Vertebral Column and Trunk Wall Flashcards
spinous process
a projection on the posterior side and is often caudally from the midline
transverse process
projects laterally and dorsalarerally
- for articulation with ribs
- only on the thoracic vertebra
superior articular facet
- slightly concave surface on the superior articular process. It articulates with the inferior articular facet on the vertebra above
inferior articular facet
- slightly concave surface on the inferior articular process. It articulates with the superior articular facet on the vertebra below
Vertebral foramen
the whole through the vertebra that the spinal cord travels through
intervertebral foramen
this is the space between the vertebra that the spinal nerves travel out of
body
the big portion of each vertbra
-these are what support the weight of the body
cervical vertebra
the first 7 vertbra
- the smallest vertebra because they only support the weight of the head
transverse foramen
these are only on the cervical vertebra and they are for the vertbral arteries and veins that supply the brain
Atlas
- the first C1
- articulates with the occipital condyles of the skull
- this is what allows nodding
- it has no body
superior articular facet on the atlas
- these are oval and articulates with the occipital condyles
axis
- the second cervical vertebra
- this is fused with the atlas
- has the dens
dens
this is the site that the axis and the atlas articulate and create the ability for rotation of the head
thoracic vertebrae
- these have a heart shaped body
- long, slender spinous process that projects posterocaudally
- these will be articulating with the rib bones
costal facets/ demifacets
these are where the vertebra articulate with the rib
- ribs 9-12 only have one because they only articulate with one
lumbar vertebrae
- the largest vertebrae
- thicker body than thoracic (and oval not heart shape)
- these are the ones that bear the most weight so they need the largest body
sacrum
5 fused vertebra
- protects the reproductive, digestive, and excretory organs
coccyx
this is 3-5 fused vertebra
what are the primary curvatures
thoracic and sacral curvatures
- these present in a fetus and remain in the adult
what are the secondary curvatures
these are the cervical and lumbar curvatures
- these are the ones that develop to allow humans to stand upright and walk
spinal curvatures
these are 4 curves that establish the bodies center of gravity, balance the head, and permit upright walking
true rib
connected to the sternum by separate costal cartilages
false ribs
connected to the sternum by cartilage that fuses together before reaching the sternum
floating rib
no connection with the sternum
costal cartilage
connects the ribs to the sternum
manubrium
- widest most superior portion of the sternum
- articulates with the clavicles
jugular notch
shallow identification at superior surface of manubrium
body of sternum
- attaches to the inferior surface of manubrium
- costal cartilages from ribs 2-7 are attached here
- ribs 8-10 are also attached here by their merged cartilage
xyphoid process
- smallest portion of sternum
- attached to the inferior surface of the body
- attached to the rectus abdominus and the muscular diaphragm
clavicular notch
the shallow depression located on either side at the superior-lateral margins of the manubrium
- joint between the sternum and clavicle
rectus abdominus
- contraction causes spinal flexion
- its fibers run vertically
- deep to the external oblique
- superficial to the internal oblique
external oblique
- unilateral contraction: contralateral rotation
- bilateral contraction: flexes the vertebral column
- fibers are run superior laterally to inferior medially
- most superficial muscle
internal oblique
unilateral contraction: ipsilateral rotation
- bilateral contraction: flexes the vertebral column
- fibers run inferior laterally to superior medially
- this is deep to both the external oblique and the recites abdominus
erector spinae
- these are on the dorsal side of the body
- they run along either side of the spinal column
- these are used to move the spine and stabilize the spine
- three types
- bilateral contraction causes extension of the vertebral column
- unilateral contraction causes lateral flexion of vertebral column
primary curvature
- these are the curves you are born with
- all four legged mammels have them
- thoracic
- sacral
secondary curvature
- these are developed in the first two years of life to stand up right
- cervical
- lumbar
anterior longitudinal ligament
- this one is large and wide and prevents you from arching your back too far
- prevents hyperextension
posterior longitudinal ligament
- this is narrow and weak
- prevent hyperflexion
- the smallness and weakness of them are whey most herniated discs are on the posterior side of the cord
intervertebral disc
- the cartilage between the vertebra
- has an outer anulus fibrosus
- has an inner nucleus pulposus
anulus fibrosus
the dense fibrous part of the intervertebral disc
nucleus pulposus
this is the inner soft gelatinous part of the intervertebral disc
herniated disc
- this is when the nucleus pulposus pushes through a weakening in the collagen fibers within the anulus fibrosus
- this leads to pressure on the nerve or the cord
- common to be on the posterior side due to less stability from the ligament
sternal angle
this is the line between the body and the manubrium
where do ribs articulate with the thoracic vertebra
- the rib articulates with the superior demifacet in the vertebra of corresponding number and the transverse costal facet
- the rib also articulates with the inferior demifacet of the vertebra above it (one number lower than it is)
intercostal nerves
-these travel in the intercostal spaces
these supply the thoracic cage with innervation of sensory and motor function
- these travel with the intercostal artery and vein
dermatome
sensory distribution of spinal nerve on the surface of the body (the integument)
transversus abdominus
compresses the abdominal wall
-stabilizes and engages core
inguinal ligament
thick, under turned interiror margin of the external oblique (the bottom of the oblique)
- this helps to hold structures passing frm the trunk to the lower limb against the body
- it is essentially connective tissue that runs down to the pubic bone
inguinal canal
creates a weakness in the abdominal wall
-its an oblique passageway parallel and superomedial to the inguinal ligament
deep inguinal ring
the first passageway where the abdominal structures would pass/run from the abdomen through all the abdominal muscles to the lower extremities
superficial inguinal ring
for a person with a spermatic cord, there is a weaking that allows for a possible hernia into the scrotum
**important to remember females have this opening as well!!
kyphosis
this is when there is an over curvature of the thoracic region
“hunch back”
lordosis
this is when there is an over curvature of the lumbar region
-this can be caused by pregnancy or being overweight
scoliosis
this is when there is a curvature of the spine to the left or to the right
