Vertebral column Flashcards
1
Q
How many vertebrae are there?
A
33
7C
12T
5L
5S
4C
2
Q
What is different about the cervical spinous processes?
A
Short
Bifid (C3-C6)
3
Q
What makes the Atlas unique
A
No body
No spinous process
Vertebral foramen divided by the transverse Atlanta ligament
4
Q
Where is the longest transverse process in the thoracic spine?
A
T1
5
Q
What are the ligaments that support the vertebral column?
A
- Ant longitudinal lig: C1/occiput to sacrum
- Post longitudinal lig: Runs in vertebral canal, weak
- Ligamentum flavum: Binds lamina of each vertebra together
- Interspinous lig: Connects each spinous process
- Supraspinous lig: Connects tips of spinous processes from C7- sacrum
6
Q
What makes up each intervertebral disc?
A
- Annular ligament
- Nucleus pulposus
7
Q
What are the anatomical landmarks of the spine?
A
T3 - top of scapula
T7 - inf border of scapula
T10 - Xiphisternum & oesophageal sphincter
L3 - Umbilicus
L4 - sup iliac crests
8
Q
When do the curvatures of the spine evolve?
A
- Fetus: Single C shape
- Infancy: Second curve
- Baby lifts head: Cervical lordosis
- Toddler/walking: Lumbar lordosis
