Vertebral Column (Quiz 1/Test 1) Flashcards
For stability of the axis, the vertebral column has 2 contradictory mechanical requirements. What are they?
rigidity and plasticity
If the axis is in the position of symmetry, the forces on either side are in….
equilibrium
The vertebral column is the central pillar of the trunk and protects the….
neuraxis
What structure is the most anterior main mass of bone in a vertebra and is cylindrical with concave sidewalls?
the body
The body of a vertebra consists of 3 parts. What are they?
1) centrum (main mass of vertebral body)
2) superior epiphysis (top endplate)
3) inferior epiphysis (bottom endplate)
vertebrae are attached by IVDs
What attaches the vertebral arch to vertebral body?
pedicles
What is a superior pedicle notch?
depression on top of pedicle
What is inferior pedicle notch?
depression on bottom of pedicle
What do pedicles articulate with?
intervertebral foramina (IVFs)
What forms a lever arm for muscle attachment?
spinous processes/spinous/spine and transverse processes
What is another name for superior articular process?
pre-zygopophyses
What is another name for inferior articular process?
post-zygopophyses
What must a typical vertebra have?
-body
-2 pedicles
-2 laminae
-spinous process
-2 transverse processes
-2 pre-zygopophyses
-2 post-zygopophyses
What are the typical vertebrae of the cervical spine?
C3-C6
What are the typical vertebrae of the thoracic spine?
T2-T8
What are the typical vertebrae of the lumbar spine?
L1-L4
Is the axis/C2 a unique vertebra?
yes bc of the dens
Is C1/atlas a unique vertebra?
yes bc it has no body
What are the atypical vertebrae of the cervical spine?
C1, C2, C7
What are the atypical vertebrae of the thoracic spine?
T1, T9-T12
Is the sacrum/coccyx considered typical or atypical?
neither, they’re weird
How long is the male spine in inches?
23 in
How long is the male spinal column in inches?
28 in
How long is the female spine in inches?
20 in
How long is the female spinal column in inches?
25 in
The sacrococcygeal spine is approx how many inches in both genders?
5 in
IVDs are approx what percent or length in inches?
25% or 7 inches in length (75% is vertebrae)
What are the many functions of the spinal column as an organ?
-forms the central axis of the body
-center of balance
-main base for limb motions
-protection and transmission of spinal cord and nerves
-support and weight-bearing head, neck, arms, viscera
-resiliency to move
-absorbs shocks (IVDs and curves)
-protects viscera (especially brain and spinal cord)
-trunk mobility (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, circumduction)
-body shape and position (erect posture/body contours)
-skeletal formation (helps form posterior abdominal and thoracic walls)
-hematopoiesis (new RBC formation within vertebral bodies, scapulae, sternum, pelvis within bone marrow)
What is the superior boundary of the vertebral canal?
foramen magnum in the occiput
What is the inferior boundary of the vertebral canal?
sacral hiatus
What is the anterior boundary of the vertebral canal?
posterior vertebral bodies/ IVDs
What is the lateral boundary of the vertebral canal?
pedicles/ IVFs
What is the posterior boundary of the vertebral canal?
laminae/yellow ligament
a neural ring/foramen is….
1 vertebra
2 or more vertebrae is called….
neural/spinal/vertebral canal
Which canal has the largest cross-sectional diameter?
cervical canal
Which canals have an apex posterior triangular shape?
cervical and lumbar canal
Which canal accommodates brachial swelling from C4-T1?
cervical canal
Which canal has the smallest cross-sectional diameter?
thoracic canal
Which canal is round in shape?
thoracic canal
Which canal accommodates intercostal nerves?
thoracic canal
Which canal is the second largest?
lumbar canal (between thoracic and cervical in size)
Which canal accommodates lumbar swelling and the cauda equinae (T11-S1)?
lumbar canal
sacral canal accommodates just the cauda equinae
Where does the spinal cord end?
L1/L2 IVD level
Which canal is large on top and then tapers into a hiatus?
sacral canal
Which canal is a flattened triangle in shape?
sacral canal
define spinal nerve
nerve root from cord to primary division (dorsal/ventral rami)
How many spinal nerve pairs are there?
31 pairs (L/R), named spinal nerve 1-32 from top to bottom
How many cervical spinal nerves are there?
spinal nerves 1-8th pairs
C1-C8 spinal nerves
these nerves exit the neural canal above vertebra of the same number
ex: C4 spinal nerves go through C3/C4 IVF
How many thoracic spinal nerves are there?
spinal nerves 9-20th pairs
T1-T12 spinal nerves
these nerves exit the neural canal below the vertebra of the same number
ex: T4 spinal nerves go through T4/T5 IVFs
How many lumbar spinal nerves are there?
spinal nerves 21-25th pairs
L1-L5 spinal nerves
these nerves exit the neural canal below the vertebrae of the same number
ex: L4 spinal nerves go through L4/L5 IVFs
How many sacral spinal nerves are there?
spinal nerves 26-30th pairs
S1-S5 spinal nerves
these nerves exit the neural canal below the segment of the same number
ex: S4 spinal nerves go through S4/S5 IVFs
S5 spinal nerves exit through the sacral hiatus
How many coccygeal spinal nerves are there?
31st pair (1 on L/R)
L/R coccygeal spinal nerves exit through the sacral hiatus
these nerves are called pudendal nerves
How many pairs are there of IVFs?
31 pairs (divided into true and false IVFs)
How many true IVFs are there?
23 pairs
How are true IVFs formed?
by articulation of superior/inferior pedicle notches
Where are true IVFs found?
from C2/C3 to L5/S1
What do true IVFs accommodate?
spinal nerves C3 to L5
How many false IVFs are there?
8 pairs
What do the false IVFs accommodate?
spinal nerves C1, C2, S1-S5, and Cx1
How are false IVFs divided?
into A/P foramina in the sacrum
Which IVFs are the smallest?
cervical spine
Which IVFs are the largest?
lumbar spine
