Vertebral column anatomy

Question 1

What are the main functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

Internal support for the body
Protection of the spinal cord
Provides a large surface area for muscle attachment
Locomotion

Question 2

How are vertebrae classified?

Answer 2

Irregular bones, unique, outer layer of compact bone, centre of cancellous bone

Question 3

What makes up the vertebral body?

Answer 3

Cylindrical in shape
Convex cranial surface = cranial end plate
Concave caudal surface = caudal end plate
Intervertebral disc space

Question 4

What does the vertebral arch consist of?

Answer 4

Pedicles - L and R walls
Laminae - L and R halves of the roof
Vertebral foramen - space formed by arch through which the spinal cord runs
Vertebral canal - formed by the alignment of adjacent vertebral foraminae
Cranial and caudal notches - lateral aspect on the Pericles, 4 in total
Intervertebral foramen - between adjacent vertebrae, passage of spinal nerves and vessels

Question 5

What are the properties of the articular facets?

Answer 5

Located on vertebral arch at junction between pedicle and laminar. Articulate with facets on adjacent vertebrae to form synovial joints. 4 in total.

Question 6

What are the properties of the spinous processes?

Answer 6

Large surface area for muscle attachment
Length and inclination vary with region
Dorsal and transverse spinal processes

Question 7

What are the functions of cervical vertebrae?

Answer 7

Supports the head
Head movement
Protection of ventral neck structures
Muscle attachment

Question 8

What are the typical features of cervical vertebrae?

Answer 8

Short spinous processes
Transverse processes have ventral projections for attachment of hypaxial muscles
Flat articular facets

Question 9

What are the features of C1?

Answer 9

No vertebral body
No dorsal spinous process
2 large transverse processes

Question 10

What are the features of C2?

Answer 10

Extra vertebral body (dens)
Small transverse processes
Prominent dorsal spinous process

Question 11

What are the functions of thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 11

Articulate with ribs
Forms dorsal border of thoracic cavity
Protects thoracic structures
Abdominal wall (epaxial) muscle attachment

Question 12

What are the typical features of thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 12

Short vertebral body

Large, caudally angled dorsal spinous processes for expaxial muscle attachment

Question 13

Describe how ribs 1-10 articulate with thoracic vertebrae

Answer 13

Head articulates with cranial costea fovea of corresponding vertebra and the caudal costa fovea of the on in front. Tuberculum articulates with transverse process of coresponding vertebra

Question 14

Describe how ribs 11-13 articulate with thoracic vertebrae

Answer 14

Head and tuberculum articulate with corresponding vertebra only

Question 15

What is meant by anticlinal vertebrae?

Answer 15

Dorsal spinous processes reduce in height as move caudally
Anticlinal vertebra has short vertical process, caudal to this dorsal processes are angled cranially to prevent overcrowding and allow movement
T11 in dog, T13 in horse

Question 16

What are the features of sacral vertebrae?

Answer 16

Fused to form sacrum
No intervertebral disc space
No movement

Question 17

What are the functions of sacral vertebrae?

Answer 17

Protect intra-pelvic structures
Locomotion - Lumbosacral joint allows flexion and extension; sacro-illiac joint transfers forces
Attachment for hindlimb muscles

Question 18

What are the functions of coccygeal vertebrae?

Answer 18

Large range of movement

No spinal cord at this level to protect

Question 19

What are the features of coccygeal vertebrae?

Answer 19

Cylinder of bone

Become increasingly rudimentary caudally, large range of movement