Vertebral Column Flashcards
Why is the hyoid bone special
It is the only bone in the body that isn’t directly attached to another bone
What are the 4 functions of the vertebral column
Support (head and trunk); protection (spinal cord); locomotion (joint movement); systemic (haematopoiesis/calcium store)
What is haematopoiesis
Creation of new blood cells (red and white)
How many vertebrae are there
33
Split the vertebrae up into their groups
7 cervical; 12 thoracic; 5 lumbar; 5 sacral (fused to form 1 sacrum); 4 coccygeal (fused to form 1 coccyx)
What is a primary curvature called
Kyphosis (concave)
What is a secondary curvature called
Lordosis (convex)
What does the C1 vertebrae have and not have that makes it different
Anterior and posterior arch; does not have a body or spinous process
Describe the structure of thoracic vertebrae
Long with inferiorly angled spinous processes
Where do the ribs articulate on the thoracic vertebrae
Vertebral body and transverse processes
How many pairs of ribs do we have
12
What ribs are true ribs and explain why
1-7; attach via their costal cartilage to the sternum
What ribs are false ribs and explain why
8-10; attach via the costal cartilage above them to the sternum
What ribs are floating ribs and explain why
11 and 12; no attachment to the sternum
Where does the sacral vertebrae articulate with the pelvis
Sacroiliac joint
Where do intervertebral foramen form and what are they used for
Between adjacent vertebrae; spinal nerves emerge through them
What vertebrae do not have intervertebral discs
C1; C2; sacrum; coccyx
What is the function of intervertebral discs
To absorb forces
What is the outer ring of intervertebral discs called
Anulus fibrosus
What is the fibrogelatinous centre of intervertebral discs called
Nucleus pulposus
Where does the spinal cord persist to
Approx. L2 (adults)
What arises from the cord at each level
A pair of spinal nerves; exit via intervertebral foramina
What is the function of ligaments in the vertebral column
To stabilise joints and discus during movement
What are the 2 ligaments called in the vertebral column
Anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL); posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL)
What are 3 abnormal vertebral curves
Thoracic kyphosis (hunchback); lumbar lordosis (pregnancy); scoliosis (lateral deviation)
