Vertebral Column Flashcards
Vertebral Column Info
Together with the sternum and ribs constitutes the skeleton of the trunk (axial skeleton)
The axial skeleton also includes the skull, hyoid bone, sternum, and ribs
Function of vertebral column
Posture and movements
Support and protection
Rib and muscle attachments
5 groups
Cervical C1-C7 Thoracic T1-T12 Lumbar L1-L5 Sacral S1-S5 Coccygeal Co1-Co4
A typical vertebrae consists of…
Body
Vertebral Arch
Body
heavy heart shaped or oval anterior part
Missing in C1
Fused in sacral and coccygeal vertebrae
Get larger from C3 to S1
Vertebral Arch
Posterior part of vertebrae Attached to body; encloses the vertebral foramen Protects the spinal cord and spinal nerves Consists of: Pedicles Laminae Spinous Process Transverse Processes Articular Processes
Pedicles
2
Attached to body, continuous posteriorly with laminae
Contain the superior and inferior vertebral notches
Form intervertebral foramina with adjacent vertebrae
Laminae
2
Thin plates
Continue posteriorly and join to each other
Give rise to the spinous process
Spinous Process
1
Project posteriorly or posteroinferiorly
Serve for attachments of ligaments and muscles
Transverse Processes
2
Project laterally from junction of pedicles and laminae
Provide place for muscle and ligament attachments
Articular Processes
(zygaphphyses) arise from the junction of pedicles and laminae
2 superior - directed dorsally
2 inferior - directed ventrally, superior facet of one vertebrae articulates with the inferior facet of the one above to form the zygophyseal joint (joint between vertebrae)
Cervical Vertebrae
Typical are C3-C7 Atypical are C1 and C2 From skeleton of neck Vertebral bodies are small Transverse foramen C1-C6 Bifid spinous processes in C3-C5 are short Vertebrae prominens (spine of C7)
C1
Atlas
Articulates with the skull superiorly
No body - during development its body becomes the dens of C2
Anterior arch - contains anterior tubercle
Posterior arch - contains posterior tubercle
Lateral masses contain superior and inferior articular facets
Transverse process contains the transverse foramen
C2
Axis
Dens articulates with the anterior arch of C1
Contains transverse process, a delicate spinous process, and a small body
Vertebra Prominens
C7
Large spinous process similar to thoracic vertebrae
Transverse foramen may be absent
No costal facets