Vertebral Column (Pt. 1) Flashcards
How many vertebrae and intervertebral discs are present in the body?
33
List the different sections of the vertebral column and how many individual vertebrae are in each.
- Cervical 7
- Thoracic 12
- Lumbar 5
- Sacral 5
- Coccyx 4
What are the 3 functions of the vertebral column?
- Support (upright posture)
- Protection (spinal cord and spinal nerves)
- Movement (flexion/extension, side flexion, rotation of the neck and trunk)
What 3 features are common to all vertebrae?
- Vertebral Body
- Vertebral Arch
- Processes (spinous, transverse, articular processes)
What is the function of the vertebral body?
Gives strength and weight bearing.
What are vertebral foramen?
Formed by the vertebral arch and posterior vertebral body. The inner foramen of each individual vertebrae.
What are the intervertebral foramina of the spine?
The spaces between each vertebrae which can be observed at a lateral view
What function do the spinous processes and transverse processes have in common?
They both serve as attachment points for muscles and ligaments.
Which processes bear an articular surface (facet) for zygapophysial joints?
Articular Processes.
Which vertebrae of the cervical region contains no body or a spinous process?
Atlas C1
What is the most distinguishing characteristic of the axis C2?
Dens/Odontoid Process
What movement does the Atlantoaxial joint allow for?
Head rotation.
Which vertebrae has commonly the most prominent spinous process? (70% of population)
C7
In which general direction do the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae point?
Postero-inferiorly
Which region of vertebrae are built for weight bearing? Why?
Lumbar, they have a large body.
How is the coccyx composed?
The fusion of 4 rudimentary coccygeal vertebrae (can be more or less)
Which structure of the sacrum articulates with the coccyx?
The Apex of the sacrum
Which vertebrae has a special landmark called the prominens?
a) C1
b) C2
c) C7
d) T1
e) L1
c) C7
Regarding the spinal column, what does locomotion mean?
Other body segments such as the legs work due to the spinal cord.
What is the function of the body of the vertebrae?
Weight bearing
How many articular processes does each typical vertebrae have?
4 (2 superior, 2 inferior) for articulation with the corresponding vertebrae above and below
In which direction do the size of the vertebral bodies increase?
As the column descends downward
What 2 structure of the vertebrae form the vertebral arch?
Pedicles and Lamina
What does vertebral foramen become when adjacent vertebrae are stacked together?
Vertebral Column
A single vertebrae has a vertebral notch, what do consecutive notches become when column is stacked?
Foramina (only viewable on the lateral aspect)
Which region of the vertebra column allows for quality rotation of the neck?
Cervical
“Bifid” = ?
Split
What structures are special to the cervical vertebral region? What is the purpose?
Transverse foramina; permit the passage way of blood vessels called the vertebra artery and vein.
Which region of the vertebral column is efficient in side flexion?
Thoracic Region
What movement is the lumbar region of the vertebral column efficient at?
Flexion/extension.
The sacrum houses the ______ _______, which is the continuation of the spinal cord.
Cauda Equina
What do the sacral foramina do?
Exit of nerve roots
The medial sacral crest is equivalent to what of the vertebral columns?
Spinous processes (continued)
What surface of the sacrum articulates with the surface of the ilium to form the sacro-iliac joint?
Auricular Surface
Where does weight bearing end within the vertebral column?
Ends at the sacrum.
