Vertebral Column Flashcards
how many vertebrae does the typical adult vertebral column have?
33:
- 7 cervical (C1 – C7)
- 12 thoracic (T1 – T12) articulate with ribs
- 5 lumbar (L1 – L5)
- 5 sacral (S1 – S5) fused into = sacrum – transfers weight to pelvis and lower limbs
- 4 coccygeal (Co) fused into one = coccyx

In adults, where does the spinal cord typically end?
L1-L2
What are vertebrae held together by?
- Facet joints
- Intervertebral discs
- Ligaments
What are facet joints? What do they connect?
- (also called zygapophyseal joints)
- connect the superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae
- interlocking maintains stability

What passes through intervertebral foramen?
Spinal nerves

What are intervertebral discs? Function?
- Between all non-fused vertebrae
- Provide flexibility and act as shock absorbers

What is the function of the ligaments of the spinal cord?
Bind the vertebrae together and stabilise the vertebral column
function of vertebral canal?
- Protects spinal cord
- Supports body weight
- Semi-rigid axis axis for the body
- Allows pivoting of the head
- Attachment for supporting ligaments and muscles of the back that stabilise and move the vertebral column - supports posture and locomotion

Curvatures are present along the spinal cord. What are these important for?
Allow flexibility and shock absorption

Describe 1ary and 2ary curvatures of the spine
Foetus:
- Thoracic and sacral kyphoses –> 1ary curvatures seen in foetus
Adult:
- Cervical and lumbar lordoses –> 2ary curvatures that develop later

What type of curvature is:
- cervical
- thoracic
- lumbar
- sacral
- 2ary
- 1ary
- 2ary
- 1ary

What is kyphosis?
Kyphosis is a spinal disorder in which an excessive outward curve of the spine (near neck) results in an abnormal rounding of the upper back.

What is lordosis?
An excessive inward curve of the lumbar spine (closer to low back)

What is scoliosis?
A sideways curvature of the spine

General plan of a vertebra:
- Anterior vertebral body
- Posterior section:
- Pedicles
- Laminae
- Superior and inferior articular processes
- Transverse processes
- Spinous process
- Project directly posteriorly
- These are little bones you can feel in your back

What is the function of the pedicles?
Attaches the transverse process to the body of the vertebra

What is the function of the lamina?
Attaches transverse process to spinous process

What is the function of the superior and inferior articular processes and facets?
Joints between adjacent vertebrae; alignment determines movement
Which vertebral segment is the smallest?
Cervical spine C1-C7
Which cervical vertebrae are considered ‘atypical’? Why?
- C1 and C2 –> these are highly modified
- C1 articulates with occiput –> allows us to nod our head up and down
- C1 and C2 articulate with each other and form a pivot joint –> allows us to turn our head from side to side
- C7 is considered typical BUT:
- Has a long spinous process (vertebra prominens) which may not be bifid
- Used as a landmark to count the vertebrae from
- The transverse foramina of C7 might be small, or even absent
- Has a long spinous process (vertebra prominens) which may not be bifid

Why are injuries to the C-spine common?
- the C-spine is flexible
- the head is heavy
What do injuries to the C-spine risk?
Damage to the cervical spinal cord or brainstem:
- Fractures and dislocations: traumatic, crush / compression
- Dislocations can cause fractures because of the interlocking joints in the VC
- Rupture of ligaments > can compromise stability
- Cord / spinal nerve injuries occur if fracture fragments or dislocations compress or sever the cord
- Hence C-spine injuries are the most catastrophic – can lead to death or tetraplegia
What feature distinguish the cervical vertebrae?
The cervical vertebrae have three main features which distinguish them from other vertebrae:
- Triangular vertebral foramen.
- Bifid spinous process – this is where the spinous process splits into two distally.
- Transverse foramina – holes in the transverse processes. They give passage to the vertebral artery, vein and sympathetic nerves.

Describe the articular facets of the cervical vertebrae
- The articulating facets in the cervical vertebrae face 45 degrees to the transverse plane and lie parallel to the frontal plane
- The superior articulating process facing posterior and up
- The inferior articulating processes facing anteriorly and down































