Vertebral Column and Spinal Cord Flashcards
What does the vertebral column consist of?
Vertebrae separated by intervertebral discs
How many vertebrae are in the adult column?
33
What are the different types of vertebra and how many of each are there?
Cervical - C1 to C7 Thoracic - T1 to T12 Lumbar - L1 to L5 Sacral - S1 to S5 Coccygeal - Co1 to Co4 but fused into one coccyx)
What are the features of a typical vertebra, anteriorly and posteriorly?
Anteriorly - a body which supports the vertebral column and is connected to intervertebral discs
Posteriorly - Vertebral arch
What are the subdivisions of the vertebral arch?
Pedicle
Lamina
Superior and Inferior articular processes, extending posteriorly to the vertebral notches
Spinous and transverse processes
What is the function of the pedicle?
Attaches 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 spinous and transverse processes?
Attachment of muscles and ligaments
Which are the smallest of the moveable vertebrae?
Cervical
What do the cervical vertebrae form?
The bony skeleton of the neck
What is the distinguishing feature of a cervical vertebra and what is special about them in C7?
Transverse foramen
Smaller in C7 or occasionally absent
What structures pass through the transverse foramina?
Vertebral arteries
Which cervical vertebrae are atypical?
C1 - Atlas
C2 - Axis
Which feature of C7 makes it a bony landmark?
The spinous process of C7: the vertebra prominens
What are some features of C1?
Articulates with the head
No vertebral body
Fuses onto the body of C2 to form the dens
No intervertebral disc
What do the lateral masses of C1 articulate with superiorly and inferiorly?
Superiorly: occipital condyle of the skull
Inferiorly: Superior articular surfaces of C2
What are some features of C2?
Two large flat articular facets upon which the atlas rotates
Dens, also known as the odontoid process. Acts as a pivot the allows rotation of the head from side to side
Held in position by the transverse ligament of the atlas
What are the distinguishing features of thoracic vertebrae?
Vertebral body - ♥︎ shaped with superior and inferior costa; demi facets for articulation with head of rib
Spinous process - long and extends postern-inferiorly
Transverse process - costa; facet for articulation with tubercle of rib
Articular facets - superior faces posterior / inferior faces anterior
What are the distinguishing features of the lumbar vertebrae?
Vertebral body - large and cylindrical
Spinous process - short and sturdy
Articular facets - Superior faces medially / inferior faces laterally
Transverse process - thin and long
No facets for articulation with the ribs
What three things hold vertebrae together?
Facet Joints
Intervertebral discs
Ligaments
What is the role of facet joints?
Connect the superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae
What is the role of intervertebral discs?
Exist between all non fused vertebrae and provide flexibility to the spine and act as shock absorbers
What are the two components of the IV disc?
Annulus fibrosis
Nucleus Pulposus
What is the annulus fibrosis and how is it structured?
A component of the intervertebral disc
Consists of an outer ring of collagen surrounding a wider zone of fibrocartilage arranged in a lamellar configuration
