Vertebral Column Flashcards
What are the functions of the vertebral column?
Support weight
Houses and protects spinal cord
Permits movements
Provides for muscle attachments
What is the sagittal plane?
Divides body in right and left parts
What is the coronal plane?
Divides the body into front and back parts
What is the horizontal plane?
Also called transverse plane and cross section
Divides the body into top and bottom parts
What is the primary spinal curvature?
Concave anterior
Retained in thoracic and sacral regions
What is the secondary spinal curvature?
Concave posterior
Cervical - holds up head
Lumbar - supports body
What is the normal lateral spinal curvature?
Concave away from the side of handedness
In cervical and lumbar portions mainly
Aid in lifting heavy objects
What is kyphosis?
Exaggerated concave anterior in the thoracic region
Osteoporosis etc.
“hump”
What is scoliosis?
Exaggerated Lateral curvature
Thoracic, lumbar are most common
Can be caused by a hemivertebra
What is Lordosis?
Exaggerated concave posterior
lumbar - normal in pregnancy
Can be caused by obesity
Describe cervical vertebra
Features: Small bodies, Foramina transversaria
Articular Process: Slanted superiorly and medially
Movements: Flex-extended, Lateral Flex, Rotate
What are the three special cervical vertebrae?
C1 - atlas, no body
C2 - axis, dens process
C7 - vertebra prominens
Describe thoracic vertebra.
Features: Facits for ribs on bodies, transverse processes
Articular Process: Coronal plane
Movement: Only small rotate, movement is mostly restricted
Describe Lumbar vertebrae
Features: Large bodies
Articular processes: Sagittal plane
Movement: Flex-extend, no rotation
Describe sacral vertebrae
Fused
Normally no movement
