vertebral column

Question 1

in adults, which regions of the vertebral column undergo primary curvature (posterior to gravity line, with concave side facing anteriorly, as one would expect due to curvature of foetal position)

Answer 1

thoracic, sacral (lower lumbar and upper sacral region is therefore weak)

Question 2

in adults, which regions of the vertebral column undergo secondary curvature (anterior to gravity line, with concave facing posteriorly to allow straight standing)

Answer 2

cervical, lumbar

Question 3

excessive kyphosis

Answer 3

excessive thoracic posterior curvature (hunchback); common in elderly due to degenerative changes in spine over many years, and in Parkinson’s patients; can compress organs in thoracic cavity

Question 4

excessive lordosis

Answer 4

excessive lumbar anterior curvature; common in pregnant women and obese people to counteract weight and keep centre of gravity backwards

Question 5

scoliosis

Answer 5

sideways (lateral) curvature of spine, causing chronic pain; more obvious when bent forwards; usually congenital but can become present in females at puberty (hormonally related); can compress organs in thoracic cavity; treated with brace if not severe, but with rods and screws if severe

Question 6

how many vertebrae are there

Answer 6

33

Question 7

distribution of vertebrae; when is palpation of vertebrae easier

Answer 7

7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused), 4 coccygeal (fused); palpation easier when patient assumes foetal position

Question 8

diagram of typical vertebrae; what are the atypical vertebrae

Answer 8

atypical vertebrae are C1 and C2

Question 9

typical vertebrae: function of vertebral body

Answer 9

major weight bearing part

Question 10

typical vertebrae: what makes up the vertebral arch and what does it form

Answer 10

contains bilateral lamina, spinous process, bilateral pedicles; roof of vertebral canal

Question 11

typical vertebrae: why does vertebral arch have projections

Answer 11

for attachment of muscles and ligaments

Question 12

typical vertebrae: why does vertebral arch have sites of articulation

Answer 12

contains superior and inferior articular processes for connection to adjacent veterbrae (difficult to turn sideways as vertical)

Question 13

typical vertebrae: function of pedicles

Answer 13

anchor vertebral arch to vertebral body

Question 14

typical cervical vertebrae

Answer 14

• have transverse foramen in sides for vertebral arteries to travel up to brain through foramen magnum

Question 15

typical thoracic vertebrae

Answer 15

• vertebral body is heart-shaped

Question 16

typical lumbar vertebrae

Answer 16

• vertebral body is kidney shaped (larger so able to weight bear)

Question 17

atypical vertebrae: C1 (atlas) superior view

Answer 17

Question 18

atypical vertebrae: C2 posterosuperior view

Answer 18

Question 19

features different in C1 vertebra: superior articular surfaces

Answer 19

2 facets of skull sitting on 2 superior articular surfaces as atlanto-occipital joint for “yes” movement

Question 20

features different in C1 vertebra: vertebral body and reason

Answer 20

no vertebral body as vertebral body connected to vertebra below (C2), creating atlanto-axial “no” joint

Question 21

features different in C1 vertebra: drawbacks of dens of C2 being huge superiorly pointing structure

Answer 21

if extreme flexion or extension, odontoid peg (dens) can break free of ligaments and crush spinal cord or lower part of medulla coming outside of foramen magnum

Question 22

features different in C1 vertebra: posterior

Answer 22

no spinous process

Question 23

features different in C1 vertebra: 3 foramen and function

Answer 23

large vertebral foramen for spinal cord, foramen for dens of axis (“C1 vertebral body” on C2), bilateral transverse foramen for vertebral arteries supplying head and neck (present in all cervical vertebrae)

Question 24

features different in C1 vertebra: what separates foramen for dens and vertebral foramen

Answer 24

transverse ligament of atlas

Question 25

C1 vertebra vulnerability

Answer 25

vulnerable to fracture especially in car accidents, causing death or paralysis

Question 26

features different in C2 vertebra (axis): dens

Answer 26

dens (odontoid peg) sits on top of vertebral body of C2, acting as C1 vertebral body and allowing atlanto-axial joint for “no” movement