Vertebral Column Flashcards
Vertebral Column
Skeleton of neck and back. Functions to support weight, protect spinal cord, serve as axis and pivot, aid posture/movement
What are the differentiated segments of the vertebral column?
7 Cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae, 5 sacral vertebrae, variable coccygeal vertebrae (typically 4)
Vertebral Body
Anterior most structure of the vertebral column. Major weight bearing component of the structure. Size of vertebrae varies (increases) as you go down the vertebral column (weight borne on the vertebra significantly increases as you go down the spine)
Vertebral (Neural) Arch
Paired pedicle and lamina of a vertebra.
Pedicle
Paired structures on either side of vertebral foramen. joins vertebral arch and body
Lamina
Paired structures on either side. Flat plates contacting pedicles and spinous process, bound the vertebral foramen.
Vertebral foramen (Canal)
Midline of vertebral column. Houses the spinal cord. Formed by pedicles and lamina.
Superior vertebral notch
Sit above the vertebral arch, immediately superior to the pedicle just posterior to the body. When the vertebrae are articulated, these notches correspond with their superjacent inferior counterpart to form the intervertebral foramen for the spinal nerve
Inferior vertebral notch
deep incisure placed inferior to the more superiorly situated pedicle. Its anterior border is the back of the vertebral body and its posterior wall is the inferior articular process. When the vertebrae are articulated, these notches correspond with their subjacent superior counterpart to form the intervertebral foramen for the spinal nerve
Intervertebral foramen
Formed by superior and inferior vertebral notch; where the spinal nerve roots exit
Transverse processes
Processes (2 per vertebrae) projecting horizontally bilaterally from intersection of lamina and pedicles. Serve as a point of attachment for muscles and ligaments.
Spinous process
Process (1 per vertebra EXCEPT C1) projecting posteriorly and inferiorly from the junction of the laminae. Serves as an attachment for muscles and ligaments.
Zygapophysis/Articular process
4 per vertebra, 2 superior (pre-zygapophyses) and 2 inferior (post-zygapophoses). Act to link vertebrae adjacent together. Spring from junction of pedicles and lamina. superior processes or prezygapophysis project upward from a lower vertebra, and their articular surfaces are directed more or less backward. inferior processes or postzygapophysis project downward from a higher vertebra, and their articular surfaces are directed more or less forward and outward
Typical Cervical Vertebra: Transverse Foramen
Located on either side of the body. Vertebral arteries run C2-C6, enter through foramen magnum to reach the brain (become basillar artery). C7 has transverse foramen, but the artery does not run through it! (Runs along it)
Typical Cervical Vertebra: Anterior and Posterior tubercles
The transverse processes are divided into an anterior and posterior portion, termed the anterior and posterior tubercles. Anterior portion is analagous to the rib, posterior portion is more analagous to “true” transverse process
Carotid Tubercle
Anterior tubercle of C6. Carotid artery runs alongside it. Carotid artery can be compressed at this point easily to occlude bloodflow.
Typical Cervical Vertebra: Vertebral Foramina
large for C3 – C7 due to cervical enlargement of spinal cord
Typical Cervical Vertebra: Uncinate Process/Uncovertebral joint
Raised margins of superior border of body. Form saddle-shaped joint on C3-C7 and T1. Prevents a vertebra from sliding backwards off the vertebra below
Spinous Process of C7
Vertebra prominens; very long and prominent.
Atlas
C1. Articulating surfaces for articulation with the occipital condyles (superior articulating surfaces) and Axis (Inferior articulating surface). LACKS A VERTEBRAL BODY; instead has an anterior and posterior arch (appears as a ring). Groove for vertebral artery on superior surface
Axis
C2. Superior articulating surface (articulation with C1). Dens/odontoid process: former body of C1, allows pivoting for skull
Dens
Odontoid process. Allows for pivoting of skull. Enlarged spinous process of C2. Articulates with C1.
Typical Thoracic Vertebrae: Superior Costal Facet
Location where rib forms articulation with the top of a vertebra. Superior costal facet is located on the inferior thoracic vertebrae; inferior costal facet is located on the superior vertebrae. While these terms may be confusing, it helps to know that the costal facets are named for their position on the vertebral body itself, NOT for the part of the rib that they articulate with
Typical Thoracic Vertebrae: Inferior Costal Facet
Location where rib forms articulation with the top of a vertebra. Inferior costal facet is located on the superior vertebrae; superior costal facet is located on the inferior thoracic vertebrae;. While these terms may be confusing, it helps to know that the costal facets are named for their position on the vertebral body itself, NOT for the part of the rib that they articulate with
Typical Thoracic Vertebrae: Transverse Costal Facet
Point where rib tubercle articulates with transverse process of vertebra.
Typical Thoracic Vertebrae: Apperance
More superior ones look more like cervical vertebra; more inferior ones look more like lumbar vertebra
T11 & T12
Differ from the other thoracic vertebrae in lacking facets for the ribs on their transverse processes, which additionally are shorter here. More similar and size and function similarly to lumbar vertebrae.
Lumbar vertebra
Weight bearing vertebrae of the body. Largest vertebral bodies.
Accessory process
Inferior tubercles, found posteriorly on each transverse process. Attachment for intertransverse lumborum muscles. Specialized tubercles for muscular attachments.
Lumbar vertebra: Spinous process
Short, rectangular shaped
Mammillary process
Superior tubercle, attachments for muscles/articulation: attachments for multifidus and median intertransverse muscles
L5 Vertebra
largest vertebra in column. Significant contributor to lumbosacral angle
Lumbosacral angle
angle between lumbar and sacral vertebrae (duh). Also known as sacrovertebral angle. ~120 degrees. Changes significantly during pregnancy.
Anterior edge of L5
Larger than posterior, results in wedge shaped structure/attachment. Results in the existence of the lumbosacral angle.
Sacrum
Fused vertebra. Discs not visible. functions to transfer body weight to pelvis and contribute to strength and stability.
Sacral Canal
sacral continuation of vertebral canal
Sacral foramina
Four paired foramina descending, diminishing in size as they descend. Sacral nerves exit out of these foramina.
Sacral promonotory
Elevation at base of sacrum. anterosuperior projecting edge of S1
Median crest of sacrum
Formed by fusion of spinous processes