Vertebral column and spinal cord Flashcards
Cervical vertebrae distinctive features
Triangular foramen
Vertebral body is square shaped
Foramen in each transverse process (arteries and veins)
Bifid spinous process, except C1 and C7
Atlas and axis are specialised for movement
Thoracic vertebrae distinctive features
Circular foramen
Larger and stronger
Facets for rib articulation
Vertebral body is heart shaped
Lumbar vertebrae distinctive features
Triangular foramen Large size - body Rounded upper and lower facets to prevent rotation Thin long transverse processes Cylindrical body
2 major types of joints
Symphyses between vertebral bodies
Synovial joints between articular processes
A typical vertebrae has a total of…. joints with adjacent vertebrae
How many synovial and how many symphyses
6 4 synovial (2 above 2 below) 2 symphyses (1 above 1 below)
Intervertebral discs consist of
Annulus fibrosis
Nucleus pulposus
Annulus fibrosis is
role
collagen surrounded by fibrocartilage arranged in a
lamellar configuration
limit rotation
Nucleus pulposus is
role
soft gelatinous core
to absorb compressive forces between vertebrae
What can lead to herniation of the nucleus pulposus
Degeneration of the annulus fibrosis
Posterolateral herniation can
impinge on the roots of the spinal nerves in the intervertebral foramen > sensory deficits or pain
The synovial joints between superior and inferior articular processes on adjacent vertebrae are known as
zygapophysial joints
Movement in the:
Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar regions
Cervical - flexion and extension
Thoracic - rotation
Lumbar - not much movement
Which ligament is attached superiorly to base of skull and extends along the anterior surface of the vertebral bodies to the sacrum
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Which ligament is attached superiorly to base of skull and extends along the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies to the sacrum
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Which ligament passes between the laminae of adjacent vertebrae
Ligamentum flavum
Which ligament is a triangular, sheet-like structure that forms the upper part of the supraspinous ligament, attaching from vertebrae C7 to the skull
Ligamentum nuchae
Which ligament passes along and connects the tips of the spinous processes from vertebrae CVII to the sacrum
Supraspinous ligaments
Which ligament passes between adjacent vertebral spinous processes; attach from the base to the apex of each spinous process
Interspinous ligaments
Which ligament is commonly damaged in whiplash
Anterior longitudinal ligament
The upper part of the ….. that connects C2 to the base of the skull is termed the
Posterior longitudinal ligament
tectorial membrane
Which ligament resists separation of the laminae in flexion + assist in extension
Ligamentum flavum
Which ligament is pierced during lumbar puncture
Ligamentum flavum