Vertebral Column Flashcards
what is a primary curvature?
an anterior concavity
what is a secondary curvature?
a posterior concavity
what is an anterior concavity vs a posterior concavity?
anterior = concavity at the body of the vertebra
posterior = concavity at the spinous process of the vertebra
As development occurs, where are primary curvatures located?
thoracic region
sacral region
as development occurs, where are the secondary curvatures located?
cervical region
lumbar region
what element of the vertebral column holds the majority of the weight? How much does it hold?
vertebra body
75-80%
what is the pedicle?
a bilateral, tubular structure that protrudes from the body posteriorly
what is important about the pedicle? when stacked, what do the pedicles form?
there are superior and inferior notches that when stacked form the intervertebral foramen.
what exits from the intervertebral foramen?
spinal nerves
what are the laminae?
bilateral, obliquely oriented structures that lead to the spinous processes
how do spinous and transverse processes differ?
spinous - points posteriorly
transverse - points laterally from laminae/pedicles
what structure supports a minority of a person’s body weight? How much does it hold?
Articular processes
20-25%
How many cervical vertebra are there?
7
What is kyphosis? what type of curvature is that?
excess curvature in the thoracic region
1st degree
what is lordosis? what type of curvature is that?
excess curvature in the lumbar region
2nd degree
what is scoliosis?
a lateral deviation, typically due to a missing/extra portion of vertebra
of the 33 vertebral elements, how many are moveable vs immoveable?
moveable = 24
immoveable = 9
how many cervical vertebrae are there?
7
what is different about CV1?
no spinous process or vertebral body
What is an inferior vertebra named in relation to the superior?
atlas = superior
axis = inferior
what is the odontoid process? (Dens)
what does it allow for?
the vertebral body of CV2
acts as a stable pivot that allows for lateral rotation of the head
what is the main action between CV1 and the skull?
flexion and extension
what are the characteristics of all cervical vertebrae?
bifid spinous process
nearly horizontal articular processes
transverse foramen
what is a bifid spinous process?
what is the downside of having nearly horizontal articular processes?
there is a greater chance of slippage that could in turn sever the spinal cord
what purpose does the transverse foramen serve in the cervical region?
allows for the vertebral artery to pass through up to the brain
what vertebrae does the vertebral artery pass through in the cervical region?
CV6 to CV1
what is significant about CV7?
it has the first prominent spinous process
what is the name of the significance at CV7?
vertebra prominens