Vertebral column Flashcards
What structures does the back include?
skin subcutaneous tissue vertebral column spinal cord and meninges ribs nerves and vessels muscles
What are the different types of vertebrae and how many of them are there?
cervical (7) thoracic (12) lumbar (5) Sacrum (5 fused) coccyx (4 fused)
What are the primary curvatures of the vertebral column?
thoracic and sacral kyphosis
what are the secondary curvatures of the vertebral column?
Cervical and lumbar lordosis
What is the general plan of a vertebrae?
Body Vertebral arch - pedicles - lamina Articular facets - superior - inferior Processes - transverse - spinous Vertebral foramen
What passes through the intervertebral foramen?
The spinal nerve
What are the characteristics of a cervical vertebrae?
small body with elevated uncus
Transverse processes and pedicle with ant and post tubercles
transverse foramina
articular facets - superior directed superioposteriorly
inferior directed infero-anteriorly
spinous process bifid
What is the function of the transverse foramina?
passage of vertebral artery and vein to/from brain = not C7
Describe the Atlas (C1)
no spinous process or body
anterior and posterior arches which have a tubercle and a lateral mass
tubercle on each medial surface of lateral mass for transverse ligament that holds dens of axis
Describe the axis (C2)
two large flat surfaces the superior articular facets upon which the atlas rotates
dens
held in position by transverse ligament of the atlas which prevents horizontal displacement of the atlas
What causes a dens fracture?
bone less dense
hyperflexion or hyperextension
spinal cord not usually affected due to transverse ligament
What causes a dislocation of a cervical vertebrae?
relatively flat articular facet
prone to dislocation
vertebral foramen wide so may not cause compression of spinal cord
Describe a thoracic vertebrae
Heart shaped body
superior and inferior costal demi facets
spinous process long
costal facet on transverse process
Costovertebral joint
head of rib articulates with superior demi facet of same vertebrae and inferior demifacet of rib above
Describe a lumbar vertebrae
large vertebral body
superior facets face medially
inferior facets face laterally
spinous processes short
What is spondylolithesis
movement of one vertebra on another
What are the joints called between the superior and inferior articular facets?
Zygapophysial
What are the movements possible at the vertebral column?
Extension, flexion, lateral flexion, rotation
What is the annulus fibrosis?
peripheral fibrocartilage ring attached to rim of vertebral body
what is the nucleus pulposus?
central gelatinous substance that acts as shock absorber
what does the thickness determine?
flexibility
What is the ligamentum flavum?
binds lamina of adjacent vertebrae
resist hyperflexion
What is the anterior longitudinal ligamant
runs from occipital bone and C1 to sacrum
resists hyperextension of vertebral column
What is the interspinous ligament?
between spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae
