Vertebral Column Flashcards
The principal roles of the Vertebral column
- Protect the spinal cord
- Transfer loads from the Head, Trunk, and Upper Limbs to the PELVIS
Regions of the vertebral column and how many bones they have.
5 total
- Cervical (7)
- Thoracic (12)
- Lumbar (5)
- Sacral (5)
- Coccygeal (3-4)
What are the 5 palpable landmarks?
- Cervicothoracic jt (C7)
- Scapular spine (T3)
- Inf. Scapular Angle (T7)
- 12th Rib (T12)
- Iliac crest (L4)
The vertebra is _______ coming off the AORTA
Highly vascularized
Primary curvatures
- Present at BIRTH
- “C” shaped
- Thoracic & Sacral
Secondary Curvatures
- Acquired later in life
- ConCAVE Posteriorly
- Ex: Cervical and Lumbar
Exaggerations of Primary and Secondary
1: Kyphosis (Bent over)
2. Lordosis (Butt stuck out)
Functions of C1
Aka “Atlas”
- Supports the scull
- Responsible for the “Yes” motion of the head
Functions of C2
Aka “Axis”
- Responsible for the “No” movement of the skull (Side-to-side)
Dens
- Derived from the body of the ATLAS
- But fused to the AXIS (C2)
What is the positioning of the Superior Costal demifacet?
Up and In
What is the positioning of the Inferior Costal demifacet?
Down and Out
Atypical thoracic vertebra #1
- Complete costal facet for rib 1
- Inf Costal Demifacet on body for rib 2
Characteristics of the Lumbar Vertebra
- Large, bulky body
- BROAD spinous process
- NO Rib articulations
The Articular facets on a Lumbar Vertebra are _____.
Sagittal
Characteristics of the Sacrum
- Consist of 3-5 FUSED vertebrae
- “wing-like” processes
Flexion and Extension occur primarily in the _____ region.
Lumbar
Rotation of the upper trunk occurs primarily in the ______ region.
Thoracic
The intervertebral disc are THICKER in what region?
Cervical and Lumbar regions
- Allow more FLEXIBILITY
The intervertebral disc are THINNER in what region?
Thoracic
What kind of joints are at the Intervertebral articulations?
Plane, Synovial
What are the 6 main ligaments in the vertebral column?
- Ant. Longitudinal
- Post. Longitudinal
- Supra-spinous
- Inter-spinous
- Ligamentum Flavum
- Inter-Transverse
“Autumn Pig Swim In Large Intervals”
Fxn of the Ant. Longitudinal Ligament?
- Limit EXTENTION
- Reinforces Ant. Annulus fibers
Think “A&E”
Fxn of the Post. Longitudinal Ligament?
- Limits FLEXION
- Reinforces Post annulus fibers
Think “PF Changs”
Fxn of the Supra-spinous Ligament
- Ligamentum nuchae (neck)
- Yellow elastic tissue
Fxn of the Inter-spinous Ligament
- Limits Flexion
- Base of the Spinous Process to the next spinous process
Think “IF”
Fxn of the Ligamentum Flavum
- Limits Flexion
- Extends from Lamina to Lamina
- Forms part of the roof of the vertebral canal
Inter-transverse Ligaments are located primarily where?
Lumbar region
What ligaments are responsible for limiting Extension?
The ANT. Longitudinal ligament
What ligaments are responsible for limiting Flexion?
3 total
- POST. Longitudinal
- Inter-Spinous
- Ligamentum Flavum
“Flex your LIPs”
