Vertebral Column

Question 1

How many vertebral bodies are there?

Name how many are in each “section”

Answer 1

33 total

• 7 cervical
• 12 thoracic
• 5 lumbar
• 5 sacral (fused)
• 4 coccygeal (fuse after 30)

Question 2

Answer 2

Question 3

Answer 3

Question 4

Answer 4

Question 5

What kind a Vertabra is this?

how can you tell?

Answer 5

Typical cervical vertebra

(C3-C7)

can tell by: transverse foramnen

Question 6

Which Vertebra is this?

Answer 6

atlas

Question 7

Which vertebrae is this? name the parts

Answer 7

Question 8

What is the joint between C1 and C2?

Answer 8

Atlanto-axial joint

Question 9

what are the parts of the IV disks?

Answer 9

• Anulus fibrosis “donut” outter part connecting adjacent vertebrae
• Nucleus pulposus “jelly” semi gelatinous middle that acts as a shock absorber

Question 10

Answer 10

Question 11

What is the nuchal ligament?

Answer 11

• ligament from external occipital protuberance to C7
• attaches to the spinous process of the cervical vertebrae
• allows for back muscle attachments where spinous processes are shorter

Question 12

Conus medullaris vs cauda equina

Location of Conus medullaris in adults and neonates

Answer 12

1. Conus Medullaris: end of spinal cord that is cone shaped
   
   1. adult: L1/L2
   2. Neonate: L3/L4
2. Cauda equina: “horses tail” spinal nerve roots that come off the conus medullaris to their IV foramen exit

Question 13

What is the Lumbar Cistern, dural sac, filum terminale

Answer 13

1. Lumbar cistern:
   
   1. site of lumbar puncture
   2. enlargement between conus medularis (L2) and dural sac (S2)
2. Dural Sac
   
   1. dura mater surrounding the cauda equina (S2)
3. Filum Terminale
   
   1. continuation of Conus medularis to coccyx (tether)