Vertebral Column

Question 1

what are the 4 main functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

• protection of spinal cord within spinal canal
• support of body weight above pelvis
• axis - central axis of body
• movement + posture

Question 2

how many cervical vertebrae are there?

Answer 2

7

Question 3

how many thoracic vertebrae are there?

Answer 3

12

Question 4

how many lumbar vertebrae are there?

Answer 4

5

Question 5

how many sacral vertebrae are there?

Answer 5

5 (fused)

Question 6

how many coccyx vertebrae are there?

Answer 6

4 (fused)

Question 7

describe the common structure of all vertebrae

Answer 7

vertebral body - weight bearing
vertebral arch - attachment sites
vertebral foramen - encloses the spinal cord

Question 8

the superior and inferior aspects of the vertebral body are lined with what?

Answer 8

hyaline cartilage

Question 9

how are adjacent vertebral bodies separated?

Answer 9

fibrocartilagenous intervertebral discs

Question 10

what are the 3 main distinguishing features of a cervical vertebrae?

Answer 10

• bifid spinous process - bifurcates at distal end
• transverse foramina - vertebral arteries travel to brain
• triangular vertebral foramen

Question 11

which cervical vertebrae do not have bifid spinous processes?

Answer 11

C1 - no spinous process
C7 - spinous process longer than others and may not bifurcate

Question 12

what vertebrae is also known as ‘atlas’?

Answer 12

C1

Question 13

what vertebrae is also known as ‘axis’?

Answer 13

C2

Question 14

what is the specialised function of thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 14

articulate with the ribs + produce the bony thorax

Question 15

what are the 3 main distinguishing features of thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 15

• demi facets on vertebral body - articulation with heads of two ribs
• costal facet on transverse process - articulates with shaft of 1 rib
• vertebral foramen is circular

Question 16

how are lumbar vertebrae different to other vertebrae?

Answer 16

• kidney shaped
• no transverse foramina, costal facets or bifid spinous processes
• triangular shaped vertebral foramen

Question 17

the size and orientation of the lumbar vertebrae are clinically important - why is this?

Answer 17

• permits needle access to spinal canal and spinal cord
• useful in epidural and lumbar puncture

Question 18

what is unique about the coccyx?

Answer 18

lacks vertebral arches - no vertebral canal

Question 19

lumbarisation

Answer 19

separation of S1 from sacrum

Question 20

sacralisation

Answer 20

fusion of L5 to sacrum

Question 21

what are 2 congenital abnormalities that occur in the fusion of vertebrae in the sacrum?

Answer 21

lumbarisation
sacralisation

Question 22

kyphosis

Answer 22

excessive thoracic curvature causing a hunchback deformity

Question 23

lordosis

Answer 23

excessive lumbar curvature causing a swayback deformity

Question 24

scoliosis

Answer 24

lateral curvature of the spine usually of unknown cause

Question 25

cervical spondylosis

Answer 25

decrease in the size of the intervertebral foramina, usually due to degeneration of the joints of the spine.

smaller size of intervertebral foramina puts pressure on nerves and results in pain

Question 26

what are the primary curvatures of the spine?

Answer 26

thoracic
sacrococcygeal

retained from original foetal curvature

Question 27

what are the secondary curvatures of the spine?

Answer 27

cervical
lumbar

appear with standing and walking

Question 28

primary curves of the spine are what?

Answer 28

kyphotic
present during foetal delivery

Question 29

separation of S1 from sacrum

Answer 29

lumbarisation

Question 30

fusion of L5 to sacrum

Answer 30

sacralisation

Question 31

excessive thoracic curvature causing a hunchback deformity

Answer 31

kyphosis

Question 32

excessive lumbar curvature causing a swayback deformity

Answer 32

lordosis

Question 33

lateral curvature of the spine usually of unknown cause

Answer 33

scoliosis

Question 34

decrease in the size of the intervertebral foramina, usually due to degeneration of the joints of the spine.

smaller size of intervertebral foramina puts pressure on nerves and results in pain

Answer 34

cervical spondylosis

Question 35

decrease in the size of the intervertebral foramina, usually due to degeneration of the joints of the spine.

smaller size of intervertebral foramina puts pressure on nerves and results in pain

Answer 35

cervical spondylosis

Question 36

label this vertebrae

Answer 36

cervical

Question 37

label this vertebrae

Answer 37

lumbar

Question 38

label this vertebrae

Answer 38

thoracic