Vertebral Column

Question 1

Functions of the vertebral column (5)

Answer 1

1) Support the weight of the head and trunk
2) protect the spinal cord
3) allows spinal nerves to exit the spinal cord
4) provides a site for muscle attachment
5) permits movement of head and trunk

Question 2

5 regions of vertebrae

Answer 2

Cervical (7)
Thoracic (12)
Lumbar (5)
Sacral (1)
Coccygeal (1)

Question 3

General structure of an inidivudal vertebra

Answer 3

Body
Vertebral arch
Various processes

Question 4

Vertebral body

Answer 4

weight-bearing portion

Question 5

Vertebral arch

Answer 5

Protects the spinal cord posteriorly from the body

Question 6

Division of the left and right halves of the vertebral arch

Answer 6

Pedicle and Lamina

Question 7

Pedicle

Answer 7

“foot” of the vertebral arch, connects to the body

Question 8

Lamina

Answer 8

“thin plate” of the vertebral arch, connects the lamina from the opposite half of the arch

Question 9

Vertebral foramen

Answer 9

The large opening created by the vertebral arch and posterior part of the body

Question 10

Vertebral canal

Answer 10

Adjacent vertebrae’s vertebral foramina combine to create the canal
holds the spinal cord and cauda equina

Question 11

Lordosis

Answer 11

Exaggeration of the convex curve of the lumbar region

Question 12

Kyphosis

Answer 12

Humpback; exaggeration of the concave curve of the thoracic region

Question 13

Scoliosis

Answer 13

Abnormal lateral and rotational curvature of the vertebral column

Question 14

Transverse process

Answer 14

extends laterally from each side of the arch between the lamina and pedicle

Question 15

Spinous process

Answer 15

Junciton of two laminae - can feel this in the midline of your back

Question 16

Intervertebral foramina

Answer 16

where two vertebrae meet

Also where spinal nerves exit the spinal cord

Question 17

Intervertebral notches

Answer 17

form teh intervertebral foramen

Question 18

Vertebral process that support movement

Answer 18

Suprior process (2)
Inferior articular process (2)

Question 19

Intervertebral disks

Answer 19

Made of fibrocartilagae; located bewteen bodies of adjacent vertebrae
Prevent vetebral bodies from rubbing aginst eachother

Question 20

What makes up an intervertebral disk?

Answer 20

Annulus fibrosus

Nucleus pulposus

Question 21

Annulus fibrosus

Answer 21

External fibrous ring of the intervertebal disk

Question 22

Nucleus pulposus

Answer 22

Pluply, gelatinous internal part of an intervertebral disk

Question 23

What causes a decrease in height as one ages?

Answer 23

The compression of intervertebral disks

Question 24

Characteristics of cervical vertebrae (3)

Answer 24

Small bodies;
Bifid spinous processes (split processes)
The transverse foramen for arteries to extend toward the head
Most likely to be disolcated or fractured

Question 25

Atlas

Answer 25

first cervical vertebra
No body and no spinous process
Allows the head to move in yes motiona dn tilt form side to side

Question 26

Axis

Answer 26

Second cervical vertebra
Produce “no” motion
Has the Dens process which fits into the formaen of the atlas

Question 27

Dens process

Answer 27

Unique to axis vertebra
Tooth-shaped
Fits into the foramen of the atlas, and the atlas rotates around it.

Question 28

Vertebral prominens

Answer 28

the most prominent spinous process

Question 29

Whiplash

Answer 29

Traumatic hyperextension of the cervical vertebrae

Question 30

Herniated disk

Answer 30

Results with annulus fibrosus break or balloons and releases all or part of the nucleus pulposus

Question 31

Treatment for herniated disk (5) options

Answer 31

Bed rest - allow it to heal on its own
Laminectomy - reduce compression of the spinal nerve or spinal cord
Hemilaminectomy - reduce compression of the spinal nerve or spinal cord
Fenestration -
Vertebral infusion surgery

Question 32

Laminectomy

Answer 32

removal of a vertebral lamina

Question 33

Hemilaminectomy

Answer 33

removal of a portion of the vertebral lamina

Question 34

Fenestration

Answer 34

removal of the nucleus populous, but leaves the annulus fibrosus intact

Question 35

Characteristics of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 35

Long, thing spinous processes, long transverse processes

Question 36

Characteristics of lumbar vertebrae

Answer 36

Large, thick bodies and heavy rectangular transverse and spinous processes

Question 37

Sacral vertebrae

Answer 37

5 vertebrae fused into a single bone called sacrum

Question 38

Alae

Answer 38

Wing-shaped superior surfaces of lateral parts of sacrum

Question 39

Sacral hiatus

Answer 39

the inferior end of the sacrum, site of anesthetic injections

Question 40

Coccyx

Answer 40

tailbone