Vertebral Column Notes Flashcards
1
Q
vertebrae also called-
A
spine
2
Q
vertebrae forms-
A
central axis of skeleton
3
Q
functions of vertebrae (4)-
A
-holding up body
-structural support for skull/trunk
-muscle attachment
-protection of spinal cord
4
Q
vertebra composed of-
A
small bone segments called vertebra
5
Q
each vertebra is divided by-
A
fibrocartilage disks
6
Q
each vertebra held together by-
A
ligaments that allows flexibility in all directions
7
Q
number of vertebrae-
A
33
8
Q
number of cervical vertebrae-
A
7
9
Q
number of thoracic vertebrae-
A
12
10
Q
number of lumbar vertebrae-
A
5
11
Q
number of sacral vertebrae-
A
5
12
Q
number of coccygeal vertebrae-
A
3-5 (average is 4)
13
Q
first 24 segments remain-
A
individual
14
Q
first 24 segments of vertebrae called-
A
true vertebrae
15
Q
sacral & coccygeal form into 2 segments-
A
sacrum & coccyx
16
Q
sacral & coccygeal vertebrae also called-
A
false vertebrae
17
Q
4 curves of the spine when viewed laterally-
A
-cervical
-thoracic
-lumbar
-pelvic
18
Q
4 curves of the spine also referred to as-
A
convex/concave anteriorly
19
Q
____ & _____ convex anteriorly-
A
cervical & lumbar
20
Q
convex curves of cervical & lumbar also called-
A
lordotic curves
21
Q
____ & ____ concave anteriorly-
A
thoracic & pelvic
22
Q
concave curves of thoracic & pelvic vertebrae also called-
A
kyphotic curves
23
Q
kyphosis-
A
-abnormal increase/curvature/concavity of thoracic spine
-termed kyphotic curved enhanced
24
Q
lordosis-
A
abnormal increase/curvature/convexity in lumbar spine
25
normally, the spine lies in-
MSP
26
scoliosis-
abnormal lateral curvature & rotation
27
thoracic & pelvic vertebrae also called-
primary curves (in the same position from birth)
28
cervical & lumbar vertebrae also called-
secondary curves (they develop after birth)
29
2 parts of vertebrae-
-body (typical body)
-vertebral arch
30
body & arch of the vertebrae form-
a large opening called the vertebral foramen
31
articulated columns of the vertebrae put together are called-
vertebral foramina
32
vertebral foramina form-
the vertebral canal which incases the entire spinal cord
33
shape of the vertebral body-
cylindrical
34
vertebral column is mostly-
cancellous bone covered in a layer of compact tissue
35
superior & inferior aspects of the vertebral bodies separated by-
intervertebral disks
36
intervertebral disk spaces form-
cartilaginous into vertebral joints
37
each disk space has-
simi gelatinous material inner portion
38
simi gelatinous material in the inner portion of each disk space is called-
nucleus pulposus
39
nucleus pulpous surrounded by-
tougher cartilage layer called annulus fibrosis
40
Herniated Nucleus Pulposus-
nucleus pulposus ruptures/protrudes into the vertebral canal & pinches the spinal nerve
41
vertebral arch formed by-
2 pedicles & 2 laminae
42
vertebral arch forms the-
actual circle of the arch
43
vertebral arch supports-
-4 articular processes
-2 transverse processes
-1 spinous process
44
pedicles-
short, thick process that projects posteriorly from each side of the body
45
pedicles have concave areas on-
top & bottom
46
superior & inferior articular processes-
concave areas just posterior to pedicles
47
z-joints connections-
b/w inferior & superior articular processes of each articulating vertebrae
48
intervertebral foramina-
concavities of pedicles leave openings where spinal nerves & blood vessels exit spinal column
49
transverse process-
-projects laterally & posteriorly
-junction point of pedicles & laminae on each side
50
broad, flat laminae-
-project from pedicles posteriorly & medially
-meet at the center of the vertebrae
51
spinous processes-
-projects posteriorly & inferiorly
-at midpoint of vertebral arch
52
spina bifida-
-failure of laminae to join posteriorly in the midline
-in severe cases will allow spinal cord to protrude
53
vertebral articulations (2 types)-
-intervertebral joints
-z-joints
54
intervertebral joints-
-joints b/w intervertebral joints
-cartilagous synthesis joints
-each point gives slight movement, but as a whole allows for considerable movement
55
z-joints-
-joints b/w arches
-synovial gliding joints (permit free movement)
-movement permitted by entire vertebral column
56
movements of the z-joints (4)-
-flexion
-extension
-lateral flexion
-rotation
57
another name for C1-
atlas
58
cervical vertebrae shape-
ring-like structure w: no body
59
length of cervical spinous processes-
very short
60
atlas consists of-
-anterior & posterior arch
-2 transverse processes
-2 lateral masses
61
arches of cervical extend-
b/w each of the masses
62
anterior/posterior transverse Atlanta ligament-
separates into 2 parts
63
anterior portion of cervical ring receives-
dens/odontoid process of C2
64
posterior portion of cervical houses the-
spinal cord
65
each lateral mass of the cervical has-
-transverse process projecting on each side
-superior & inferior articular process
-facet
66
cervical are the only ones that have-
transverse foramen
67
another name for C2-
axis
68
Dens (Odontiod process)-
C2 vertebrae that has a chronicle process rising from the upper surface
69
C2 acts as-
a pivot for C1
70
located on each side of the dens are-
superior articular processes
71
superior articular processes of the dens connect to-
lateral masses of C1
72
inferior surface of C2 connect to-
C3
73
1st set of z-joints located in-
C2
74
z-joints of C1 & C2 viewed from-
AP perspective
75
C7 also called-
vertebral prominence
76
C7 is also called vertebral prominence because-
-it has a long prominent spinous process that projects almost horizontally
-is palpable at the base of the neck
77
vertebral process of C7 used to locate-
C7/T1 interspace
78
transverse foramina allow for transmission of-
vertebral artery & vein
79
spinous process of typical vertebrae has ____ on ends-
bifid tips
80
transverse processes of C3-C7 arise from-
the body & the arch
81
the processes of C3-C7 are-
very short & wide w: small transverse foramina
82
C3-C7 has a deep concavity on the upper surface for-
passage of spinal nerves
83
superior & inferior tips of C3-C7 are located-
posterior to the transverse processes where pedicles & laminae unite
84
on the superior & inferior tips of C3-C7, pedicles & laminae unite & form-
articular pillars which lead to z-joints b/w the vertebrae
85
z-joints sit at an angle to-
MSP
86
on the c-spine, z-joints are best seen-
-at 90*
-on a lateral projection
87
intervertebral foramina sit-
-45* angle from MSP
-15* from horizontal
88
intervertebral foramina best seen-
45* oblique w: a 15* cephalic angle
89
special articulations of the cervical-
-b/w atlas & occipital
-b/w _____ (synovial, ellipsoidal joint
90
name given to the special articulations of the cervical-
Atlanta occipital
91
technique that can be used for a lateral c-spine instead of a grid-
airgat
92
postero/lateral-
b/w the side & the back
93
thoracic vertebrae also have costal facets for-
articulation w: heads of the ribs
94
w: exception of T11 & T12, each transverse process also has a facet for-
connection of the tubercle w: the ribs
95
in the T-spine, z-joints angle to form _____ within MCP & _____ within MSP-
-15*-20* within MCP
-70*-75* within MSP
96
in a T-spine, z-joints are best seen-
in an oblique
97
in the T-spine, are ____ to MSP-
perpendicular
98
in the T-spine, intervertebral foramina are best seen-
in a lateral
99
transverse processes of the L-spine are similar to-
those of the thoracic
100
spinous processes in the L-spine are ____, ____, & ____-
large, thick, & blunt
101
pars interarticularis (L-Spine)-
space b/w superior & inferior articular processes
102
on the L-spine, connections b/w superior & inferior articular processes are-
z-joints
103
z-joints in the L-spine sit ___ from MSP-
30*-60* angle
104
z-joints of the L-spine best seen-
in a 45* oblique
105
intervertebral foramina of the L-spine sit _____ to MSP-
at a right angle
106
intervertebral foramina of the L-spine best seen-
in a lateral
107
spondylolisthesis-
acquired defect of pars interarticularis
108
sacrum formed by-
the fusion of 5 sacral segments into a curved triangular bone
109
sacrum is a-
wedge b/w the 2 iliac bones of the pelvis
110
size & degree of curvature of the sacrum varies-
-greatly w: different patients
-more curved in females than males
111
superior surface of the sacrum is called-
base
112
sacral promontory-
on the anterior surface front of the base is a prominent ridge/protrusion
113
sacral canal-
-directly behind fused vertebral bodies
-a continuation of the vertebral canal
-contains & transmits sacral nerves
114
on the anterior/posterior walls of the sacral canal, there are-
perforated by 4 pair of pelvic/savral foramina for passage of sacral nerves & vessels
115
alae-
wing like structures on each side of the sacral base
116
on the lateral surface of the sacrum are-
articular surfaces (joints) for connections w: the ilia
117
inferior surface of the sacrum-
-termed the apex
-has an oval facet at the bottom for connection w: the coccyx
118
coccyx composed of-
3-5 rudimentary vertebrae (avg. is 4)
119
superior portion of the coccyx called-
base
120
inferior portion of the coccyx called-
apex
121
coccyx forms-
articulations of the sacrum
122
coccyx curves-
anteriorly
123
SI Joints-
connections b/w sacrum & iliac column
124
SI Joints lie _____ from MSP-
25*-30*
