Vertebral column: bones and joints Flashcards
what are the functions of the vertebral column (5)
- muscle attachment
- mobility
- protection of the spinal cord
- weight transfer from trunk to lower limbs
- haematopoesis within bodies
bones of the vertebral column
7 cervical 12 thoracic 5 lumbar 5 sacral (fused) 4 coccygeal (fused)
the primary curvatures are
kyphosis
the secondary curvatures are
lordosis
4 principal curves of the spine
cervical lordosis
thoracic kyphosis
lumbar lordosis
sacral kyphosis
what is a scoliosis
lateral curvature of the spine
what is the difference between postural and pathological scoliosis
postural will resolve when you stand, pathological is permanent
how do curvatures of the spine develop
in response to changing movements/posture of the newborn
how does the secondary curvature in the cervical region develop
newborn’s ability to hold neck up
how does the secondary curvature develop in the lumbar region
ability to crawl and later stand up and walk
describe the components of a typical vertebrae
vertebral body
vertebral arch
processes
vertebral notches
where is the vertebral body found
anteriorly
what makes up the vertebral arch
pedicles and lamina
how many processes does a typical vertebrae have
7
what are the processes of a typical vertebrae
1 x spinous
2 x transverse
4 x articular
what are the vertebral notches
indentations superior and inferior to pedicles
which vertebral notch is more pronounced
inferior
where is the vertebral foramen
space created between body and arch
what is another name for C1
atlas
why is C1 considered atypical
no body or spinous process
what does C1 have instead of body and spinous process
anterior and posterior arches, each with a tubercle
what are the tubercles on C1 anterior and posterior arches for
sites of muscle and ligament attachment
how does C1 articulate with occipital condyles
superior articular surfaces
the superior articular surfaces of C1 are for articulation with what
occipital condyles
what is found posterior to the anterior arch of C1
foramen for dens of C2
what is another name for C2
axis
why is C2 atypical
it has a dens/odontoid process that projects up from body
how does C2 articulate with C1
C1 rotates around dens on superior articular facets
the superior articular facets of C2 are relatively ___
flat
the transverse ligament of C1 attaches where on C2
posterior articular facet on odontoid process
what do the transverse processes of all cervical vertebrae have (including C1 and C2)
transverse foramen (foramen transversarium)
what is the function of the foramen transversarium
allows passage of the vertebral artery which travels up through FT of cervical vertebrae to enter the skull via the foramen magnum
the body of C3-C7 has what
uncinate process
the transverse processes of C3-C7 have what
anterior and posterior tubercles with groove for spinal nerve in between
the spinous process of C2-C7 is what shape
bifid
how do T1-T12 articulate with ribs
costal facets
- inferior and superior costal facets for head of rib
- transverse costal facet for tubercle of rib
how is a large amount of rotational movement allowed in the thoracic region
nearly vertical articular facets
- superior articular facet is directed nearly posteriorly
- inferior articular facet is directed nearly anteriorly
describe the spinous processes of T1-T12
long sloping spinous process
describe the shape of the body of the lumbar vertebrae
massive kidney shaped body
describe the shape of the spinous process of lumbar vertebrae
quadriateral
what extra processes do lumbar vertebrae have
accessory and mamillary processes
where are the accessory processes of lumbar vertebrae
one on each transverse process
where are the mamillary processes of lumbar vertebrae
one on each superior articular process
what is the purpose of the accessory and mamillary processes
sites for muscle attachment
describe the movement allowed in the lumbar region
very little rotational movement is possible while still maintaining flexion and extension
why is there very little rotational movement but flexion and extension still maintained in lumbar region
superior articular facets are directed posteromedially and inferior articular facets are directed anterolaterally - SAPs are ‘gripping’ IAP of vertebrae above
what shape is the sacrum
wedge shaped
describe the anterior surface of the sacrum
smooth - faces pelvic cavity
what do the anterior sacral foramina allow
passage of anterior rami of sacral spinal nerves
the anterior sacral foramina are remants of what
when bones fuse they form foramina instead of superior and inferior notches seen in typical vertebrae
the apex of the sacrum is superior to the
base of coccyx
describe the posterior surface of the sacrum
median crest
2 intermediate crests
2 lateral crests
how is the median crest of the sacrum formed
fusion of spinous processes
how are the intermediate crests of the sacrum formed
fusion of articular processes
how are the lateral crests of the sacrum formed
fusion of transverse processes
how does the sacrum articulate with the iliac bones
auricular surfaces found on lateral sides of sacrum
what is the purpose of the posterior sacral foramina
passage of spinal nerves exiting spinal canal
what is found on the caudal end of posterior surface of the sacrum
sacral hiatus
what shape is the coccyx
small and triangular
how is the coccyx formed
fusion of around 4 rudimentary coccygeal vertebrae (variable but between 3-5)
how does the coccyx articulate with the sacrum
coccygeal cornu (horns)
what kind of joints are between vertebral bodies
intervertebral discs (secondary cartilaginous)
what kind of joints are between the articular processes
zygopophysial joints (plane synovial)
what are the 2 parts of the IVD
anulus fibrosus
nucleus pulposus
what is the anulus fibrosus
concentric layers of fibrous tissue
what is the nucleus pulposus
gelatinous core that allows IVD to change shape to accomodate movements of the VC
what movements are possible at the VC
lateral flexion
rotation
extension
flexion
