Vertebral skeleton and blood supply of vertebra Flashcards
How many vertebrae compose the spine and how many are in each regions
26 total
Cervical=7 Thoracic=12 Lumbar=5 Sacral=1 (5 fused) Coccyx= 1 (5 fused)
What are the 4 normal vertebral curves and which way is the direction of the curve
Cervical= convex anteriorly
Thoracic=convex posteriorly
Lumbar=convex anteriorly
Sacral=convex posteriorly
What curves are primary curves and which are secondary curves
primary curves= thoracic and sacral
secondary curves=cervical and lumbar
When do the secondary curves develop
cervical= when the baby can hold/lift own his head ~4 months
lumbar= when the infant can walk ~12 months
Describe kyphosis
increased thoracic curvature
aka humpback or in older women Dowagers hump
Describe lordosis
increased lumbar curvature w/ increased anterior rotation of the pelvis associated with weakened trunk muscles
think fat people or pregnancy
Describe scoliosis
lateral curvature of the spine accompanied by the rotation of the vertebrae with the spinous process turn to the abd cavity
What are the 2 areas of the vertebral arch
- pedicles=connects lamina to vertebral body, creates lateral walls of the vertebral foramen
- laminae= creates the arch/ posterior portion of vertebral foramen (where the spinal cord passes through)
What are the 7 processes of the spine from lateral to medial
- transverse x2
- superior articular processes x2 (L and R)
- inferior articular processes x 2 (L and R)
- spinous process
Differentiate between the intervertebral foramina and the vertebral foramen
intervertebral foramina=between 2 vertebrae were spinal nerves pop out
vertebral foramen= spinal canal
Describe the atlas and axis in terms of alternate names, what joints they form and their movements
C1 and C2
Form part of the 2 craniovertebral joints
- atlanto-occipital joint
- atlanto-axial joint
Atlas = nodding movement
Axis= lateral movement like when signifying no
What is the dens of the axis
aka odontoid process, part of the axis that slips into the atlas
What is the transverse ligament
strong band extending between the L and R tubercles of the atlas (C1) forming the posterior wall of the socket of the dens, which holds the dens in place against the anterior arch of atlas (C1)
What is a hangman’s fx, and how is it caused
fx of both pedicles of C2 caused by forcible hyperextension of the head (chin strike w/ the neck in extension) usually caused by falls, MVA, sports
Does a hangman’s fx expand or constrict the spinal canal at C2
expand, so survival is relatively common
Describe physical characteristics of the typical cervical vertebrae
- smaller bodies but larger spinal canal
- shorter transverse processes that contain a transverse foramen for vertebral artery passage
- spinous process often bifurcated
What is the vertebra prominins
c7, it is different from the other cervical vertebrae
What is the tectorial membrane
membrane that is continuous with the posterior ligament across the atlantoaxial joint that attaches to the central floor of the cranial cavity
Describe physical characteristics of the typical thoracic vertebrae
- Larger and stronger bodies than cervical vertebrae for attachment with ribs
- Longer transverse and spinous process
- contain facets and demi facets
Where do the ribs articulate with the thoracic vertebrae
head of the rib articulates with the vertebral body
tubercle of the ribs articulates with the transverse process
Describe physical characteristics of the typical lumbar vertebrae
- strongest and largest vertebrae
- blunted/short thick spinous and transvers processes
Describe physical characteristics of the typical sacral vertebrae
- S1-S5 are fused
- serve as a foundation for the pelvic girdle
- has the sacral canal=continuation of the vertebral canal and it contains the nerve roots of the cauda equina
What are the 3 sacral crest and what do they represent
Median crest= fused rudimentary spinal processes
Medial (intermediate) crest= represents fused articular processes
Lateral sacral crest= tips of the transverse processes fused
What is the sacral hiatus and how can you find it
- Absence of the spinous process on S5 (sometimes S4)
- Sacral cornu (inferior articular process of S5) can as a guide to locate sacral hiatus
What is caudal anesthesia and when is it used
aka epidural block, local anesthetic agent is injected to sacral canal at the sacral hiatus which numbness from the wait to the knees
-used in labor
Describe physical characteristics of the typical coccyx vertebrae
- fusion of 4 coccyx vertebrae
- coccygeal cornua=rudimentary articular processes
Describe location, composition and function of intervertebral discs
Location=between adjacent vertebrae
Composition= fibrocartilaginous ring w/ pulpy center
Function= absorb vertical shock and permit movement of the vertebral column
What is a herniated intervertebral disc and what can it cause
Flexion of the vertebral column causes the the pulpy center of the disc to be pushed to a thin part of the anulus fibrosus this can causes compression of the spinal cord but more commonly it compresses the nerve root INFERIORLY to the disc
What can happen when the neck undergoes hyperflexion and when can this happen
- intervertebral discs rupture posteriorly w/o fx vertebral, most commonly ruptured disc are C5-C6 and C6-C7
- can happen when people tackle w/ their neck down
What can happen when the neck undergoes hyperextension and when can this happen
may lead to stretch or tear of the anterior longitudinal ligament
commonly seen in rear end MVA
aka whiplash
What are zygapophysial joints and what movement do the permit
- synovial joints between the arches of the vertebrae, aka facet joints
- permit sliding between the superior and inferior articular processes
What are inter-transverse ligaments
ligament that connects adjacent transverse processes
What are lateral costotransverse ligaments
ligament that connects trabeculae of a rib to its corresponding transverse process
What are the 2 ligaments that connect adjacent spinous processes
- Interspinous ligament
- supraspinous ligament
What happens when there is an injury/disease of a zygapophysial joint
it affects adjacent spinal nerves and causes pain along the distribution patterns of the dermatomes and muscles spasms from the associate myotomes
Describe foraminal stenosis
narrowing of one or more of the spinal foramina which causes pain
- often seen in C5/C6, C6/C7, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1
- if in lumbar region you will see pain after standing/walking for longer periods
Describe the anterior longitudinal ligament
- Band of fibrous tissue that runs from the atlas to the sacrum that connects anterior aspects of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs
- it prevents hyperextension
Describe the posterior longitudinal ligament
- Band of fibrous tissue that runs from the atlas to the sacrum that connects posterior aspects of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs
- it prevents hyperflexion
Which is stronger the anterior or posterior longitudinal ligament
anterior longitudinal ligament
What is the ligamenta flava
yellow broad elastic fibrous tissue that joins adjacent laminae of the vertebral arches
-prevents separation of the vertebral lamina
What is the ligamentum nuchae
the thickening of the supraspinous ligament from C7 to the occipital protuberance
What artery supply the vertebrae
the segmental artery
Describe venous drainage of the vertebral column
-composed of anterior and posterior venous plexuses
with both the anterior and posterior containing internal and external plexuses
-it is lacks valves that can allow backward flow
