Vertebral Column (lec 3) Flashcards
Typical number
(mode) of vertebrae
33, but ranges ~32-34
of cervical v.
7 (C1-C7) ~NECK
of thoracic vertebrae
12 Thoracic v. (T1-T12) ~CHEST/RIBCAGE
of lumbar vertebrae
5 Lumbar v. (L1-L5) ~LOWER BACK
of vertebrae in the sacrum
5 fused sacral v. 1-5)
of vertebrae in the coccyx
(3-5 fused coccygeal v. 1-4)
type of vertebrae
- cervical
- thoracic
- lumbar
- sacrum
- coccyx
of normal curvature in sagittal plane in adults
4
when the primary curvatures originate
‘kyphosis’, originate in embryonic/fetal development (in all vertebrates)
other name for primary curvatures
kyphosis
where are the primary courvature (B)
- thoracic and sacral part of the vertebral column
other name fore the secondary curvatures
lordosis
when the secondary curvatures is developed
in early postnatal growth
are the secondary curvatures are unique to the humans
yes
which part of the vertebral column have a secondary curvature (d)
cervical and lumbar
what are the functions of the secondary lordoses (lumbar and cervical)
keep the body’s center
of mass (head/trunk) aligned
over the feet, reducing muscle
effort required to stand up
what’s increase a misalignment of the vertebral column
back/neck
muscle work and strain on the
vertebrae/disks
misalignments of the vertebral column is due to _ ?
abnormal
curvatures
the characteristics of the cervical vertebrae
- Bifid (split) Spinous Process
- Large Triangular Vertebral Foramen
- Transverse Foramina (with the vertebral artery)
- Uncinate processes: hook-shaped processes on the superior surface of the vertebral bodies of C3-C7
what is the content of the transverse foramen of the cervical vertebrae
the vertebral artery
the shape of the cervical vertebrae foramen
large triangular
which vertebrae have uncinate processes
C3-C7
where are the uncinate processes
on the superior surface of the vertebral bodies
name of C1
Atlas
name of C2
Axis
characteristics of the atlas (C1)
- posterior and anterior arch
- no body
- lateral masses
- superior articulation facets
the superior articular facets articulates with which part of the body
with the skull
what pass trough the Altas
the dens of the axis
characteristics of axis (C2)
have a dens
characteristics of the thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12)
- circular vertebral foramen
- heart-shaped vertebral body
- facets for rib attachment
- long, narrow, sloped spinous process
characteristic of the Lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5)
- smaller triangular vertebral foramen
- kidney-shaped vertebral body (bigger than the thoracic vertebral body)
- short, wide spinous process
the shape of the thoracic body
heart-shaped
why the thoracic vertebrae have facets
to attach to the ribs
the characteristics of the spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae
long, narrow and sloped
shaped of the vertebral foramen of the thoracic vertebrae
circular
the shape of the vertebral foramen of the lumbar vertebrae
small triangle
the shape of the vertebral body of the lumbar vertebrae
kidney
characteristics of the spinous process of the lumbar vertebrae
short + wide
function of the condylar joints
nodding, head flexion and extension, minimal lateral F/E, axial rotation
the function of the alar ligaments
secure the dens to the skull
function of the cruciform ligament
longitudinal fibers supporting the dens
the functions of the transverse ligament
encircles the dens and keeps it against the
anterior arch of C1, turns that articulation into a pivot joint
classification of the intervertebral joints
Solid: Symphysis Joint
(bone-fibrocartilage-bone)
the function of the uncovertebral joints
Guide flexion/extension of cervical
spine while limiting lateral flexion
disc herniation
Progressive protrusion of the
nucleus pulposus through weak
spots in the annulus fibrosus,
most often in lumbar region.
Creates nerve impingement =
pain, numbness, tingling
where happen the disc herniation most of the time
lumbar region
role of the zygapophyseal joints in the cervical spine
- Transverse orientation
- (esp. C1-C2)
- Axial rotation, some F/E
role of the zygapophyseal joints in the thoracic spine
- Coronal orient.
- Axial rotation
- Some F/E, lat F/E
role of the zygapophyseal joints in the lumbar region
- Sagittal orient.
- Lateral F/E
- Some F/E
classification of the zygapophyseal joints
Synovial, Plane/Gliding
the zygapophyseal joints paired what
articulation between facets on
Superior and Inferior articular process
the movement of the zygapophyseal joint
Each zygapophyseal joint pair on its own has limited movement, but the sum of
these small movements makes for a greater ROM for the spine
what’s movement of the vertebral column are possible
Sagittal F/E, lateral F/E, and axial rotation possible at all joints/segments
movement of the cervical, lumbar and thoracic spine
E/F
movement of the lumbar spine
Lateral F/E
mmovement of the cervical spine
rotation of head and neck
movement of the thoracic spine
rotation of upper trunk
what’s the function of the ligaments of the vertebral column
- Ligaments that reinforce joints but also keep motions in check.
where are the A/P longitudinal ligaments
run the length of the vertebral column
along anterior and posterior borders of the vertebral bodies
function of the inter transverse ligament
Extending between transverse
processes of adjacent vertebrae
function of the ligaments flavour
Extending between laminae of
adjacent vertebrae
Spinal lordoses (evolution)
align center of mass
of a biped over its feet
evolution
Increased size of vertebral bodies
from superior to inferior
