Vertebral Column

Question 1

What are the 3 parts of each vertebra?

Answer 1

1. vertebral body
2. vertebral/neural arch
3. vertebral processes

Question 2

Vertebral/neural arch

Answer 2

paired laminae and pedicles

Question 3

Pedicles

Answer 3

join vertebral arch and body

Question 4

Laminae

Answer 4

flat plates contacting pedicles

Question 5

Vertebral foramen forms ____

Answer 5

vertebral canal

Question 6

What forms the IV foramina?

Answer 6

superior and inferior vertebral notches

Question 7

How many articular processes/zygapophyses does a vertebra have?

Answer 7

4 per vertebrae

• 2 superior (prezygapophyses)
• 2 inferior ( post-zygapophyses)

Question 8

What are the two types of curvatures that occur in the vertebral column?

Answer 8

• primary (present at birth, due to differences in A&P portions of vertebrae)
• secondary (primarily develop after birth, due to differences in A&P portions of IV discs

Question 9

What type of curvature is cervical?

Answer 9

• anteriorly convex, secondary

- develops when child lifts head up

Question 10

What type of curvature is thoracic?

Answer 10

• anteriorly concave

- primary

Question 11

What type of curvature is lumbar?

Answer 11

• anteriorly convex
• secondary
• develops when child sits upright

Question 12

What type of curvature is sacral?

Answer 12

• anteriorly concave

- primary

Question 13

What types of movements can the vertebral column do?

Answer 13

• flexion/extension
• lateral bending
• rotation

Question 14

What restricts movement in the vertebral column?

Answer 14

• IV discs
• orientation of zygapophysial joints
• articular capsules
• muscles
• ligaments

Question 15

What allows for ROM of the vertebral column?

Answer 15

elasticity of IV discs

Question 16

What types of joints are vertebral body joints? How do they articulate?

Answer 16

• secondary cartilaginous joints

- articulate via interposed IV discs

Question 17

What are the 2 parts of IV discs?

Answer 17

1. anulus fibrosus

2. nucleus pulposus

Question 18

Anulus fibrosus

Answer 18

outer portion of concentric fibrocartilaginous circles

Question 19

Nucleus pulposus

Answer 19

• slightly posteriorly positioned gelatinous, elastic, avascular core
• propensity for herniation here!!!

Question 20

Uncovertebral joints

Answer 20

joints b/w uncinate process of C3-C6 and superjacent body

Question 21

Vertebral arch joints (zygapophyses)

Answer 21

• synovial joints between superior and inferior articular processes

Question 22

What type of movement do vertebral arch joints allow for? What limits it?

Answer 22

• gliding b/w vertebrae

- variable orientation limits movements

Question 23

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 23

• strong band extending across anterolateral vertebral bodies and IV discs
• extends from sacrum to occiput and C1 anterior tubercle

Question 24

What is the function of the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 24

• prevents hyperextension of vertebral column

- stabilizes vertebral body joints

Question 25

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 25

- weaker band extending along anterior aspect of vertebral canal

Question 26

What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament/

Answer 26

- prevents hyperflexion of vertebral column | - prevents herniation or protrusion of discs

Question 27

What are the accessory ligaments? (5) What is their main function?

Answer 27

1. ligamenta flava 2. interspinous ligaments 3. supraspinous ligaments 4. nuchal ligament/ligamentum nuchae 5. inter-transverse ligaments function: stabilize laminae, transverse processes, and spinous processes

Question 28

What is the function of the ligamenta flava?

Answer 28

- connect adjacent laminae and maintain structural stability - prevents abrupt flexion of vertebral column - prevents injury to IV discs

Question 29

What is the function of the interspinous ligaments/

Answer 29

Connect spinous processes

Question 30

What is the function of the supraspinous ligaments?

Answer 30

- connects tips of spinous processes - extends from C7-sacrum - merges with ligamentum nuchae

Question 31

What is the function of the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 31

- extends from external occipital protuberance/posterior foramen magnum to spinous processes of cervical vertebrae

Question 32

What is the function of the inter-transverse ligaments

Answer 32

- connects adjacent transverse processes

Question 33

Antlanto-occipital joint movements

Answer 33

- allows nodding of head (flexion/extension) | - lateral bending and rotation

Question 34

Atlanto-occipital membranes

Answer 34

- extends from atlas to margins of foramen magnum | - prevents excessive movement

Question 35

Transverse ligament of atlas

Answer 35

- holds dens of C2 with arch of C1 | - posterior wall of dens' socket

Question 36

Longitudinal bands

Answer 36

- extends from transverse ligament to occiput and C2 body

Question 37

Alar ligaments

Answer 37

- extends from sides of dens to C1 and foramen magnum | - limits head rotation

Question 38

Tectorial membrane

Answer 38

- extends from C2 and through foramen magnum | - superior continuation of posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 39

Atlanto-axial joint

Answer 39

- joitn b/w atlas and axis | - movement = rotation

Question 40

Where do C1 and skull rotate on? What limits their movement?

Answer 40

- C2 | - limited by alar ligaments

Question 41

What type of joints are C1/C2 zygapophysial joints?

Answer 41

gliding joints

Question 42

What type of joint is the dens and C1 articulation?

Answer 42

pivot joint

Question 43

What are the branches of the spinal arteries in the neck?

Answer 43

vertebral and ascending cervical artery

Question 44

What are the branches of the spinal arteries in the thorax?

Answer 44

posterior intercostal arteries

Question 45

What are the branches of the spinal arteries in the abdomen?

Answer 45

subcostal and lumbar arteries

Question 46

What are the branches of the spinal arteries in the pelvis?

Answer 46

iliolumbar and lateral/medial sacral arteries

Question 47

Spinal arteries enter the IV foramina and divide into:

Answer 47

1. terminal radicular arteries (supply ventral and dorsal roots) 2. medullary segmental arteries (anastomose w/ spinal cord arteries)

Question 48

What are the 2 spinal veins?

Answer 48

1. internal venous plexus | 2. external venous plexus

Question 49

Transverse foramina

Answer 49

Conveys vertebral arteries