Vertebral column Flashcards
How many vertebrae in each type of column?
C-7 T-12 L-5 S-5 (fused) Co-4 (fused)
What are 4 curvatures of the vertebral column?
Primary or secondary?
- cervical lordosis (2ndary)
- thoracic kyphosis (primary)
- lumbar lordosis (2ndary)
- sacral kyphosis (primary)
Main distinguishing characteristics from 3 vertebral regions?
C-has transverse foramina, smallest body
T-has costal facets
L-has largest body
What is a cervical rib?
Extra rib articulating w/C7, may need to be removed.
What is a lumbar rib?
Extra rib articulating w/L1
What is sacralization?
L5 is partially incorporated into the sacrum
What is lumbarization?
S1 is partially separated from the rest of the sacrum
Characteristics of joints of the vertebral bodies:
INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS
- secondary cartilaginous (fibrous) joints designed for weigh-bearing/strength
- connected by intervertebral discs & ligaments
Intervertebral discs consist of:
- annulus fibrosis: composed of outer concentric lamellae of fibrocartilage
- nucleus pulposis: gelatinous central mass/core
What are the joints of the vertebral arches called. What type of joint are they?
Zygapophysial joints AKA facet joints
-plane synovial joints (some gliding & sliding, each surrounded by thin joint capsule)
Anterior longitudinal ligament (of vertebral column)
Connects anterior vertebral column and IV discs
Posterior longitudinal ligament (of vertebral column)
Connects posterior vertebral column and IV discs (it’s w/in the vertebral canal)
Ligamentum flavum (of vertebral column)
Connects adjacent vertebral laminae
-flava = “yellow elastic tissue”
Interspinus ligament (of vertebral column)
connect vertebral spines
Supraspinous ligament (of vertebral column)
connects vertebral spinous tips
Intertransverse ligament (of vertebral column)
connects vertebral transverse processes
Ligamentum nuchae (of vertebral column) AKA nuchal ligament
Essentially a continuation of the supraspinous ligament, it’s a strong triangular ligament at the back of the neck
The spinal cord ends at a structure called the __________. What vertebral level does it go to in adults/children?
- Conus medullaris
- Adults: L1 or L2; children: L3
What are the 3 crevices of the spinal cord?
Posterior median sulcus
Posterolateral sulcus
Anterior median fissure
Where is the cervical enlargement? What do they generally innervate?
C5-T1 spinal nerve origins (innervate UEs)
Where is the lumbosacral enlargement? What do they generally innervate?
L1-S3 spinal nerve origins (innervate LEs)
What aa. supply the spinal cord?
1 anterior spinal a. and 2 posterior spinal aa. (which are branches of the vertebral a.).
As they descend the cord, they receive blood from the radicular aa.
Explain venous drainage of the spinal cord.
Longitudinal channels drain into an extensive internal vertebral venous plexus in the epidural space of the vertebral canal.
Where is dura mater & arachnoid mater located over the spinal cord?
Foramen magnum –> S2
Which layer does CSF circulate?
Subarachnoid space
Where does the pia mater transition to the filum terminale? What is filum terminale composed of?
- L1
- Pia & dura mater (mostly pia)
Where does the filum terminale start and end? What are in it?
-Conus medullaris –> coccyx
What is a denticulate ligament?
- A toothed ligament formed by pia mater. Extends laterally, pierces arachnoid to be attached to the dura b/w the spinal roots.
- May provide stability to the spinal cord
Where is an ideal spot for an LP? Where does the spinal cord end in adults?
- L3/L4
- Ends at L1/L2 in adults
Name the layers of the vertebral canal, starting superficially.
- Epidural space
- Dura mater
- Subdural space
- Arachnoid mater
- Subarachnoid space w/CSF
- Pia mater
- Spinal cord & cauda equina
Anterior/ventral nerve roots tend to be ____________ (fcn), while posterior/dorsal nerve roots tend to be ________________(fcn).
- Efferent (Motor)
- Afferent (Sensory)
What are spinal nerves?
Where dorsal nerve roots and ventral nerve roots mix; divide into posterior ramus & anterior ramus
Dorsal ramus conveys info to:
-Motor and sensory to and from back skin & intrinsic back mm.
Ventral ramus conveys info to:
-Motor and sensory to all skin except back; skeletal mm. of the neck, limbs, & trunk
