance?
Ligament Nuchae (supraspinous ligament)
What makes up a functional spinal unit?
Adjacent two vertebrae and 3 joints
What is in the anterior column of a functional spinal unit?
The vertebral bodies and intervertebral disc
The anterior column of the spine aids in ______ of motion.
degrees; accept in the cervical region
The anterior column of the spine withholds _____% of stress along the spine.
70
What is in the anterior column of a functional spinal unit?
Arch - Facet joints - inferior/ superior articular processes
The posterior column of the spine aids in _____ of motion.
types
The posterior column of the spine withholds ____% of stress along the spine.
30
