Vertebral Column

Question 1

Vetebrae numbers and main features

Answer 1

Cervical: 7 including atlas and axis. contain foramen transversarium and bifid articular processes

Thoratic. 12 These produce ribs

Lumbar 5 Large bodied

Sacrum 5 fused

Coccyx 4 fused.

In all, 33 vertebrae.

Question 2

Most cranial nerves are below the vertebra of the same name, why not in the case of cerviacal?

Answer 2

Because C1 corresponds developmentally to the occipital bone.

Question 3

Kyphosis

Answer 3

Primary curvature

Question 4

Lordosis

Answer 4

Secondary curvature.

Question 5

Which vertebrae show kyphosis and which vertebrae show lordosis?

Answer 5

1. Kyphosis: Thoratic and sacral
2. Lordosis: Cervical and lumbar

Question 6

Primary curvature

Answer 6

Kyphosis

Question 7

Secondary curvature.

Answer 7

Lordosis

Question 8

The vertebra is made of the

8

Answer 8

1. The body, separated by intercalated disks
2. The arch.
3. The spinal chord is inside the vertebral foramen.
4. The articular processes rise superiorly,
5. they are connected to the body by the pedicle
6. the lamina joins the two articular processes and is the root of the inferoposterior projection of the spinous process.
7. Extending to the baseo of the lamina is the inferior articular process.
8. Lateral to the articular processes are the transverse processes

Question 9

Zygophyseal joints are

2

Answer 9

1. Synovial between the inferior and superior articular joints.
2. Posterior to the intervertebral disk and intervertebral foramen for spinal chord roots.

Question 10

The intervertebral disk is

Answer 10

A cartilaginous joint between vertebral bodies. In its center is the nucleus pulposus, a remmenant of the notochord.

Question 11

1. Synovial between the inferior and superior articular joints.
2. Posterior to the intervertebral disk and intervertebral foramen for spinal chord roots.

Answer 11

Zygophyseal joints are

2

Question 12

The atlas

Answer 12

Has a facet for the occipital chondyle and a synovial facet for the dens of the axis on the interior.

It has a foramen transversarium.

It has almost no body.

It can pivot on the axis, and allows the occipital chondyle by the foramen magnum to deviate.

Question 13

The Axis

Answer 13

Has a body with a superior process to allow pivoting of the axis. (the dens)

It has no foramen transversarium.

Question 14

Features of cervicl vertebrae

4

Answer 14

1. Small body
2. Large vertebral foramen
3. Spinous processes are short and bifid (except C7)
4. Articular processes: superior and inferior facets are obliquely placed, allowing a range of neck movements.

Question 15

Features of thoratic vertebrae

6

Answer 15

1. Body - Medium
2. Vertebral foramen - Small and circular
3. Transverse processes long and strong
4. Spinous processes - long
5. Articular processes - superior and inferior facets directed antero-posteriorly.This limits freedom of movement.
6. The presense of ribs means that there are costal facets on the body and transverse facets on the transverse process.

Question 16

Lumbar Vertebrae features

Answer 16

Body, large

Vertebral foramen, triangular, smaller than cervical, larger than thoratic

transverse processes long and slender

Spinous processes short and sturdy

Articular processes - superior and inferior facets are directed medio-laterally.

Question 17

Movements permitted by zygapophysial joints

Answer 17

Cervical and lumbar : flexion and extension (medially and laterally)

Craniovertebral and thoratic joints allow rotation.

Question 18

Functions of intervertebral disk

3

Answer 18

1. Made of fibrous cartilage lamellae and nucleus pulposus
2. It each can take 5 kilorams of shock
3. It also serves as a fulcrum.

Question 19

The spinal chord terminates at

Clinical significance

Answer 19

L1 and L2

CSF samples are taken from the vertebral column below that region.