Vertebral column and back

Question 1

What are the functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

Protects spinal cord + spinal nerves
Provides support to rib cage
Transfers weight from upper body to lower limbs 
Shock absorbing 
Muscle attachment point

Question 2

How many vertebral bodies per vertebral region?

Answer 2

Cervical = 7
Thoracic = 12
Lumbar = 5
Sacral = 5 
(+ Coccyx)

Question 3

What are the C1 and C2 vertebral bodies anatomical names?

Answer 3

C1 = Atlas 
C2 = Axis

Question 4

How does the function of the C1 vertebrae differ?

Answer 4

Joins to base of skull so carries the weight of the cranium and permits movement

Question 5

What is a Jefferson Fracture?

Answer 5

Excess compression causing a burst fracture of C1

Generally caused by heavy blow to back of head

Question 6

What forms the joint between the C1 and C2 vertebral bodies?

Answer 6

Odontoid process forms pivot joint

Can be fractured and impinge spinal cord

Question 7

What is a Hangman’s Fracture?

Answer 7

Bilateral fracture of the Pars Interarticularis of the Axis (C2)
Generally caused by hyperextension injury of the head (Whiplash, hanging etc.)

Question 8

What identifiable features do the Cervical vertebrae have?

Answer 8

Small bodies and Foramen Transversarium (through which vertebral arteries travel through)

Question 9

What identifiable features do the Thoracic vertebrae have?

Answer 9

Articular facets for articulation with ribs

Question 10

What identifiable features do the Lumbar vertebrae have?

Answer 10

Large vertebral bodies (for weight bearing and shock absorption) and articulations that are aligned to prevent rotational movement

Question 11

What is the function of intervertebral discs?

Answer 11

Resist compression and form a mobile joint

Question 12

What is the structure of intervertebral discs?

Answer 12

Secondary fibrocartilaginous joint 
Annulus Fibrosus (layers of fibrocartilage around the outside) with Nucleus Polposus in the core (full of Glycoaminoglycans)

Question 13

What are zygapophyseal joints?

Answer 13

Simple synovial plane joints between articular facets of adjacent membrane

Question 14

What ligaments support the vertebral column?

Answer 14

Supraspinous 
Interspinous 
Ligamentum Flavum 
Anterior Longitudinal 
Posterior Longitudinal

Question 15

What is Spondyolysis?

Answer 15

Fracture in region of articular facets without displacement

Characteristic ‘scotty dog’ shape on X-ray

Question 16

What is Spondylolisthesis?

Answer 16

When a lumbar vertebral body slips and moves anteriorly (due to trauma, degeneration or dysplasia)
Often accompanies spondyolysis

Question 17

What nerves innervate the erector spinae muscles?

Answer 17

Posterior rami of the spinal nerves

Question 18

What is the collective function of the erector spinae muscles?

Answer 18

Lateral flexion of the vertebral column