Vertebral column and spinal cord Flashcards
function of the spinal cord
protects the spinal cord and transfers loads from the head, trunk, and upper limb to the pelvis
Cervical vertebrae characteristics
small, wide body
short, bifid spinous processes
triangular shaped vertebral foramen
inferior and superior articular processes directed superoposteriorly
thoracic vertebrae characteristics
articulate with ribs
heart shaped body with costal facets
spinous processes are long and sharp, project inferiorly
vertebral foramina are circular
transverse processes serve as facets for ribs (except T1 and T12)
thoracic vertebrae movements
rotation
lateral flexion is limited
flexion and extension are prevented
lumbar vertebrae characteristics
massive body
short, blunt, rectangular shaped, posteriorly projecting spinous process
triangular vertebral foramen
thin and tapered transverse process
lumbar vertebrae movements
flexion and extension
some lateral flexion
NO ROTATION
Sacrum characteristics
5 fused vertebrae
provides strength and stability to the pelvis
attached to inferior end is coccyx (tail bone)
transverse foramina are unique to
cervical vertebrae
provide space for vertebral a to course up neck into head
bifid spinous processes are unique to
cervical vertebrae
movements of cervical vertebrae
flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation
thoracic outlet syndrome
impingment of neurovascular structures in neck
cervical ribs can cause impingement (as well as fractured clavicle, extra muscle/scar tissue in scalene area, poor posture of neck and shoulder regions)
thoracolumbar fascia
general arrangement of musculature and fascial components
posterior, middle, anterior lamina
three structures contributing stability to vertebral column
IV discs
ligaments
musculature surrounding column
IV disc characteristics
fibrocartilage positioned between adjacent vertebrae
symphysis (fibrocartilaginous joint)
Allow slight movement of vertebrae
acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together
IV joint characteristics
Joints between vertebral bodies maintained by 3 ligamentous structures annulus fibrosis (fibrous outer layer) Anterior longitudinal ligament - prevents hyperextension Posterior longitudinal ligament
other ligaments of vertebral column (5)
nuchal ligament (attaches to external occipital protuberance)
supraspinous (connects adjacent spinous processes)
interspinous (deeper supraspinous, same thing)
ligamentum flava ( contact lamina of vertebrae)
intertransverse ligaments (connections between transverse processes)
all limit extreme movements
ligament that attaches to external occipital protuberance
nuchal ligament
2 ligaments that connect adjacent spinous processes
supraspinous (more superficial)
interspinous
ligament that connects lamina of adjacent vertebrae
ligamentum flava
ligament that connects transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae
intertransverse ligaments
herniated IV discs
portion of disc squeezes out and impinges/presses upon spinal cord (or potentially spinal nerves)
typically occurs in posterolateral direction (posterior ligament is not as strong)
typically occurs in lumbar region
spinal meninges
dura mater
arachnoid mater
pia mater
dura mater
tough mother, epidural space
most superficial layer
blends and spreads out with spinal nerves
arachnoid mater
spider web, contains subarachnoid space (houses CSF - filtrate that will wash over brain)
middle layer
pia mater
soft mother, denticulate ligaments - connects pia mater to other layers of meninges
deepest layer - same outer layering of spinal cord itself,
thoracic region disc herniations
usually a result of wear and tear or disc degeneration
sudden and forceful twisting of midback region
lumbar region disc herniation
most common region
frequent bending, twisting, lifting increases risk
pain/dysfunction radiation region will provide information where herniation impingment may be occur
vasculature of vertebral column
cervical - vertebral and cervical a
thoracic - posterior intercostal a
lumbar - subcostal and lumbar a
sacral - iliolumbar a, medial and lateral sacral a
venous drainage of vertebral column
venous plexus around and inside vertebral column internal vertebral venous plexus external vertebral venous plexus basivertebral veins intervertebral veins
spinal cord begins to end as a cluster of nerves not associated with meninges around
L1
cervical enlargement
enlargement that represents nerves exiting to the upper extremities
lumbosacral enlargement
lower extremity nerve exit point
conus medullaris
where the spinal cord comes to an end
filum terminale
extends from pia mater of spinal cord to inferior most portion of vertebrae - bony attachment of spinal cord
cauda equina
all nerves are bundled up together but are not bound together as a discrete structure (aka spinal cord)
after spinal cord has ended
allows us to give spinal block
why do we have cauda equina
vertebral column grows faster, keeps growing after nervous system -
lumbar puncture
between L3-L4 vertebrae because needle introduced to the dural sac (lumbar cistern) generally slips past the spinal nerve roots without injuring the spinal cord or nerves
allows us to avoid conus medullaris
spondylolysis
broken vertebrae
trauma or degenerative disease
common cause of spondylolisthesis
spondylolisthises
anterior/ventral displacement of one vertebrae on adjacent one
common progression from spondylolysis
can be congenital
pars interarticularis fractures
between inferior and superior articular facets, between lamina and pedicles of vertebrae
fractures associated with spondylolysis
looks like a scottie dog and fracture is at dogs collar
compression fractures
collapse of bone of vertebral body
can be caused by trauma or degenerative disease
osteopenia
process of thinning or decrease in bone mass
osteoporosis
the condition of having diminished bone density making bones prone to fracture - degenerative
curvature abnormalities
scoliosis - excessive lateral curvature of head
kyphosis - excessive thoracic curvature (convexity)
Lordosis - excessive lumbar curvature (concavity)
caused by developmental abnormalities, trauma, degenerative disease
