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
