Vertebral Column Flashcards
Where is the body of the vertebra
Anterior
How many vertebra in the typical adult vertebral column
33; 7 cervical 12 thoracic 5 lumbar 5 sacral fused into one sacrum 4 coccygeal fused into on coccyx
What does the pedicle do
Attaches the transverse process to vertebral body
What does the lamina do
Attaches the transverse process to the spinous process
Specific features of cervical vertebra
Smallest vertebra
Transverse foramina (apart from c7)
Bifid spinous process
What structures pass through the transverse foramina
Vertebral arteries
Vertebral vein
Sympathetic nerve plexus
What is the name of the long spinous process of c7
Vertebra prominens - a bony landmark
What is the name of the atypical cervical vertebra and their features
C1- atlas; no vertebral body
C2- axis; dens/Odontoid process
What is the name of the ligament that holds the dens in place
Transverse ligament of the atlas
What facets do thoracic vertebra have and what is their function
Paired superior and inferior articular facets to join adjacent vertebra together
Paired superior and inferior costal facets to join vertebral bodies to head of the ribs
Paired transverse costal facets (apart from T11 and T12) to articulate transverse processes to tubercles of the ribs
What are the largest segments of the vertebral column
Lumbar vertebra
How are vertebra held together
Facets joints, intervertebral discs and ligaments
What are facet/zygapophyseal joints
Connects superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae
What do intervertebral discs do
Provide flexibility to the spine and act as shock absorbers
What are the components of the intervertebral disc
Annulus fibrosus; outer ring of fibrocartilage
Nucleus pulposus; inner mucoprotein gel
Attachments and function of anterior longitudinal ligament
Basiooccipital bone- anterior sacral promontory
Limit extension of vertebral column + reinforce intervertebral discs
Attachments and function of posterior longitudinal ligament
C2 vertebral body- posterior surface of sacrum
Limit flexion of vertebral column + reinforce intervertebral disc
Attachments and function of ligamentum nuchae
C7 spine-external occipital protuberance.
Limit flexion of head and neck + provides attachment surface for dorsal neck muscles
Attachments and function of ligamentum flavum
Superior border of one lamina to inferior border of lamina above.
Limit flexion of vertebral column
Attachments and function of interspinous ligaments
Connects successive spinous processes from roots to apices.
Limit flexion of vertebral column
How many spinal nerves in each region of the vertebral column
31 in total.
8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 1 coccygeal.
Do spinal veins have valves
No valves so blood passes directly into systemic venous system
Arterial supply of spinal cord
1 anterior spinal artery
2 posterior spinal arteries
Reinforced by radicular branches of intercostal and lumbar arteries.
What 2 groups can the muscles of the back be divided into
Deep/intrinsic and superficial/extrinsic
Superfical group of extrinsic back muscles
Rhomboid major + minor
Levator scapulae
Trapezius
Latissimus Dorsi
Intermediate group of extrinsic back muscles
Serratus posterior superior
Serratus posterior inferior
Superficial intrinsic back muscles
Splenius capitus
Splenius cervicis
Intermediate intrinsic back muscles
(Medial-lateral)
Spinalis
Longissimus
Iliocostalis
Deep intrinsic back muscles
Semispinalis
Multifidis
Rotares
