Vertebral Column

Question 1

What is vertebral column and functions?

Answer 1

The spinal column!

Giraffe like 
Protection for spinal cord and surrounding meninges, and spinal nerves
Supports weight of body 
Site of muscle attachment 
Controls and limits torso movement

Question 2

What are the 5 different types of vertebrae and how many in each type?

Answer 2

Cervical 7
Thoracic 12
Lumbar 5
Sacral 5
Coccygeal 1-4

Question 3

What are the 5 sacral vertebrae fused into?

Answer 3

Sacrum

Question 4

What are the 1-4 coccygeal vertebrae fused into?

Answer 4

Coccyx

Question 5

What seperates vertebrae?

Answer 5

Intervertebral discs

Question 6

Which 2 types of vertebrae concave anteriorly?

Bend with middle protruding posteriorly

Answer 6

Thoracic and sacral

Question 7

What are the primary curvatures? (Develop during fetal period)

Answer 7

Thoracic and sacral

Question 8

Which 2 types of vertebrae concave posteriorly?

Bend with middle protruding anteriorly

Answer 8

Cervical (prominent after child holds head up)

Lumbar (prominent after child walks)

Question 9

Name 7 structures of a typical vertebra (superiorly)

Answer 9

Vertebral body
Pedicle & Lamina (vertebral (neural) arch))
Spinous process
Transverse process
Superior articular process (articulates with vertebra above)
Vertebral foramen (passage for spinal cord in single vertebrae)

Question 10

What forms the intervertebral foramen and what is its purpose?

Answer 10

Inferior vertebral notch and superior vertebral notch. For spinal nerves to exit.

Question 11

What’s difference between vertebral foramen and vertebral canal?

Answer 11

Foramen is an opening by single vertebra.

Canal is an opening by 2 or more vertebrae.

Question 12

What makes up vertebral arch?

Answer 12

Laminas and pedicles

Question 13

Cervical vertebrae characteristics

Answer 13

Small body
C² - C6 bifid spinous process
Transverse foramena (for vertebral arteries)

Question 14

Atlas characteristics

Answer 14

No spinous process.
Oval or ring like
Creates “yes” motion when C1 articulates with occipital condyles of skull

Question 15

Axis characteristics

Answer 15

DENS (body of C1) (action of rotation “no” movement)

Strongest vertebrae

Question 16

Thoracic characteristics

Answer 16

Sharp/long spinous process that projects inferiorly
Heart shaped body
* Costal facets (point of articulation with rib)

Question 17

Lumbar vertebrae characteristics

Answer 17

Largest body

Looks like moose

Question 18

Sacrum characteristics (anteriorly)

Answer 18

Ala (wing)
Sacral promontory (prominent feature in anterior aspect) (anterior border of S1)
Anterior sacral foramina

Question 19

What is the junction between L5 and S1?

Answer 19

Lumbosacral angle

Question 20

What is the concavity of the sacrum called?

Answer 20

Sacral angle

Question 21

What is the transverse foramen in cervical vertebra for?

Answer 21

Vertebral arteries to pass through.

Question 22

What creates yes motion

What creates no.

Answer 22

Atlas (C1) articulating with the occipital condyle 
DENS axis (supported by ligaments)

Question 23

What attaches rib to thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 23

Costal facets (areas on giraffe! Remember for test)

Question 24

What is ala and where is it found?

Answer 24

Fused transverse process remnants

Wing of sacrum

Question 25

What distinguishes the anterior and posterior sacrum?

Answer 25

Anterior: sacral promonotory anterior Posterior: medial sacral crest (formed by spinous processes of S1-S3)

Question 26

What is the articulation at sacrum. What are the names?

Answer 26

Illium and auricular surface

Question 27

Spinous process of 4 and 5 failed to form. What is the name of space?

Answer 27

Sacral hiatus

Question 28

What is the portion of fused spinous process on the sacrum called?

Answer 28

The median sacral crest

Question 29

What joins with the ilium to form a joint?

Answer 29

Auricular surface

Question 30

What is the name of the upside down U shape at last sacral vertebra?

Answer 30

Sacral hiatus

Question 31

What is at the top of sacrum structure?

Answer 31

Sacral promontory

Question 32

What is the outer layer of intervertebral disc called?

Answer 32

Annulus Fibrosus

Question 33

What is the inner part of intervertebral discs called?

Answer 33

Nucleus pulposus

Question 34

Function of annulus Fibrosus?

Answer 34

Strengthens disc

Question 35

Function of nucleus pulposus?

Answer 35

Gives disc elasticity and flexibility

Question 36

What is the name of the structure that keeps the spine from hyperflexion.

Answer 36

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 37

What is the name of the structure that keeps the spine from hyperextension.

Answer 37

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 38

What happens when vertebral disc herniates?

Answer 38

Annulus Fibrosus weakens Nucleus pulposus will protrude (herniate) Compression of spinal nerves

Question 39

What is the crooked or curved back called? (S shaped)

Answer 39

Scoliosis

Question 40

What causes scoliosis?

Answer 40

Weakness in intrinsic back muscles (myopathic) Failure of half of vertebrae to develop (hemivertebta) Difference in length of limbs

Question 41

What is the abnormal curvature commonly called "hunchback"?

Answer 41

Kyphosis

Question 42

Causes of kyphosis?

Answer 42

``` Segmentation of anterior Body of vertebra Fracture Congenital defects Osteoporosis -Dowagers hump in FM Occurs in geriatric people of both sexes ```

Question 43

Abnormal curvature of lumbar region common during pregnancy.

Answer 43

Lordosis

Question 44

Causes of lordosis?

Answer 44

Weakening of anterolateral abdominal wall | Common during pregnancy