vertebral column Flashcards
vertebrae: describe the main anatomical features of the vertebrae (typical vs. atypical), identify the vertebrae and recognise their characteristic features
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)
thoracic, sacral (lower lumbar and upper sacral region is therefore weak)
in adults, which regions of the vertebral column undergo secondary curvature (anterior to gravity line, with concave facing posteriorly to allow straight standing)
cervical, lumbar
excessive kyphosis
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
excessive lordosis
excessive lumbar anterior curvature; common in pregnant women and obese people to counteract weight and keep centre of gravity backwards
scoliosis
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
how many vertebrae are there
33
distribution of vertebrae; when is palpation of vertebrae easier
7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused), 4 coccygeal (fused); palpation easier when patient assumes foetal position
diagram of typical vertebrae; what are the atypical vertebrae
atypical vertebrae are C1 and C2
typical vertebrae: function of vertebral body
major weight bearing part
typical vertebrae: what makes up the vertebral arch and what does it form
contains bilateral lamina, spinous process, bilateral pedicles; roof of vertebral canal
typical vertebrae: why does vertebral arch have projections
for attachment of muscles and ligaments
typical vertebrae: why does vertebral arch have sites of articulation
contains superior and inferior articular processes for connection to adjacent veterbrae (difficult to turn sideways as vertical)
typical vertebrae: function of pedicles
anchor vertebral arch to vertebral body
typical cervical vertebrae
- have transverse foramen in sides for vertebral arteries to travel up to brain through foramen magnum
typical thoracic vertebrae
- vertebral body is heart-shaped
typical lumbar vertebrae
- vertebral body is kidney shaped (larger so able to weight bear)
atypical vertebrae: C1 (atlas) superior view
atypical vertebrae: C2 posterosuperior view
features different in C1 vertebra: superior articular surfaces
2 facets of skull sitting on 2 superior articular surfaces as atlanto-occipital joint for “yes” movement
features different in C1 vertebra: vertebral body and reason
no vertebral body as vertebral body connected to vertebra below (C2), creating atlanto-axial “no” joint
features different in C1 vertebra: drawbacks of dens of C2 being huge superiorly pointing structure
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
features different in C1 vertebra: posterior
no spinous process
features different in C1 vertebra: 3 foramen and function
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)
features different in C1 vertebra: what separates foramen for dens and vertebral foramen
transverse ligament of atlas
C1 vertebra vulnerability
vulnerable to fracture especially in car accidents, causing death or paralysis
features different in C2 vertebra (axis): dens
dens (odontoid peg) sits on top of vertebral body of C2, acting as C1 vertebral body and allowing atlanto-axial joint for “no” movement
