Vertebral Column Flashcards
What is C1 veterbrae called?
The atlas
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7
What is the c2 vertebra called?
Axis
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12
How many lumbar vertebrae?
5
How many sacrum vertebrae?
5 fused vertebrae
How many coccyx vertebrae?
4 Co1 is often not fused but Co2-4 are
What is the cervical curvature called?
Cervical lordosis (concave side is facing the posterior
What is the thoracic curvature called?
Thoracic kyphosis - concave side to anterior
What is the lumbar curvature called?
Lumbar lordosis- concave side facing posterior
What is the sacral curvature called?
Sacral kyphosis- concave side faces anterior
A typical veterbrae has 7 consistent features, what are they? And what do they do?
Body-weight bearing
Arch - includes pedicels, laminae and transverse processes (lateral extensions
Vertebral foramen - formed from the arch, contains the spinal cord and meninges
Articular facets - (two superior and two inferior) aid in the attachment of the veterbrae
Spinous process - prosterior projection from where laminae connect
Veterbral notches - form intervertebral foramina
Intervertebral foramina - passage for spinal nerves and vessels
What is the transverse foramina?
It is on the cervical vertebrae and transmit vertebral vessels to get more blood to the brain
Which veterbrae don’t have fibrocaryilaginous intertribal discs?
Inbetween atlas and axis, sacral and coccyx
What is scoliosis?
Is t an accentuated lateral and rotational curve of the thoracic and lumbar spine
What is accentuated kyphosis?
it is an accentuation of the thoracic spine - also called hunchback
what is accentuated lordosis?
-accentuation o the lumbar spine, it is called swayback - usually from weakened trunk muscles, obesity or pregnancy
What is the atlas like?
ring-like structure
no body
no spinous process
no intervertebral disc
rotates on the articular facets of the axis
two lateral masses with facets to hold the occipital condyle
foramen transversarium for extra blood vessels to the brain
has an anterior arch to hold the dens of the axis
has a transverse ligament of the anterior arch to hold the dens of the axis in place
What is the axis like?
supports the atlas through the superior projection of the dens
it is the strongest cervical vertebrae
What are C3 - C7 vertebrae like?
- large triangular vertebral foramen
- foramen transversarium - for extra arteries
- narrow intervertebral foramina
- C3 - C5 have bifid spinous process
- C6 - C7 have long spinous process
What is C7 vertebrae called?
veterbra prominens
What are 4 key features of the thoracic vertebrae?
heart-shaped body with facets for rib articulation
small circular vetebral foramen
long tranverse processes, which have the costal facets for the ribs
long spinous process which clops posteriorly and overlap the next vertebrae
What are 4 key features of the lumbar vertebrae?
kidney shaped body, massive for support midsized triangular vertebral oramen facets face medial or lateral direction, which permit good flexion and extension spinous process is short L5 is largest vertebra
What are features of the sacrum?
it is a fusion of 5 sacral veterbrae
includes an sacral canal and the distal entry is called the sacral hiatus
the sides are called ala
The distal end of the sacrum is called?
the apex
What is the purpose of the tuberosity of the anterior of the sacrum?
to match with the tuberosity of the illeum to make it more secure
Which sacral vertebra doesn’t have a tranverse process foramina?
S5
