Vertebral Column (Pt. 1)

Question 1

How many vertebrae and intervertebral discs are present in the body?

Answer 1

33

Question 2

List the different sections of the vertebral column and how many individual vertebrae are in each.

Answer 2

• Cervical 7
• Thoracic 12
• Lumbar 5
• Sacral 5
• Coccyx 4

Question 3

What are the 3 functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 3

• Support (upright posture)
• Protection (spinal cord and spinal nerves)
• Movement (flexion/extension, side flexion, rotation of the neck and trunk)

Question 4

What 3 features are common to all vertebrae?

Answer 4

• Vertebral Body
• Vertebral Arch
• Processes (spinous, transverse, articular processes)

Question 5

What is the function of the vertebral body?

Answer 5

Gives strength and weight bearing.

Question 6

What are vertebral foramen?

Answer 6

Formed by the vertebral arch and posterior vertebral body. The inner foramen of each individual vertebrae.

Question 7

What are the intervertebral foramina of the spine?

Answer 7

The spaces between each vertebrae which can be observed at a lateral view

Question 8

What function do the spinous processes and transverse processes have in common?

Answer 8

They both serve as attachment points for muscles and ligaments.

Question 9

Which processes bear an articular surface (facet) for zygapophysial joints?

Answer 9

Articular Processes.

Question 10

Which vertebrae of the cervical region contains no body or a spinous process?

Answer 10

Atlas C1

Question 11

What is the most distinguishing characteristic of the axis C2?

Answer 11

Dens/Odontoid Process

Question 12

What movement does the Atlantoaxial joint allow for?

Answer 12

Head rotation.

Question 13

Which vertebrae has commonly the most prominent spinous process? (70% of population)

Answer 13

C7

Question 14

In which general direction do the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae point?

Answer 14

Postero-inferiorly

Question 15

Which region of vertebrae are built for weight bearing? Why?

Answer 15

Lumbar, they have a large body.

Question 16

How is the coccyx composed?

Answer 16

The fusion of 4 rudimentary coccygeal vertebrae (can be more or less)

Question 17

Which structure of the sacrum articulates with the coccyx?

Answer 17

The Apex of the sacrum

Question 18

Which vertebrae has a special landmark called the prominens?

a) C1
b) C2
c) C7
d) T1
e) L1

Answer 18

c) C7

Question 19

Regarding the spinal column, what does locomotion mean?

Answer 19

Other body segments such as the legs work due to the spinal cord.

Question 20

What is the function of the body of the vertebrae?

Answer 20

Weight bearing

Question 21

How many articular processes does each typical vertebrae have?

Answer 21

4 (2 superior, 2 inferior) for articulation with the corresponding vertebrae above and below

Question 22

In which direction do the size of the vertebral bodies increase?

Answer 22

As the column descends downward

Question 23

What 2 structure of the vertebrae form the vertebral arch?

Answer 23

Pedicles and Lamina

Question 24

What does vertebral foramen become when adjacent vertebrae are stacked together?

Answer 24

Vertebral Column

Question 25

A single vertebrae has a vertebral notch, what do consecutive notches become when column is stacked?

Answer 25

Foramina (only viewable on the lateral aspect)

Question 26

Which region of the vertebra column allows for quality rotation of the neck?

Answer 26

Cervical

Question 27

“Bifid” = ?

Answer 27

Split

Question 28

What structures are special to the cervical vertebral region? What is the purpose?

Answer 28

Transverse foramina; permit the passage way of blood vessels called the vertebra artery and vein.

Question 29

Which region of the vertebral column is efficient in side flexion?

Answer 29

Thoracic Region

Question 30

What movement is the lumbar region of the vertebral column efficient at?

Answer 30

Flexion/extension.

Question 31

The sacrum houses the ______ _______, which is the continuation of the spinal cord.

Answer 31

Cauda Equina

Question 32

What do the sacral foramina do?

Answer 32

Exit of nerve roots

Question 33

The medial sacral crest is equivalent to what of the vertebral columns?

Answer 33

Spinous processes (continued)

Question 34

What surface of the sacrum articulates with the surface of the ilium to form the sacro-iliac joint?

Answer 34

Auricular Surface

Question 35

Where does weight bearing end within the vertebral column?

Answer 35

Ends at the sacrum.