Vertebral Column Flashcards
how many individual vertebrae (bones) is the vertebral column comprised of?
33
During development, some of the bones of the vertebral column fuse, resulting in ___ individual bony segments
26
how many cervical (neck) vertebrae are there?
7
how many thoracic (upper back) vertebrae are there?
12
How many lumbar (lower back) vertebrae are there?
5
how many sacral (buttocks) vertebrae are there?
5 fused
how many coccygeal (pelvic floor) vertebrae are there?
4 fused
What are the 3 functions of the vertebral column?
1) support/upright posture
2) protection
3) movement
what are the 2 projections from the posterior body of each vertebrae called
pedicles
what is the anterior, weight bearing part of each vertebrae called?
vertebral body
the 2 flat bars which meet posteriorly at the spinous process of each vertebrae are called?
laminae
the circle on vertebrae created by the laminae, pedicles and body
Vertebral foramen
the _______ is created by the vertebral foramen, and houses the spinal cord
vertebral canal
what is the posterior projection on each vertebrae called
spinous process
each vertebrae has one of these projections on each side
transverse process
what is the superior projection on a vertebrae called? the inferior projection?
superior = superior articular processes inferior = inferior articular processes
_______ is created by the articulation of adjacent vertebrae
intervertebral foramen
True or false: Cervical vertebrae have small bodies because they bear less weight
true
what is the shape of the foramen of cervical vertebrae?
triangular
what is different about the spinous processes of cervical vertebrae
they are bifid spinous processes (other than prominens)
________ houses the vertebral arteries that provide to the brain
transverse foramina
What is another name for C1?
Atlas
What is the primary role of Atlas?
to support the head
true or false: C1 has no body
true (simply a ring of bone)
the superior articular facets of Atlas articulate with what?
Occipital condyles
What is another name for C2
Axis
What is the most defining feature on Axis?
Dens (odontoid process)
what is the purpose of the dens on C2?
to create a pivot about which Atlas rotates
What is another name for C7
Prominens
Is prominens spinous process bifid?
no
what is different about the spinous process of bifid?
it has a tubercle on the end
the spinous processes of which segment of the vertebral column have long, overlapping spinous processes?
thoracic segment
thoracic vertebrae have what on the sides of their bodies?
superior and inferior demifacets
what is on the transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae?
costal facets
what is different about the articular facets in the thoracic vertebrae?
oriented in frontal plane
what is the thoracic cavity characterized for?
articulation with the ribs
which of the vertebral segments have large and heavy vertebral bodies?
lumbar
Lumbar vertebrae have ______ (shape) spinous processes projecting straight back
square
what is different about the articular processes in the lumbar vertebrae?
they curve to hold articulating surfaces in place - “grasping” articular processes
The sacrum in _____ shaped
triangularly
the base of the sacrum has a ____ degree slope upon which the disc of the 5th lumbar vertebrae is situated
30 degree
the _______ of the sacrum is analogous to spinous processes
median sacral crest
what are the anterior and posterior sacral foramina analogous to?
intervertebral foramina
the sacral canal is analogous to what?
vertebral canal
another name for the coccyx is what?
vestigial tail
which regions of the vertebral column have the most range of motion?
cervical and lumbar
why is the ROM of thoracic region limited?
due to rib attachment
what 3 things do vertebral curves do for us?
1) increase weight bearing ability
2) increase flexibility
3) allow for upright posture
at birth the vertebral column is ______ (convex/concave) posteriorly with thoracic and sacral curves present
convex
what are the 2 primary curve
thoracic and sacral curves
what are the secondary curves. why are they secondary?
cervical and lumbar - because they develop after birth
when does the cervical curve develop
3 months
when does the lumbar curve develop?
1 year +
what are the 3 postural deviation
1) lumbar lordosis
2) kyphosis
3) scoliosis
lumbar lordosis
- increased curve in lumbar vertebrae
- happens because of disease, muscular imbalance or pregnancy
kyphosis
- increased curvature of thoracic vertebrae
- happens because of osteoporosis, weak musculature or rounded shoulders
scoliosis
- lateral curvature of vertebral column
- C curve or S curve
