Vertebral Column

Question 1

How many bones make up the vertebral column?

Answer 1

33

Question 2

What are the functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 2

1) Protection - spinal cord.
2) Support - carries the weight of the body above the pelvis.
3) Axis - forms the central axis of the body.
4) Movement - has roles in both posture and movement.

Question 3

What is the general structure of a vertebra?

Answer 3

Consists of a body and a arch.

Question 4

What is the purpose of the vertebral body?

Answer 4

It is the weight-bearing component.

It is lined with hyaline cartilage on both sides. The bodies are separated by a fibrocartilagnious intervertebral disc.

Question 5

What are the characteristics of the vertebral arch?

Answer 5

Forms the lateral and posterior aspect of the vertebra.

In combination with the body, the arch forms the vertebral foramen. When all the vertebrae are aligned together this will form the vertebral canal.

1) Spinous process - most posterior point of the arch
2) Transverse processes - each vertebra has two - they extend posteriorly and laterally from the body.
3) Pedicles - connects the vertebral bodies to the transverse processes.
4) Laminae - connects the transverse and spinous processes.
5) Articular processes - forms the zygopophyseal joints between articular processes of adjacent vertebrae. These are planar-type synovial joints.

Question 6

Clinical relevance: intervertebral disc herniation

Answer 6

The intervertebral disc is a fibrocartilaginous cylinder that lies between vertebral bodies. They permit flexibility of the spine, and act as shock absorbers. In lumbar and thoracic regions, they are wedge-shaped to support the curvature of the spine.

Each disc has two parts:

1) Anulus fibrosus (outer layer) - tough and collagenous
2) Nucleus pulposus (inner layer) - jelly-like

In a herniation, the nucleus pulposus ruptures and breaks through the anulus fibrosus. The rupture usually occurs in a posterolateral direction and can irritate nearby nerves, leaving neurological and muscular symptoms.

Question 8

How many different types of vertebrae are there?

Answer 8

From top to bottom:

1) Cervical (7)
2) Thoracic (12)
3) Lumbar (5)
4) Sacrum (5)
5) Coccyx (4)

Question 9

Clinical relevance: abnormal morphology of the spine

Answer 9

1) Kyphosis - excessive thoracic curvature of the spine, causing hunchback of the spine.
2) Lordosis - excessive lumbar curvature of the spine, causing a swayback deformity.
3) Scoliosis - lateral curvature of the spine, usually of unknown cause.
4) Cervical spondylitis - degeneration of joints, decreasing the size of the intervertebral foramina, putting pressure on nerves and causing pain.