Vertebral Column/Spinal Column Flashcards
The vertebral column consists of these individual bony segments
Vertebrae
In adolescents there are ____ vertebrae segments
33
In ADULTS there are ____vertebrae segments
26
What makes up the 26 vertebrae segments in adults?
1) 24 presacral vertebrae (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar)
2) 5 fused segments of the sacrum
3) 4 fused segments of the coccyx
Three divisions of the PRESACRAL region/SPINE
1) cervical (7)
2) thoracic (12)
3) lumbar/dorsal (5)
Another name for the lumbar vertebrae
Dorsal
This region consists of vertebrae forming the NECK. Contains a total of 7 segments. Considered part of the presacral region.
Cervical region
2-MA-3
- two-toed sloth–(6 segments)
- Manatee–(6 segments)
- Ant bear–(8 segments)
- three-toed sloth–(9 segments)
This region consists of 12 segments. It means ‘breastplate’ or ‘chest’ and dorsal refers to the back or posterior. Considered part of the Presacral region.
Thoracic region
This region means “loin” and includes the region between the HIP and the RIB (5 TOTAL segments are typically identified). Considered part of the Presacral region.
Lumbar region
This region has a connotation with “divine.” It is considered the holy bone of spinal column. Made up of 5 FUSED segments. Important region during child birth
Sacrum
This region means “cuckoo’s bill or beak.” Does NOT start ossifying until age 20
Coccyx
There can be variation in the number of segments found in the _____ and _____ vertebrae.
Thoracic and lumbar
The____spine is the MOST numerically STABLE region of the vertebral column.
Cervical
The variation in segment number and morphology becomes clinically significant when the Chiropractor has to do this.
1) record the site of radiological abnormality OR
2) Identify the specific subluxated segment with palpation
The spinal column accounts for _____% of the total body HEIGHT.
40%
Only about ____% of the population demonstrates all the characteristics for each segment of each region as described in the textbooks. (Many morphologies)
30%
A typical MALE spinal column is about _____cm long
70 cm (27.5-28.75 inches)
A typical FEMALE spinal column is about _____cm to ___inches long.
60 cm (24.5-25.75 inches)
Generally MALE vertebral column is _____inches LONGER than the female vertebral column.
3 inches
Veterbral column at the Cervical region is ____cm or ____inches long
12 cm (5 inches)
Vertebral column at the Thoracic region is ___cm or ___inches long.
28 cm (11 inches)
Vertebral column at the Lumbar region is ___cm or ___inches long.
18 cm (7 inches)
Vertebral column at the Sacral region is___cm or ___Inches long
12 cm (5 inches)
______length appears to be PRIMARILY responsible for HEIGHT variations in the vertebral column.
Femoral
Functions of the Vertebral column
1) Protection
2) Support
3) Skeletal formation of costae (ribs)
4) Weight-bearing transfer (S1-S3)
5) Muscle and ligament attachments for locomotion
6) Shape and position (relationship between vertebral body height and intervertebral disc height)
7) Resiliency (facilitates movement and compensates for tension, torsion, compression, and shear forces)
8) Transmission from and to the CNS
9) Eye and Vestibular apparatus of inner ear require a horizontal axis for optimum function and muscles attached to upper cervical segments help accomplish minute postural changes for maintaining an erect head position
10) Stabilization of visceral function requires neural control and the integrity of the spinal column enhances this.
During the SECOND week in utero the__________ is present and a 2-layered embryo has formed.
Embryonic disc
During the THIRD week in utero, this process occurs and a 3-layered embryo is formed.
Gastrulation
The OUTER layer of the embryo
Ectoderm
The MIDDLE layer of the embryo
Mesoderm
The INNER layer of the embryo
Endoderm
Invagination of the ECTODERM along the PRIMITIVE streak as early as the 16th day (but by the 22nd day) gives rise to this structure
Notochord
The MESODERM layer LATERAL to the notochord differentiates into this type of mesoderm
Paraxial mesoderm
Paraxial mesoderm will give rise to ____________
Vertebral column
Paried cuboidal masses formed from paraxial mesoderm that divide into 3 areas (sclerotome, myotome, dermatome)
Somites
This somite area will give rise to the vertebral column
Sclerotome (hard cut)
This somite area will give rise to vertebral muscles
Myotome (muscle cut)
This somite area will form the skin
Dermatome (skin cut)
Migration of the SCLEROTOME marks the beginning of THREE successive vertebral columns
1) membranous
2) cartilagenous
3) skeletal or osseous
In the membranous vertebral column, as early as the 22nd day in utero, the sclerotomes from somites migrate to surround the notochord and form this structure
Perichordal blastema
In the membranous vertebral column cells from the sclerotome proliferate and migrate POSTERIOR along the sides of the neural tube to form these structures
Neural processes
In the membranous vertebral column, cells from the sclerotome proliferate and migrate LATERALLY to form these structures
Costal processes
The position of the blood vessels in the membranous vertebral column is ______
Intersegmental
Proliferation within the CAUDAL part of the perichordal blastema (membranous vertebral column) results in the appearance of these TWO structures
1) dense caudal sclerotomite
2) loose cranial sclerotomite
This structure is found between the dense caudal and loose cranial sclerotomites of a single perichordal blastema in the membranous vertebral column
Intrasclerotomal fissue (fissue of von Ebner)
Dark region created by the cell density on both sides of the intrasclerotomal fissure in the membranous vertebral column
Perichordal disc
The perichordal disc identifies the location of this structure
Future intervertebral disc
From adjacent perichordal blastema this structure of the UPPER blastema migrates CAUDALLY (in membranous vertebral column)
Dense caudal sclerotomite
From the adjacent perichordal blastema this structure of the LOWER blastema migrates CRANIALLY (in membranous vertebral column)
Loose cranial sclerotomite
The two sclerotomites (loose cranial and dense caudal) UNITE and the cell density within this united structure becomes more homogeneous and forms this structure (in membranous)
Vertebral blastema
The position of adult vertebra will be approximately __________ somite off when compared with original somite locations
One-half
In the membranous vertebral column when the intersegmental artery is placed in the MIDDLE of the vertebral blastema
Segmental artery
From the 6th embryonic week the membranous vertebral blastema undergoes the process of becoming cartilage
Chondrification
The replacement of mesoderm by cartilage begins in the region and proceeds CAUDALLY
Cervical region
By the _____ week the neural tube is enclosed in cartilaginous vertebrae
12th embryonic week
In what embryonic week does the membranous vertebral blastema undergo chondrification
6th embryonic week
When do the somites start to migrate to surround the notochord
22nd day in utero
Centers for chondrification are _____
Paired
The 6 pairs of centers for chondrification in cartilaginous vertebral column
1) one pair for centrum
2) one pair for neural arches
3) one pair for transverse processes
Cartilage is replaced by bone beginning during this embryonic week
7th embryonic week
Ossification will continue AFTER birth until at least this age
25
Bone formation begins in these TWO regions
1) lower cervicals
2) upper thoracics
These centers of ossification arise BEFORE birth
Primary centers
These centers of ossification arise AFTER birth (between birth and puberty)
Secondary centers
In a SINGLE vertebrae there are ______ ossification centers
1) 3 primary centers
2) 5 secondary centers
The_____ centers of ossification arise in the regions of the cartilage template that will form the adult vertebral body and vertebral arch
3 PRIMARY
In the fetus the body and vertebral arch are known as…
1) centrum
2) neural arch
The primary centers of ossification grow toward one another within the cartilage template and the cartilage DECREASES in size to form this structure in the skeletal vertebral column
Cartilage synchondrosis joint (amphiarthrosis synchondrosis)
In developing vertebrae these synchondroses are formed between the centrum center for ossification and the neural arch center for ossification on each side.
Neurocentral synchondrosis
A synchondrosis is formed between the neural arch centers of ossification at the back of the vertebra
Neural arch synchondrosis
The ____ centers for ossification appear in the vertebral body and apophyseal processes of the adult vertebra
5 secondary centers
The apophyseal processes of the adult vertebra
1) tip of the transverse process
2) tip of the spinous process
3) epiphyseal plate regions of the vertebral body
Synchondroses of the secondary centers include
1) epiphyseal ring synchondrosis
2) tip of transverse process synchondrosis
3) tip of spinous process synchondrosis
These centers arise during puberty (11-16) and fuse to the rest of the vertebra by age 25
Secondary centers
With the exception of C1 all the vertebrae have this major bony mass
Vertebral body
Each segment increases in size from ______ to _____
C2 to S1
The shape of the vertebral body is generally _____ in the cervical region
Rectangular
The shape of the vertebral body is generally____ in the thoracic region
Triangular
The shape of the vertebral body is generally____ in the lumbar region
Reniform (kidney-shaped)
The top surface of the vertebral body with a peripheral ring of compact bone
Superior epiphyseal rim
The inside of the compact bony rim of the vertebral body
Spongy or compact bone
The bottom surface of the vertebral body with a peripheral ring of compact bone
Inferior epiphyseal rim
These are found around the circumference of the vertebral body and are small openings where blood vessels penetrate through the cartilaginous template. The arteries supply the compact and marrow cavity through these holes.
Nutrient or vascular foramina
This is a large opening found at the back of the vertebral body where the basivertebral vein exits the marrow cavity.
Basivertebral venous foramina
This is the semicircular bony region connected to the posterior surface of the vertebral body
Vertebral arch
The ANTERIOR part of the vertebral arch attached to the vertebral body
Pedicle
The part of the vertebral arch between the pedicle and lamina that serves as the attaching site for the transverse process and the articular processes
Lamina-pedicle junction
The part of the vertebral arch that UNITES the midline and serves to anchor the spinous process
Lamina
This Pedicle arise from the ________ of the posterolateral margin of the CERVICAL vertebral body
Middle
In the THORACICS and LUMBARS the Pedicle arises from the ______ of the posterolateral margin of the vertebral body
Upper third to half
Small concave indentations or scallops appear on the upper and lower margins of the pedicles
Superior and inferior vertebral notches/incisures
This is created between the pedicles when TWO segments are united in a vertebral couple or motion segment
Intervertebral foramen
The UPPER boundary of the intervertebral foramen is formed by the ______ of the pedicle above
Inferior vertebral notch
The LOWER boundary of the intervertebral foramen is formed by ________ of the lower pedicle
Superior vertebral notch
Cervical Pedicles are more ____ from the vertebral body
PosteroLATERALLY
Thoracic and lumbar pedicles are primarily directed toward the_____ of the vertebral body due to the growth of the spinal cord
Posterior
The laminae are directed _____ and ______ where they unite to complete the vertebral arch
Posterior and Median
The lamina of the two vertebrae appear to OVERLAP on a A-P x-ray and this condition of overlap is known as
Shingling
This is the primary ligament of the lamina and serves to attach the laminae of a vertebral couple together.
Ligamentum flavum
Occasionally the ligamentum flavum can ossify at the site of attachment to form spike-like projections. This would be an example of accessory bone formation
Para-articular processes
This region is best observed from the back or side of the vertebral arch and it is the area between the lamina and the pedicle
Lamina-pedicle junction
The lamina-pedicle junction is called what in the cervicals?
Articular pillar
In the thoracic region the lamina-pedicle junction area is between the articular processes (superior and inferior) and the origin of the transverse processes. What is this region called?
Pars-interarticularis
In the lumbar region, the lamina-pedicle junction are is slightly elevated between the articular processes to form a slight ridge. What is this region called?
Pars-interarticularis
The area where the lamina are fused which provides an area of attachment for the spinous processes.
Spino-laminar junction
The Spino-lateral junction is clinically significant when taking a ______x-ray because the laminae become SUPERIMPOSED on each other on the film creating a GREATER density (whiter image) on the x-ray. The spinous process will appear darker (grayer)
Lateral
The Spino-lateral junction is visualized on x-rays because of this…
Contrasting bone densities
These are tubular bone growths that radiate from the vertebral arch into the transverse, vertical, and posterior planes
Apophyses
Apophyses in the transverse plane are known as…
Transverse processes
Apophyses in the VERTICAL plane are known as…
Articular processes
Apophyses in the POSTERIOR plane are known as…
Spinous processes
In the CERVICAL region the transverse processes are angled _________ from midline
ANTEROLATERALLY and 60 degrees
In the THORACIC region the transverse processes are gradually forced____ by the pressure generated against the ribs from within the thoracic cavity as a result of ______ development
BACKWARD, Lung development
In the LUMBAR region, the transverse processes are directed…
Straight Laterally
The tip of each transverse process is slightly enlarged to form this structure
Transverse tubercle
This is the ANTERIOR part of the transverse process in the cervical, lumbar and sacral regions
Costal elembent
Each articular process (inferior and superior) provides the bony support for a surface for this type of articulation
Synovial joint articulation
The articular processes form these regions or surfaces
Facets
This bears the Superior articular facet
Superior articular process
This bears the inferior articular facet
Inferior articular process
The synovial joint formed by the facets of the vertebral couple
Zygapophysis
This is a union or yoke of tubular bone growth regions
Zygapophysis
Each Zygapophysis is angled from this plane
Coronal
This lies in FRONT of the joint space and may be referred to as the PRE-Zygapophysis
Superior articular process
This lies BEHIND the joint space and may be referred to as the POST-Zygapophysis
Inferior articular process
The ANTERIOR boundaries of the Intervertebral foramen
1) Vertebral body of the vertebra ABOVE
2) Vertebral body of the vertebra BELOW
3) Intervertebral disc
4) Posterior longitudinal ligament
The POSTERIOR boundaries of the Intervertebral foramen
1) POSTzygapophysis of the vertebra ABOVE
2) PREzygapophysis of the vertebra BELOW
3) Capsular ligament of the Zygapophysis
4) Ligamentum flavum
SUPERIOR boundary of the IVF
Inferior vertebral notch
INFERIOR boundary of the IVF
Superior vertebral notch
