vertebral column

Question 1

basics of vertebral column

Answer 1

33 (24 separate others variably fused)
5 segments - cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, coccygeal
synovial joints with fibrocartilagenous intervertebral discs
moveable vertebrae have 2 superior and 2 inferior articular facets

Question 2

functions of vertebral column

Answer 2

transmit body weight
protects spinal cord
attachment of ligaments and muscle

Question 3

curvatures of the vertebrae

Answer 3

cervical = secondary
thoracic = primary
lumbar = secondary
sacral = primary
primary - congenital
secondary - developmental

Question 4

common features of vertebrae

Answer 4

spinous process
lamina
superior/inferior articular facets
pedicle
transverse process
vertebral foramen (vertebral column narrows as you move down)
intervertebral notch (connect to form intervertebral foramen)
vertebral body

Question 5

intervertebral discs cartilage

Answer 5

annulus fibrosus - ligament holding disc in place, prevents nucleus pulposus squeezing out

Question 6

ligaments of the vertebral column (6)

Answer 6

anterior longitudinal ligament (anterior aspect of vertebral foramen)
posterior longitudinal ligament (posterior aspect of vertebral foramen)
interspinal ligament (between spinous processes)
supraspinal ligament (between bulbous ends of spinous processes)
intertranserve ligament (between transverse processes)
facet capsule ligament (around articular facets)

Question 7

joint between vertebrae and rib

Answer 7

costovertebral joint

Question 8

joint between articular processes

Answer 8

zygopophyseal joint

Question 9

joint between vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs

Answer 9

amphirarthroidal joint

Question 10

features of cervical vertebrae

Answer 10

7 vertebrae
bifid spinous process
unicate process on body 
transverse foramina
intertubecular groove

Question 11

variation in cervical vertebrae

Answer 11

C1/atlas - no body, no spinous process, superior articular facet cup shaped, anterior tubercle
C2/axis - dens, prominent spinous process
C7 - diff inf articular orientation, club like spinous process LIGAMENTUM NUCHAE,

Question 12

features of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 12

12 vertebrae
articular facets on coronal plane
spinous process inferior
superior and inferior costal demifacets 
transverse costal facets 
superior and inferior vertebral notch
heart shape to kidney shape

Question 13

variation in thoracic vertebrae

Answer 13

T1 - single whole superior costal facet
T10 - single whole superior costal facet
T11 and 12 - no transverse facet, only superior costal facet
T12/transitional - spinous process more lumbar, inf articular facets deviate laterally and curved

Question 14

features of lumber vertebrae

Answer 14

typically 5 vertebrae 
broad kidney shape
square spinous process
increasing horizontal space between articular facets
mamillary process

Question 15

variation in lumbar vertebrae

Answer 15

oval shape

pedicle almost in direct contact with the body

Question 16

features of sacral vertebrae

Answer 16

formed of 5 segments 
promontory
sacral canal
alae
median, intermediate and lateral sacral crests
anterior and posterior sacral foramina
sacral cornu
sacral hiatus
transverse ridges

Question 17

features of coccyx

Answer 17

superior cornu and superior body to articulate with sacrum

4-5 fused bodies

Question 18

vertebral defects (5)

Answer 18

accessory cervical vertebra 
abnormal curvatures - kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis
occulta spina bifida
fusion of vertebrae
segmentation

Question 19

ossification centres

Answer 19

body

2x demi-arches

Question 20

when do vertebrae fuse

Answer 20

2-7 years

Question 21

3 factors to consider when paging vertebrae

Answer 21

fusion of vertebrae
osteophytes
degeneration process