Vertebral Column Flashcards
How many vertebrae are in each of the following regions of the vertebral column?
a) Cervical
b) Thoracic
c) Lumbar
d) Sacral
e) Coccygeal
a) 7
b) 12
c) 5
d) 5
e) 3-5
What are the four normal curvatures in sagittal plane?
Thoracic and sacral kyphosis, cervical and lumbar lordosis
What forms the intervertebral foramina?
Inferior vertebral notches of the superior vertebrae and superior vertebral notches of the inferior vertebrae
What passes through the intervertebral foramina?
Spinal nerves
What forms the vertebral canal?
Stacked vertebral foramina
Where does the spinal cord pass through?
Vertebral canal
What is the shape of the vertebral body of the thoracic vertebrae?
Heart
What is the shape of the vertebral body of the lumbar vertebrae?
Kidney
What are the functions of the atlanto-occipital joint?
Head flexion and extension, minimal lateral F/E, axial rotation
What are the supporting ligaments of the atlanto-occipital joint?
Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane, tectorial membrane
What are the three articulations of the atlanto-axial joint?
Median (dens and anterior arch), lateral (articular processes)
What is the function of the atlanto-axial joint?
Axial rotation
What are the ligaments of the atlanto-axial joint?
Transverse, cruciform and alar ligaments
What is the classification of the zygapophyseal joints?
Synovial, plane/gliding
What plane are the facets aligned with in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine?
Cervical (transverse), thoracic (coronal) and lumbar (sagittal)
