Vertebral column Flashcards
What structure guides the development of the vertebral column and spinal cord
notochord
What gives rise to the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc
notochord
Name characteristics of the cervical vertebra
rectangular body, bifid spinous, transverse foramina in transverse process with anterior and posterior tubercles
Name the characteristics of thoracic vertebra
heart shaped, costal facets on body and each transverse
name the characteristics of the lumbar vertebra
kidney-shaped, mammillary and accessory processes
Which lumbar vertebra has the longest and which has the largest transverse process
Longest: L3
Largest: L5
Describe the different atypical vertebra
C1: no body, large lateral mass, anterior arch and posterior arch with groove for vertebral a.
C2: dens (odontoid process) is present
C7: Vertebral prominens, long non-bifid spinous process
Regional orientation of the superior articular facets
Cervical: BUM
Thoracic: BUL
Lumbar: BM
Inferior articular facets face in the opposite direction
Describe the anterior longitudinal ligament
Extends from the sacrum to basal part of the occiput
thicker and stronger than posterior
prevents hyperextension of the spine
Describe the posterior longitudinal ligament
extends from C2 to the sacrum
thin and weak, prevents hyperflexion
continues as the tectorial membrane upwards and beyond C2
Describe the supraspinous ligamet
connects the tips of the spinous processes
prevents hyperflexion
continues as the NUCHAL ligament upwards and beyond C7
Describe the interspinous ligament
runs inbetween the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae
prevents posterior translation and limits flexion
Describe the ligamentum flavum ligament
extends from the laminae of adjacent veretbra
contains a lot of elastic tissue, which limits flexion and prevents buckling in extension
Describe the intertransverse ligament
runs between the transverse process of adjacent vertebrae
limits lateral bending
Describe the alar ligament
originates from the posterior and lateral aspects of the dens
inserts into the medial aspect of the condyle of the occiput
limits axial rotation
Describe the apical ligament
arises from the apex of the dens
inserts into the anterior aspect of the foramen magnum
may limit flexion and extension of C2
Describe the cruciate ligament
Composed of:
Transverse ligament - extends between colliculus atlantis
superior longitudinal - extends from the middle of the transverse to the anterior lip of the foramen membrane between the tectorial membrane and apical ligament
inferior longitudinal - ligament extends from the middle of the transverse to the body of C2
Limits lateral translation
Describe the composition of the intervertebral disc
Fibrocartilaginous sandwich with outer type I and inner type II collagen fibers
Describe the outer part of the intervertebral disc
Called the anulus fibrosus which has 15 to 20 concentric laminae angled at 65 degrees
Describe the inner part of the intervertebral disc
Called the nucleus pulposus, has a gelatinous consistency, contains proteoglycans to attract water, thickest in the lumbar and thinnest in the thoracics
What part of the intervertebral disc is innervated
outer 1/3 of the annlus fibrosus
sinuvertebral (recurrent meningeal) posteriorly and sensory nerves from the grey sympathetic communicantes anterolaterally
Describe the vascularity and nourishment of the intervertebral disc
it is not well-vascularized, it is nourished by diffusion (imbibition) that is facilitated by movement of the spine
How many intervertebral discs are there
23 since there is no disc between C1 and C2
What are the contents of the IVF
contains spinal nerve, spinal nerve roots, dorsal root ganglion, spinal artery, veins, two to four sinuvertebral a. fat and transforaminal ligaments
