Vertebral Column Flashcards
How many vertebrae are in each section
Cervical - 7
Thoracic - 12
Lumbar - 5
Sacral - 5
Coccygeal - 3-5
What movement develops the cervical lordosis
as baby develops ability to hold up own head
Detail the components of the vertebrae
Body
arch
pedicles - form laminae
vertebral foramen
1x spinous process
2x transverse processes
4x articular processes
vertebral notches
What makes the atlas atypical
no body or spinous process
instead made up of anterior and posterior arches
what do the large superior articular surfaces of the atlas articulate with
occipital condyles of base of skull
What makes the axis atypical
odontoid/dens process
Which movement does the axis allow for
shaking of head
Describe the bony features specific to cervical vertebrae
pronounced ridges at lateral margins - uncinate processes
transverse foramen
pronounced groove on transverse processes - spinal nerve
bifid spinous process
Describe the bony features specific to thoracic vertebrae
costal facets
superior, inferior and transverse (for tubercle)
long, sloping spinous process
Describe the bony features specific to lumbar vertebrae
massive kidney shaped bodies
accessory and mammillary process
superior articular facets directed posteromedially
inferior articular facets are directed anterolaterally
Describe the bony features specific to the sacrum
anterior and posterior and sacral foramina
median crest - from spinous processes
intermediate crest - fusion of articular processes
lateral crests - fusion of transverse processes
What coccygeal structure articulates with the sacrum
cornu/horns
Which two joint types are found in the vertebral column
secondary cartilaginous - IV discs
plane synovial - facet/zygapophysial joints
What do the facet joints attach to
Inferior articular process of above vertebrae to superior articular process of vertebrae below
Where in the spine can change in shape of IV disc during rotation be best seen
thoracic region
