Vertebral column

Question 1

Function of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

• Acts as a support to the head + neck.
• Provides posture in sitting and standing.
• Protects spinal cord.

Question 2

Name the parts of the vertebral column?

Answer 2

• Cervical = 7 moveable
• Thoracic = 12 moveable
• Lumbar = 5 moveable
• Sacral = 5 fused
• Coccygeal = 4 fused

e.g. C5 and T10

Question 3

Name the three spinal curves?

Answer 3

• Kyphosis = Curve at thoracic
• Lordosis = Curve at lordosis
• Scoliosis = Curve laterally

Question 4

Identify a typical vertebra?

Answer 4

Process = boney projection
Facet = Smooth boney surface.

• Body
• Pedicles
• Lamina
• Spinous process
• Transverse process

Question 5

Describe the body of a vertebra?

Answer 5

• It transfers weight along the axis of vertebral column.
• Interconnected by ligaments.

(Big spongy part)

Question 6

Describe the pedicles of a vertebra?

Answer 6

• The first part projecting from the body.

- Gaps between pedicles are intervertebral foramina.

Question 7

Describe the lamina of a vertebra?

Answer 7

• Projects back from the pedicles.

- These are fused at the mid-line.

Question 8

Describe the spinuous process of a vertebra?

Answer 8

-Projects posterior to the mid-line.

Question 9

Describe the transverse processes of the vertebra?

Answer 9

• Project laterally on both sides (like little ears).

- Articulate with the ribs in the thoracic region.

Question 10

Describe the articular processes of the vertebra?

Answer 10

• Arise from pedicles/laminae junction.
• Superior and inferior AP.
• Each has a polished surface called an articular FACET.
• Inferior AF of vertebrae articulates with the below superior AF.

Question 11

Describe C1 the ‘atlas’?

Answer 11

• Ring shaped.
• Superior articular facets articulate with occipital condyles of the skull.
• Form atlanto-occipital joints.
• IAF with SAF of C2.

Question 12

Describe C2 the ‘axis’?

Answer 12

• Has projection on upper of body.
• Held against anterior aspect of body of C1 by ligaments.
• SAF articulate with IAF of C1, IAF articulates with SAF of C3.
• Vertebral body articulates with VB of C3, forming the first interbertebral joint.

Question 13

Desribe C7 - the vertebra prominens?

Answer 13

-Long spinous process which is used as a landmark as can be felt under the skin.

Question 14

Describe the sacrum?

Answer 14

• 5 sacral segments fused in to one.
• The SA of 1st sacral articulates with IA of L5 forming the lumbosacral joint.
• IA of 5th articulates with base of coccyx forming the sacrococcygeal joint.
• Lateral aspect is auricular facet which articulates with the ilium forming sacroiliac joint.

Question 15

Describe the coccyx?

Answer 15

• Between 3-5 fused, superior aspect is base.

- Articulates with the apex of the sacrum.

Question 16

Describe the atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 16

• Synovial ellipsoid joints.

- Superior articular facets of C1 and condyles of occipital bone.

Question 17

Describe the median atlanto-axial joint?

Answer 17

• Synovial pivot joint.

- Odontoid process of C2 articulates with body of C1.

Question 18

Describe the lateral atlanto-axial joint?

Answer 18

-The articulation between the inferior and superior surfaces.

Question 19

Describe the facet (zygapophyseal) joints?

Answer 19

• Between superior and inferior facets!!

- Gliding movements.

Question 20

Name the ligaments in the spine?

Answer 20

• Supraspinous; connects spinous processes.
• Interspinous; connects adjacent spinous processes.
• Intertransverse; connects adjacent transverse processes.
• Flavum; connects adjacent laminae.

Question 21

Describe the intervertebral joints?

Answer 21

-Inferior and superior aspect of vertebral body.

Ligaments:

• anterior longitudinal; extends from occipital bone to sacrum.
• Posterior longitudinal; extends from body of C2 to sacrum.

Question 22

Describe the costovertebral joints?

Answer 22

• Synovial plane joints.
• Articulates with head of the rib with costal facets on adjacent vertebrae.
• e.g. 1 st rib articulates with T1.
• Ligament from head of rib to body of vertebrae.

Question 23

Describe the costotransverse joints?

Answer 23

• Synovial plane joints.

- Articulates with tubercle of the rib with transverse costal facet.