Vertebral Column

Question 1

How many vertebrae make up the vertebral column?

Answer 1

33

Question 2

Name the sections of the vertebral column and how many vertebrae they contain

Answer 2

Cervical (7)
Thoracic (12)
Lumbar (5)
Sacrum (5 fused)
Coccyx (4 fused)

Question 3

Name the general components of most of the vertebrae

Answer 3

Anterior vertebral body (increase in size as you descend the vertebral column)
Vertebral foramen (channel for spinal cord)
Superior/inferior facets (articulate with adjacent vertebrae)
Transverse processes
Posterior spinous process

Question 4

Name 4 distinct qualities of the cervical vertebrae

Answer 4

Smallest vertebrae
Bifid spinous processes (except C7)
Large triangular vertebral foramen
Transverse foramen (channels for vertebral artery and vein)

Question 5

What is the other name for C1? How does it differ to other cervical vertebrae?

Answer 5

Atlas

Has no vertebral body or spinous process

Question 6

What is the other name for C2? How does it differ to other cervical vertebrae?

Answer 6

Axis

Has a vertebral process called the Dens

Question 7

How do the C1 and C2 vertebrae interact and what are their functions?

Answer 7

C1 sits around the dens of C2 with a transverse ligament
C1-occiput articulation - nodding
C1-C2 articulation - shaking

Question 8

How does C7 differ to the other cervical vertebrae?

Answer 8

It has a long, non-bifid spinous process

Question 9

Name 3 distinct features of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 9

Small circular vertebral foramen
Demifacets/whole facets (articulate with ribs T2-T8/T10)
Costal facets on transverse processes (articulate with ribs T1-T10)

Question 10

Name 3 distinct features of lumbar vertebrae

Answer 10

Small triangular vertebral foramen
Large vertebral bodies
Large and thick spinous processes

Question 11

Describe the primary and secondary curvatures of the vertebral column

Answer 11

Primary - singular kyphosis (anteriorly concave) as foetus
Secondary - 4 curvatures
Cervical lordosis
Thoracic kyphosis
Lumbar lordosis 
Saccrococcygeal kyphosis

Question 12

Describe the ligaments of the vertebrae

Answer 12

Anterior longitudinal ligament - attaches to anterior of vertebral bodies and prevents hyperextension
Posterior longitudinal ligament - attaches to posterior of vertebral bodies and prevents hyperflexion
Ligamentum flavum - between laminae
Interspinous ligaments - attaches to spinous processes
Supraspinous ligaments - attaches to tips of spinous ligaments

Question 13

What are the 2 components of the intervertebral discs? What are their positions?

Answer 13

Nucleus pulposus (central)
Annulus fibrosus (peripheral)