Vertebral column and spinal cord Flashcards
Cervical
Uppermost region of the spine. Made of 7 vertebrae
Thoracic
Second region of the spine. Made up of 12 vertebrae
Lumbar
Third region of the spine. Made up of 5 vertebrae.
Sacrum
Fourth region of the spine. Made up of 5 vertebrae.
Vertebral Body
Anterior portion of vertebrae responsible for carrying 70% of the load.
Pedicle
Two bridge-like structures that connect the vertebral body and the vertebral arch.
Transverse process
Two processes on either side of C1- L5.
Transverse Foramen
Two small wholes on either side of C1-C7.
Articular Process/facet
Structures that connect two adjacent vertebrae. Cervical: 45 degrees
Thoracic: 90 degrees
Lumbar : 90 degrees facing each other
Lamina
The roof of the spinal canal that provides support and protection for the backside of the spinal cord.
Spinous Process
Spiny structure on posterior side of each vertebrae from C2-L5
Atlas
First cervical vertebra, no spinous process, dens facet.
Axis
Second cervical vertebra, first with bifurcated spinous process (C2-C6), dens.
Uncinate process
Bony projection, in the superior surface of the vertebral body, forms the uncovertebral joint with the body of the cervical vertebra above.
Dens
Superior projecting bony element on C2, attaches to dens facet of atlas and facilitates cervical rotation.
Bifurcate
To split in two (S.P of C2-C6)
Sacral Promontory
The superior aspect of the sacrum, articulates superiorly with the L5 vertebral body of the lumbar spine. This arrangement forms the lumbosacral joint.
Anterior/Posterior Sacral foramina
four holes on anterior side of sacrum, sacral nerves and blood vessels pass through these openings.
Vertebral foramen
Middle opening of each vertebra from C1 to L5.
Vertebral Canal
Formed by all the vertebral foramen. The spinal cord is located inside the vertebral canal.
Zygapophyseal/facet joints
Joints formed by adjacent articulating processes.
Intervertebral Disc
Made of annulus fibrosus (outer layer) and nucleus pulposus (inner layer), resonsible for shock absorption, support, flexibilty etc.
Ligament Nuchae
Ligament covering S.P of C1 to C6, supports the cervical spine and allows for flexion whilst limiting excessive movement.
Supraspinous Ligament
Ligament attached to spinous processes, responsible for spine stability and prevent hyperflexion of spine.
Interspinous ligament
Ligaments in between adjacent spinous processes. Activated in flexion, extension, sidebending, and rotation.
External occipital protuberance.
Posterior notch on occipital region of skull. Proximal attachment for ligament nuchae and distal attachment for trapezius.
Intertransverse ligament
LIgaments in between transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae