vertebral column Flashcards
how many vertebrae are in the vertebral column
33
what are vertebrae separated by
fibrocartilaginous intervertebral discus (IV discs)
name the types of vertebra going down the spine and how many are there in each category
1) cervical vertebrae (neck) - 7
2) thoracic vertebrae (thorax) - 12
3) lumbar vertebrae (loin) - 5
4) sacrum - 5
5) coccyx - 4/5
what are the four ventrodorsal curves of the vertebral column
two kyphosis - 6.1 (thoracic) and 6.2 ( sacral)
two lordosis - 7.1 (cervical) and 7.2 (lumbar)
what are primary curvatures
- kyphotic curves
- present during fetal development
- curving outwards
- thoracic curvature - T1 - T12
- sacrococcygeal curvature
what are secondary curvatures
- begin from postpartum
- curving inwards
- cervical - C1 - C7
- lumbar - L1- L5
what is scoliosis
- sideways curve
- often S or C shaped
what causes scoliosis
- improper posture from muscular or skeletal abnormalities
what is the function of the vertebral column
support
movement
protection
axis
what are the principal movements of the vertebral column
- flexion
- extension
- lateral flexion
- rotation
what are the 2 parts of a vertebra
body - largest and heaviest, gives strength to the spine and increases size down the spine
vertebral arch - later and posterior of vertebra
what does the vertebral arch consist of
- two pedicles
- two lamina
what surrounds the body and vertebral arch
vertebral foramen
what does the foramina of all the vertebrae line up to form
vertebral canal
what separates adjacent vertebral bodies
intervertebral discs
what do the pedicles of the vertebral arch do
join the posterolateral surface of the body and the lamina
what are the 7 vertebral projections
1 spinous process
2 transverse processes
4 articular processes - 2 superior and 2 inferior
what are spinal processes
directed posteriorly and from union of the lamina
what are lamina
plates extended posteriorly and medially from the pedicle and unite at the midline
what are transverse processes
extend posterolaterally from the pedicles and laminae
what are superior articular processes
project superiorly from the pedicles and laminae
what are inferior articular processes
project superiorly from the pedicles and laminae
what do the superior and inferior articular processes allow
articulation with adjacent vertebrae via articular facets
what forms a zygapophysial joint
inferior articular process of the top vertebra comes in contact with the superior articular process of the bottom vertebrae
what is the function of zygapophysical joints
helps keep vertebrae properly aligned
allows movement of vertebral bodies
what are the typical cervical vertebrae
C3 C4 C5 C6
what are the characteristics of typical cervical vertebrae
- small body
- foramen large and triangular to accommodate cervical enlargement of spinal cord
- spinous process is short and bifid
what do transverse processes contain
transverse foramen that allow vertebral artery and vein passage
what is the function of anterior and posterior tubercles
attachment site for levator scapulae and scalene muscles
what is C1 vertebrae called
the atlas
what is special about C1
- no vertebral body - paired lateral masses instead
- no spinous process
- widest C vertebrae
what does each lateral mass contain
- superior articular facet and inferior articular facet
what is the C2 vertebrae called
the axis
why is C2 easily identifiable
dens - odontoid process which extends superiorly from the anterior portion of the vertebra
what does the dens articulates with anterior arch of the atlas form
medial Atlanto axial joint
rotation of the head independently from the torso
what are the 3 joints between the atlas and the axis
1 median atlantoaxial joint
2 lateral atlantoxial joint
what is the C7 vertebrae called
vertebra prominens
what are the features of C7 vertebrae
- thick, long and nearly horizontal
- foramen transversarium is small
what are the typical thoracic vertebrae
T2 - T11
what are the atypical thoracic vertebrae
T1 and T12
what are the key features of typical thoracic vertebrae
- heart shaped
- demi-lacets on the sides of each body
- costal facets on the transverse processes
- spinous processes are long and slant inferiorly
what are the features of T1 vertebrae
long spinous process
complete costal facet which articulates with 1st rib
what movements is T12 able to do
flexion and extension but not rotation
what is the most commonly fractured vertebrae
T12 - subject to increased transitional stress
what are the features of the lumbar vertebrae
- big and thick
- kidney shaped
- vertebral foramen is triangular
- no transverse foramen
- transverse processes are long and slender
- articular processes have nearly vertical facets
- spinous processes are short and broad
what extra processes do lumbar vertebrae have
accessory processes - posterior aspect of base on each transverse process
mammillary processes - found on posterior surface of each superior articular process
what is the function of accessory processes and mammillary processes
attachment for deep back muscles
what is the atypical lumbar vertebrae and what is its features
- L5
- largest body and transverse processes
- carriers the weight of entire upper body
- taller anteriorly
- L5- S1 joint allows for flexion, extension and some lateral flexion
