Vertebral Column

Question 1

The principal roles of the Vertebral column

Answer 1

• Protect the spinal cord

- Transfer loads from the Head, Trunk, and Upper Limbs to the PELVIS

Question 2

Regions of the vertebral column and how many bones they have.

Answer 2

5 total

1. Cervical (7)
2. Thoracic (12)
3. Lumbar (5)
4. Sacral (5)
5. Coccygeal (3-4)

Question 3

What are the 5 palpable landmarks?

Answer 3

1. Cervicothoracic jt (C7)
2. Scapular spine (T3)
3. Inf. Scapular Angle (T7)
4. 12th Rib (T12)
5. Iliac crest (L4)

Question 4

The vertebra is _______ coming off the AORTA

Answer 4

Highly vascularized

Question 5

Primary curvatures

Answer 5

• Present at BIRTH
• “C” shaped
• Thoracic & Sacral

Question 6

Secondary Curvatures

Answer 6

• Acquired later in life
• ConCAVE Posteriorly
• Ex: Cervical and Lumbar

Question 7

Exaggerations of Primary and Secondary

Answer 7

1: Kyphosis (Bent over)

2. Lordosis (Butt stuck out)

Question 8

Functions of C1

Answer 8

Aka “Atlas”

• Supports the scull
• Responsible for the “Yes” motion of the head

Question 9

Functions of C2

Answer 9

Aka “Axis”

• Responsible for the “No” movement of the skull (Side-to-side)

Question 10

Dens

Answer 10

• Derived from the body of the ATLAS

- But fused to the AXIS (C2)

Question 11

What is the positioning of the Superior Costal demifacet?

Answer 11

Up and In

Question 12

What is the positioning of the Inferior Costal demifacet?

Answer 12

Down and Out

Question 13

Atypical thoracic vertebra #1

Answer 13

• Complete costal facet for rib 1

- Inf Costal Demifacet on body for rib 2

Question 14

Characteristics of the Lumbar Vertebra

Answer 14

• Large, bulky body
• BROAD spinous process
• NO Rib articulations

Question 15

The Articular facets on a Lumbar Vertebra are _____.

Answer 15

Sagittal

Question 16

Characteristics of the Sacrum

Answer 16

• Consist of 3-5 FUSED vertebrae

- “wing-like” processes

Question 17

Flexion and Extension occur primarily in the _____ region.

Answer 17

Lumbar

Question 18

Rotation of the upper trunk occurs primarily in the ______ region.

Answer 18

Thoracic

Question 19

The intervertebral disc are THICKER in what region?

Answer 19

Cervical and Lumbar regions

• Allow more FLEXIBILITY

Question 20

The intervertebral disc are THINNER in what region?

Answer 20

Thoracic

Question 21

What kind of joints are at the Intervertebral articulations?

Answer 21

Plane, Synovial

Question 22

What are the 6 main ligaments in the vertebral column?

Answer 22

1. Ant. Longitudinal
2. Post. Longitudinal
3. Supra-spinous
4. Inter-spinous
5. Ligamentum Flavum
6. Inter-Transverse

“Autumn Pig Swim In Large Intervals”

Question 23

Fxn of the Ant. Longitudinal Ligament?

Answer 23

• Limit EXTENTION
• Reinforces Ant. Annulus fibers

Think “A&E”

Question 24

Fxn of the Post. Longitudinal Ligament?

Answer 24

• Limits FLEXION
• Reinforces Post annulus fibers

Think “PF Changs”

Question 25

Fxn of the Supra-spinous Ligament

Answer 25

• Ligamentum nuchae (neck)

- Yellow elastic tissue

Question 26

Fxn of the Inter-spinous Ligament

Answer 26

• Limits Flexion
• Base of the Spinous Process to the next spinous process

Think “IF”

Question 27

Fxn of the Ligamentum Flavum

Answer 27

• Limits Flexion
• Extends from Lamina to Lamina
• Forms part of the roof of the vertebral canal

Question 28

Inter-transverse Ligaments are located primarily where?

Answer 28

Lumbar region

Question 29

What ligaments are responsible for limiting Extension?

Answer 29

The ANT. Longitudinal ligament

Question 30

What ligaments are responsible for limiting Flexion?

Answer 30

3 total

1. POST. Longitudinal
2. Inter-Spinous
3. Ligamentum Flavum

“Flex your LIPs”