Vertebral Column/Spinal Column Flashcards
What is the number of vertebrae in a typical adolescent?
33 segments
What is the number of vertebrae in a typical adult?
26 segments
What constitutes the spine?
The 24 presacral segments; the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae
How many segments unite to form the typical sacrum?
5 segments
How many segments unite to form the typical coccyx?
4 segments
What does the term “cervical” refer to?
The region of the neck
What is the typical number of segments in the cervical region?
7 segments
What does the term “thoracic” refer to?
Breast plate or chest; it is referred to the armor bearing region of the torso
What other term is often used to identify the vertebral segments of the chest?
The dorsal segments; the dorsals
What is the typical number of segments in the dorsal or thoracic region?
12 segments
What does the term “lumbar” refer to?
The loin; the region between the rib and the hip
What is the typical number of segments in the lumbar region?
5 segments
What does the term “sacrum” refer to?
The holy bone or holy region
What does the term coccyx refer to?
A cuckoo birds’ bill or cuckoo birds’ beak
Which region of the spine is more stable in terms of the number of segments/vertebrae?
The cervical region
What is the length of a typical male spinal column?
About 70 centimeters of 28 inches
What is the length of a typical female spinal column?
About 60 centimeters or 25 inches
What is the difference in length between a typical male and typical female spinal column?
About 3 inches
What is the length of the male cervical region (both measurements)?
About 12 centimeters or 5 inches
What is the length of the male thoracic region (both measurements)?
About 28 centimeters or 11 inches
What is the length of the male lumbar region (both measurements)?
About 18 centimeters or 7 inches
What is the length of the male sacrum (both measurements)?
About 12 centimeters or 5 inches
Based on the numbers for individual regions of the vertebral column, what is the length of the male spine (both measurements)?
About 58 centimeters or 23 inches
How does the vertebral column participate in protection of neural tissues?
The spinal cord and beginning PNS are located within the vertebral segments
How does the vertebral column participate in protection of the viscera?
Ribs are attached to vertebrae to form the thorax thus protecting the heart and lungs
What parts of the body are supported by the vertebral column?
The head, upper extremities, ribs, viscera, and pelvis
How does the vertebral column participate in skeletal formation?
Ribs are formed from the costal process of the embryonic vertebral template
What levels of the vertebral column specifically accommodate weight-bearing transfer?
S1-S3 at the auricular surface
Distinguish between motion and locomotion.
Motion= movement without travel Locomotion= movement to a new site or location
What is specifically responsible for shape and position of the human frame?
Comparative anterior vs posterior height of the vertebral body and comparative anterior vs posterior height of the intervertebral disc
How does the vertebral column accommodate transmission?
The peripheral nerve communicates with the central nervous system via the intervertebral foramen
What organ(s) is/are specifically associated with the horizontal axis of the skull?
The eye and the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear
How is the vertebral column involved in stabilization of visceral function?
Integrity of the spinal column enhances appropriate nerve system control of viscera
When does gastrulation occur or a 3-layered embryo form?
Third week in utero
What are the 3 layers of the embryo called?
Ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm
Invagination of ectoderm along the primitive streak gives rise to what embryonic structure?
Notochord
What is the name given to the mesoderm that will give rise to the vertebral column?
Paraxial mesoderm
What does the paraxial mesoderm give rise to that will form the vertebral column?
Somites
Name the areas of cellular differentiation formed within the somites…
Sclerotome, Myotome, and Dermatome
What part of the somite will give rise to the vertebral column?
Sclerotome
List, in order, the names of the successive vertebral columns formed during development…
Membranous, Cartilaginous, Skeletal or Osseous
Migration of sclerotomes to surround the notochord forms what developmental feature?
The perichordal blastema
The perichordal blastema gives rise to what processes?
Neural processes and costal processes
What is the name of the artery located between adjacent perichordal blastema?
Intersegmental artery
Cell proliferation within the perichordal blastema will result in what features?
A loose cranial sclerotomite and a dense caudal sclerotomite
What forms between the sclerotomites of a perichordal blastema?
The intrasclerotomal fissure (fissure of von Ebner)
The intrasclerotomal fissure (fissure of von Ebner) gives rise to what developmental feature?
The perichordal disc
The perichordal disc in the presumptive location of what adult feature?
The intervertebral disc
What is the earliest embryonic feature that will identify the position of the adult intervertebral disc?
The intrasclerotomal fissure (fissure of von Ebner)
The union of a dense caudal sclerotomite and a loose cranial sclerotomite from adjacent perichordal blastema gives rise to what feature?
The vertebral blastema
What vessel will be identified adjacent to the vertebral blastema?
The segmental artery
When will cartilage first form in the membranous vertebral blastema?
Beginning in the sixth embryonic week
What is the name given to the replacement of mesoderm by cartilage?
Chondrification
Chondrification is first identified in which region of the embryonic vertebral column?
The cervical region
What are the names given to the centers of chondrification within the vertebral blastema?
Centrum center, neural arch center, transverse process center
How many centers of chondrification typically appear in the vertebral blastema?
Six… Two for the centrum, Two for the neural arch, Two for each transverse process
What is the earliest time that centers of ossification appear in the cartilaginous vertebrae?
During the seventh embryonic week
Ossification beings in which region of the embryonic vertebral column?
The lower cervical-upper thoracic region
What is the name given to centers of ossification based on time of appearance?
Primary centers appear in utero, secondary centers appear after birth
What is the ratio of primary to secondary centers of ossification for a typical vertebra?
3 primary centers, 5 secondary centers
What are the names of the primary centers of ossification for a typical vertebra?
Centrum centers and neural arch centers
How many primary centers of ossification appear in the typical vertebra?
Three… One for the centrum, Two for the neural arches
What is the classification of the joint forming between primary centers of ossification?
Cartilage synchondrosis/amphiarthrosis synchondrosis
What are the names of the synchondroses forming between primary centers of ossification in the typical vertebra?
Neurocentral synchondrosis and neural arch synchondrosis
What are the names of the five secondary centers of ossification for a typical vertebra?
Tip of transverse process (X2), tip of spinous process, epiphyseal plate centers (X2)
How many secondary centers of ossification appear in the typical vertebra?
Five… One for the tip of each transverse process, One for the tip of the spinous process, One for each epiphyseal plate
What are the names of the synchondroses forming between secondary centers of ossification and the rest of the typical vertebra?
Tip of the transverse process synchondrosis, Tip of the spinous process synchondrosis, and Epiphyseal ring synchondrosis
What is the range of appearance for secondary centers of ossification of a typical vertebra?
During puberty, typically ages 11-16 years old
What are the three basic osseous parts of a vertebra?
The vertebral body, vertebral arch, and the apophyseal regions
What is formed by the vertebral body and vertebral arch?
The vertebral foramen
What is the general shape of the vertebral body at each region of the spine?
Cervical- rectangular
Thoracic- triangular
Lumbar- rentiform
What is the name given to the compact bone at the superior and inferior surfaces of the vertebral body?
Superior and Inferior Epiphyseal Rim
What is the name given to the cartilage found at the superior and inferior surface of a developing vertebral body?
Superior and Inferior Epiphyseal Plate
What are the names of the opening found around the margins of the vertebral body?
Nutrient foramina or Vascular foramina
What large opening is usually observed at the back of the vertebral body?
Basivertebral venous foramen
What is the name of the vessel entering the nutrient or vascular foramen?
Osseous Artery
What is the name given to the large vessel exiting the back of the vertebral body?
Basivertebral Vein
What is the semicircular region of bone attached to the back of the vertebral body called?
The vertebral arch
What is the name given to the anterior part of the vertebral arch?
Pedicle
What is the name given to the posterior part of the vertebral arch?
Lamina
What is the name given to the intermediate part of the vertebral arch where the transverse process and the articular processes attach?
The lamina-pedicle junction
What is the name of the feature located at the upper and lower surfaces of the pedicle?
Superior vertebral notch/incisure
Inferior vertebral notch/incisure
What is the generic orientation of the pedicle at each region of the spine?
Cervical- posterolateral
Thoracic- posterior, slightly lateral
Lumbar- posterior
All lamina are orientated in what direction?
Posterior and median
What is the name given to the overlap of laminae seen on an X-ray?
Shingling
What ligament will attach to the lamina?
Ligamentum flavum
What is the name given to abnormal bone at the attachment site of the ligamentum flavum?
Para-articular process
What classification of bone will para-articular processes represent?
Accessory bone
What is the name given to the lamina-pedicle junction at each region of the spine?
Cervicals- articular pillar
Thoracic and Lumbar- pars interarticularis
What is the name given to the junction of the vertebral arch-spinous process on lateral X-ray?
The spinolaminar junction
What is the name given to the tubular bone growth regions of the vertebral arch?
Apophyseal regions
What names may be given to each apophysis of the spine?
Transverse apophysis OR Transverse process
Articular apophysis OR Articular process
Spinous apophysis OR spinous process
What is the generic orientation of the transverse process/apophysis at each region of the spine?
Cervical- anterolateral
Thoracic- posterolateral
Lumbar- lateral
All non-rib-bearing vertebra of the spine retain what equivalent feature?
Costal element
What is the name given to the rounded elevation at the end of the transverse process/apophysis?
Transverse tubercle
What will cause the transverse process/apophysis to alter the initial direction in the cervical region?
Cervical spinal nerves are pulled forward and downward to form the cervical and brachial nerve plexuses thus remodeling the transverse process to accommodate their new position
What will cause the transverse process/apophysis the alter the initial direction in the thoracic region?
The growth of the lungs remodel the shape of the ribs which in turn push the transverse processes backward
What will the articular process/apophysis support?
The articular facet
What is the name given to the joint formed between articular facets of a vertebral couple?
The zygapophysis
What is the name given to the bone surface at the front of a zygapophysis?
Superior articular facet
What is the name given to the bone surface at the back of a zygapophysis?
Inferior articular facet
What names are given to the part of the vertebra which supports the front of the zygapophysis?
The superior articular apophysis, the superior articular process, or the pre-zygapophysis
What names are given to the part of the vertebra which supports the back of the zygapophysis?
The inferior articular apophysis, the inferior articular process, or the post-zygapophysis
In the vertebral couple, the part of the vertebra which lies anterior to the zygapophysis is called the…
Pre-zygapophysis
In the vertebral couple, the part of the vertebra which lies posterior to the zygapophysis is called the…
Post-zygapophysis
What is the name given to the part of the vertebra forming the pre-zygapophysis?
The superior articular process/apophysis
What is the name given to the part of the vertebra forming the post-zygapophysis?
The inferior articular process/apophysis
What is the method of calculating the angle of the spinous process/apophysis?
Calculate the angle formed between the undersurface of the spinous process/apophysis and the horizontal plane
**What is the name given to the normal overlap of spinous processes/apophyses as seen on X-ray?
Imbrication
What is the name given to the rounded elevation at the tip of the spinous process/apophysis?
Spinous tubercle
What is the orientation of the spinous process/apophysis at each region of the spine?
Cervicals- slight angle inferiorly
Thoracic- noticeable angle inferiorly
Lumbar- no inferior angle
What will form the posterior boundary of a typical intervertebral foramen?
The inferior articular process/post-zygapophysis, the superior articular process/pre-zygapophysis, the capsular ligament, and the ligamentum flavum
What will form the superior boundary of a typical intervertebral foramen?
The inferior vertebral notch/incisure
What will form the inferior boundary of a typical intervertebral foramen?
The superior vertebral notch/incisure
What will form the anterior boundary of a typical intervertebral foramen?
The vertebral body of the segment above, the vertebral body of the segment below, the intervertebral disc, and the posterior longitudinal ligament
What name is given to the opening located within the vertebral body-vertebral arch enclosure?
The vertebral foramen
The union of all vertebral foramina forms an apparent vertical cylinder called the…
Vertebral canal or spinal canal
What neural structures will occupy the vertebral foramen until the level of L2?
The spinal cord/spinal medulla/medulla spinalis, the proximal part of the peripheral nervous system, and the meninges
What is the typical shape/outline of the vertebral foramen at each region of the spinal column/vertebral column?
Cervical- triangular
Thoracic- oval
Lumbar- triangular
Sacrum- triangular
At what vertebral level will the spinal cord typically terminate?
L1
At what vertebral level will the dural sac typically terminate?
S2
What are the segmental arteries of the cervical spine?
The vertebral artery, ascending cervical artery, and deep cervical artery
What are the segmental arteries of the thoracic spine?
The deep cervical artery, superior (highest) intercostal artery, posterior intercostal artery, and subcostal artery
What are the segmental arteries of the lumbar spine?
The lumbar arteries, iliolumbar artery, lateral sacral artery, and median (middle) sacral artery
What are the segmental arteries of the fifth lumbar vertebra?
The iliolumbar artery, lateral sacral artery, and median (middle) sacral artery
What are the segmental arteries of the sacrum?
The iliolumbar artery, lateral sacral artery, and median (middle) sacral artery
What segmental levels are supplied by the vertebral artery?
C1-C6
What segmental levels are supplied by the ascending cervical artery?
C1-C6
What segmental levels are supplied by the deep cervical artery?
C7-T1
What segmental levels are supplied by the superior (highest) intercostal artery?
T1 & T2
What segmental levels are supplied by the posterior intercostal artery?
T3-T11
What segmental levels are supplied by the subcostal artery?
T12
What segmental levels are supplied by the lumbar arteries?
L1-L4
What segmental levels are supplied by the median (middle) sacral artery?
L5, S1-S5 and coccyx
What segmental levels are supplied by the iliolumbar artery?
L5, S1-S5 and coccyx
What segmental levels are supplied by the lateral sacral artery?
L5, S1-S5 and coccyx
What vertebra has the greatest number of segmental arteries associated with it?
L5
What are the segmental arteries for L5?
Iliolumbar artery, median (middle) sacral artery, and lateral sacral artery
Which branch of the dorsospinal artery will penetrate the meninges to enter subarachnoid space?
Spinal artery
Which branches of the spinal artery supply the contents of the epidural space?
Osseous arteries, anterior spinal canal artery, posterior spinal canal artery
What arteries are observed in the epidural space near the posterior longitudinal ligament?
Anterior spinal canal artery & plexus
What arteries are observed in the epidural space near the ligamentum flavum?
Posterior spinal canal artery & plexus
Which branches of the spinal artery supply the contents of the subarachnoid space?
Anterior radicular artery, posterior radicular artery, anterior medullary feeder artery, and posterior medullary feeder artery
Which vessel will supply the ventral/anterior nerve rootlet and nerve root?
Anterior radicular artery
Which vessel will supply the dorsal/posterior nerve rootlets, nerve root, and nerve root ganglion?
Posterior radicular artery
Which artery is now said to enlarge and form the medullary feeder artery?
The radicular artery
What is the name given to the artery that lies in front of the spinal cord along its length?
Anterior spinal artery
The anterior spinal artery is a branch of which artery?
The vertebral artery
Is the anterior spinal artery a single, continuous artery along the spinal cord?
NO
As the anterior spinal artery continues along the spinal cord, which arteries unite along its length to give the appearance of a single, continuous vessel?
Anterior medullary feeder arteries
The posterior spinal artery is a branch of which artery?
The posterior inferior cerebellar artery
What is the position of the posterior spinal artery relative to the spinal cord?
It lies in the posterolateral sulcus along the spinal cord
Is the posterior spinal artery a single, continuous artery along the spinal cord?
NO
As the posterior spinal artery continues along the spinal cord, which arteries unite along its length to give the appearance of a single, continuous artery?
Posterior medullary feeder arteries
What forms the arterial vasa corona?
Anterior spinal arteries, posterior spinal arteries, and communicating arteries
What is the generic name given to arteries that penetrate the spinal cord?
Intramedullary arteries
What are the intramedullary branches of the arterial vasa corona?
Pial perforating arteries and central/ventral/sulcal perforating arteries
What artery gives off the ventral/central/sulcal perforating arteries?
The anterior spinal artery
What arterial vasa corona branches supply gray matter and most of the spinal cord?
Ventral/central/sulcal perforating arteries
What intramedullary branches supply about one third of the spinal cord?
Pial perforating arteries
What is the source for pial perforating arteries?
The pial plexus
What arteries form the pial plexus?
The posterior spinal arteries and the communicating arteries
What arteries are responsible for supplementing the arterial vasa corona along the cord?
Anterior medullary feeders and posterior medullary feeders
What vessels drain the spinal cord?
Pial veins
What will pial veins drain into?
Venous vasa corona
Which vessels form the venous vasa corona?
Anterior longitudinal veins, posterior longitudinal veins, and communicating veins
Which vessels will drain the venous vasa corona?
Anterior and posterior medullary veins
Which vessels will drain the ventral/anterior nerve roots?
Anterior radicular veins
Which vessels will drain the dorsal/posterior nerve roots?
Posterior radicular veins
What vessel will drain the dorsal/posterior nerve root ganglion?
Posterior radicular veins
What veins are observed in the epidural space near the posterior longitudinal ligament?
Anterior internal vertebral venous plexus, basivertebral vein
What lumenal feature of the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus vessels may function like valves of typical veins?
Trabeculae
What veins are observed in the epidural space near the ligamentum flavum?
Posterior internal vertebral venous plexus
What venous vessels are identified in the intervertebral foramen?
Intervertebral veins
What is the unique feature of veins along the spinal canal?
They lack the bicuspid valve of typical veins
Identify the meninges of the spinal cord (spinal medulla or medulla spinalis)…
Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
Identify the meninges of the spinal cord (spinal medulla or medulla spinalis) and the commonly accepted meaning of each…
Dura mater- tough mother
Arachnoid mater- spider mother
Pia mater- tender or delicate mother
What is the name given to the fluid within the epidural space?
Interstitial fluid
What are the vascular contents of the epidural space?
Anterior and posterior spinal canal artery and plexus; anterior and posterior internal vertebral venous plexus; basivertebral vein
What are the neural contents of the epidural space?
Recurrent meningeal/sinu-vertebral/sinus vertebral nerve
What ligaments are associated with the epidural space?
Hofmann/anterior dural/meningovertebral ligaments; Ligamentum flavum; Posterior longitudinal ligament
Which of the blood vessels of the epidural space will be found near the vertebral body?
Anterior spinal canal artery and plexus; Anterior internal vertebral venous plexus; Basivertebral vein
Which of the nerves of the epidural space will be found near the vertebral body?
Recurrent meningeal/sinu-vertebral, sinus vertebral nerve
Which of the ligaments of the epidural space will be found near the vertebral body?
Posterior longitudinal ligament and Hofmann/anterior dural/meningovertebral ligaments
Which of the blood vessels of the epidural space will be found near the lamina?
Posterior spinal canal artery and plexus; Posterior internal vertebral venous plexus
Which of the nerves of the epidural space will be found near the lamina?
Recurrent meningeal/sinu-vertebral, sinus vertebral nerve
Which of the ligaments of the epidural space will be found near the lamina?
Ligamentum flavum; Hofmann/anterior dural/meningovertebral ligaments
Which meningeal space is now thought to be a potential space, not an actual space?
Subdural space- between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater
Which of the contents of the epidural space are more likely located near or around the posterior longitudinal ligament?
Anterior spinal canal artery and plexus; Anterior internal vertebral venous plexus; Basivertebral vein; Recurrent meningeal/sinu-vertebral, sinus vertebral nerve; Hofmann/anterior dural/meningovertebral ligaments
Which of the contents of the epidural space will be found near the lamina?
Posterior spinal canal artery and plexus; Posterior internal vertebral venous plexus; Ligamentum flavum; Recurrent meningeal/sinu-vertebral, sinus vertebral nerve; Hofmann/anterior dural/meningovertebral ligaments
What is the name given to the fluid present within the subdural space?
Serous fluid
What is the name given to the fluid within the subarachnoid space?
Cerebrospinal fluid
What ligaments may be present in the subarachnoid space?
Dentate/denticulate ligament
What is the name given to the lateral extension of pia mater along the spinal cord?
Dentate (denticulate) ligament
What is the unique feature of veins along the spinal canal?
They lack the bicuspid valve of typical veins
In horizontal view, what direction of the spinal cord tends to be largest?
Transverse
What are the spinal cord enlargement locations and the name given to each?
C3-T1: The cervical enlargement;
T9-T12: The lumbar (lumbosacral) enlargement
Where is the greatest transverse diameter of the spinal cord?
C6
In which plane (or direction) will the diameter of the spinal decrease from C2 down to T1?
Midsagittal or anterior-posterior plane
What spinal nerves originate from the lumbar (lumbosacral) enlargement?
L1-S3 spinal nerves
What is a generic cord level of origin - vertebral level comination for the lumbar (lumbosacral) enlargement?
L1, L2 cord levels in T9 vertebrae; L3, L4 cor levels in T10 vertebrae; L5, S1 cord levels in T11 vertebrae; S2, S3 cord levels in T12 vertebrae
What is the caudal end of the spinal cord called?
Conus medullaris
What spinal nerves originate from the conus medullaris?
Typically S4, S5, and Co1
In which vertebral foramen will the conus medullaris typically be observed?
L1
What is the name given to the nerve roots below L1?
Cauda equina
What is the continuation of pia mater below the conus medullaris called?
Filum terminale internum
What is the location and name given to the area where all meninges first converge at the caudal part of the vertebral column?
Typically S2, the dural cul de sac
Neural tissue has been identified in what part of the filum terminale internum?
Proximal part of the filum terminale internum
What is the fate of the neural tissue identified along the filum terminale internum?
It joins peripheral nerve roots of spinal nerves as high as L3 and as low as S4
What does the neural tissue associated with the filum terminale internum appear to innervate?
Lower limbs and the external anal sphincter
The last arterial vasa corona creates what feature on angiogram?
Cruciate anastomosis
What is the name given to the caudal attachment of the meninges?
Coccygeal medullary vestige
What is the name given to the condensation of meninges below S2?
Filum terminale externum
What is the name given to the condition in which the conus medullaris is located below L1 and the filum terminale is thickened?
Tethered cord syndrome
What is the relationship between scoliosis and tethered cord syndrome?
It is suggested that the column will change normal curvatures to mitigate damage to the spinal cord caused by a tethered cord
At the intervertebral foramen, what is the relationship between spinal nerve number and vertebral number along the cervical spine?
In the cervical spine, spinal nerves exit above the segment they are numbered after (C8 is the exception to this rule). C3 nerve exits above C3 or between C2/C3
At the intervertebral foramen, what is the relationship between spinal nerve number and vertebral number along the thoracic and lumbar spine and sacrum?
In the thoracic and lumbar spine and for the sacrum, spinal nerves exit below the segment they are numbered after (Co1 nerve is the exception to this rule). T6 nerve exits below T6 or between T6/T7
What is the relationship between spinal nerve number, rib number, and vertebral number in a thoracic intervertebral foramen?
The spinal nerve number relates to the upper segment number in the vertebral couple, the rib number relates to the lower segment number in the vertebral couple.
i.e. T3 nerve exits the intervertebral foramen formed by T3/T4 and rib 4 joints with this vertebral couple
