Vertebral Column Flashcards
how many cervical vertebrae are there?
7
how many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12
how many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5
how many sacral vertebrae are there?
5
how many coccygeal vertebrae are there?
4
which vertebrae have a transverse foramen? why?
cervical vertebrae for the vertebral artery
what vertebrae have motions associated with them?
cervical 7
thoracic 12
lumbar 5
total of 24
name the four curvatures of the SC
cervical
thoracic
lumbar
sacral
which curvatures are primary and which are secondary?
cervical and lumbar are secondary
thoracic and sacral are primary
do primary curvatures shape out or in?
primary shape out and secondary shape in
name the three abnormal curvature shapes in the SC
kyphosis
lordosis
scoliosis
describe the issue in kyphosis
accentuated thoracic curvature…called hunchback
describe the change to curvature in lordosis
accentuated lumbar curvature
what is the change in scoliosis?
abnormal lateral curvature and rotation of vertebral column
what two things make up the vertebral arch?
pedicles and laminae
which of pedicles or laminae articulate with the body of a vertebrae?
pedicles
how many processes do vertbrae have?
7
name the seven processes
four articular processes
two transverse processes
one spinous process
what two things make up a facet joint in the column?
between the superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae
what type of joint is a facet joint?
synovial
what lies between the bodies of two vertebrae?
intervertebral discs
what are intervertebral discs made of? function?
cartilage for weight bearing and strength
what is the pars intra articularis?
bony strut between the superior and inferior articular process
what are the two parts of the intervertebral disc?
anulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus
what is the role of the anulus fibrosus in the IV discs?
concentric layers of cartilage that adheres to the vertebral bodies
what is the role of the nucleus pulposus in the IV discs?
gelatinous mass that serves as shock absorber
what do spinal nerves pass through when coming out of the spinal cord?
intervertebral foramen
what two portions of the VC does most movement occur in ?
cervical and lumbar regions
name the two locations that are most prone to fracture in the spinal column
cervicothoracic jxn
thoracolumbar jxn
why are the cervicothoracic jxn and the thoracolumbar jxn prone to fractures?
because the cervical and lumbar move a lot but the thoracic do not so you get a lot of stress at these junctions
what plane are cervical facet joints in? what motion does this allow?
transverse plane
multiaxial motion
what plane are thoracic facet joints in? what motion does this allow?
frontal plane..minimal motion, but mainly rotational
what plane are lumbar facet joints in? what motion does this allow?
sagittal plane…allows flexion and extension
what is the first cervical vert calles?
atlas
what is the second cervical vert called?
axis
the superior facets of the atlas articulate with what?
occipital condyles
what is the shape of the atlas?
ring shaped bone
what is the distinguishing feature of the axis?
tooth like process called the dens
what is the atlantooccipital joint?
joint between the atlas and occipital condyles
what movement does the atlantoccipital joint allow?
in sagittal plane…shaking head yes
what is a common name for the fracture of the atlas? when does this happen?
jeffersons fracture
commonly from diving accidents
name the three joints between the atlas and axis
median atlantoaxial joint
two lateral atlantoaxial joints
what is the median atlantoaxial joint between?
dens of C2 and anterior arch of C1
atalantoaxial joints allow movement in what plane?
transverse…shaking head no
how many cervical spinal nerves are there?
8
how many thoracic spinal nerves are there?
12
how many lumbar spinal nerves are there?
5
how many sacral spinal nerves are there?
5
how many coccygeal spinal nerves are there?
1
what are the two roots of spinal nerves?
ventral and dorsal
what does ventral roots contain?
axons of somatic motor efferent nerves
what do dorsal roots contain?
axons of somatic sensory afferent nerves
is info going to or from the SC in the ventral root?
from
is info going to or from the SC in the dorsal root?
to
what do the roots combine to form?
the spinal nerve
what does the spinal nerve then divide into?
ventral and dorsal ramus
what does the dorsal ramus contain?
nerve axons to and from the muscles of the back and overlying skin on back
what does the ventral ramus do/contain?
nerve axons to and from the body wall and the upper and lower limbs
where does dorsal ramus send and receive info from
back muscles and skin on back
where does ventral ramus send and receive info?
body wall and limbs
what is another name for the dens of C2?
odontoid process
name the five ligaments of the VC
anterior longitudinal posterior longitudinal supraspinous interspinous ligamentum flava
what is another fracture name for the fracture of C2?
hangman fracture
where is the anterior longitudinal ligament of the spine located?
on anterior surfaces of the bodies of vertebrae
what does the anterior longitudinal ligament prevent?
hyperextension
where is the posterior longitudinal ligament located?
in the vertebral canal on the posterior surface of bodies of vertebrae
where is the supraspinous ligament located?
spinous processes from the sacrum to the C7 on
where is the ligamentum nuchae located?
broad strong ligament in the neck
what does the ligamentum nuchae provide?
site for attachment of cervical muscles
where is the interspinous ligament located?
adjacent spinous processes
where is the ligamentum flavum located in the vertebral column?
elastic fibers adjoining adjacent lamina of vertbrae
