Verterbral Column Flashcards
What structures does the vertebral column have
Bone
CT
Spinal Cord
Nervous tissue
How many bones in vertebral column
33
What are vertebrae separated by
Intervertebral disks
4 main functions of vertebral column
MAPS
Movement, axis, protection, support
How is the vertebral column protective
Encloses and protects spinal cord in the spinal canal
How does the vertebral column support
Holds weight of upper body above pelvis
What is axis in the function of vertebral column
Forms the central axis of body
How many cervical vertebrae
7
How many thoracic vertebrae
12
How many lumbar vertebrae
5
How many sacral vertebrae
5/1 technically 5 but fused
How many coccyx vertebrae
4/1 technically 4 but fused
2 features of common vertebral structure
anterior vertebral body
posterior vertebral arch.
Does the vertebral line the anterior or posterior of each vertebra
Anterior
T/F
the superior AND and inferior parts of the vertebral body lined with hyaline cartilage?
T
T/F
The vertebral arch forms the MEDIAL and POSTERIOR aspects of each vertebrae.
FALSE
why?
arch forms the LATERAL and posterior of each vertebrae
What are the foramina?
combination of the vertebral arch and body forms a gap in the spinal cord
what is the vertebral canal
all foramina of each vertebrae forming hollow column
What else apart from spinal ford does the foramina contain
Adipose tissue
Areolar connective tissue
Blood vessels
(AAB)
Which 2 spinal curvatures are convex/lordosis
Cervical
lumbar
Which 2 spinal curvatures are concaved/kyphosis
Thoracic
sacral
Describe the functions of curvatures of spine
Posture
Strength
Balance
Shock absobing
which 2 out of the following are PRIMARY curves
Cervical
Lumbar
Thoracic
Sacral
Thoracic
Sacral
why?
Maintain original curvature of embryonic vertical column
which 2 out of the following are SECONDARY curves
Cervical
Lumbar
Thoracic
Sacral
Cervical
Lumbar
why?
develops after birth
what are all the bony prominences on the vertebral arch for
Attachment sites for muscles and ligaments
Name all 5 bony prominences of the vertical arch
PLAST
Pedicles
Lamina
Articular processes
Spinous processes
Transverse processes
Pedicles function
connect body to transverse processes
Lamina function
Connects transverse to spinous processes
Articular processes function and how many
2
Articulate superior and inferior vertebrae
Spinous processes function and how many
1
Tip of every vertebra
Transverse processes function
Has 2
In thoracic vertebrae, they connect to ribs
Distinguishable features of Cervical vertebrae
-Bifid/prong at the spinous process
-Holes in the transverse process
-Squared almost semi-circle body
-Triangular foramen
-Lateral view looks like a chicken wing
Distinguishable features of Thoracic vertebrae
-Slightly Isosceles, downwards pointing spinous processes
-Circular foramen
-additional articular facets for ribs
-laterally looks like switch blade
Distinguishable features of lumbar vertebrae
-Largest and strongest of vertebrae
-short lemniscate-shaped spinous processes
-large oval body
-triangular foramen
-laterally looks like balls
what do axis and atlas mean in terms of vertebrae?
ATLAS = C1
AXIS = C2
how do atlas and axis vertebrae differ from the other C vertebrae structurally
Atlas is a ring bone with no body or spinous processes
Axis has a body and peglike processes called dens
how do atlas and axis vertebrae differ from the other C vertebrae structurally
Atlas is a ring bone with no body or spinous processes
Axis has a body and peglike processes called dens
-dense allows pivot of head
Which of the following ligaments is primarily associated with the joints between vertebral bodies?
A - Ligamentum flavum
B - Interspinous
C - Anterior longitudinal
D - Supraspinous
C
-Anterior and posterior longitudinal run full length of vertebral column
Describe the differences between anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
Anterior is thicker to prevent hyperextension
Posterior thinner and weaker to prevent hyperflexion
Which joint extends from lamina to adjacent vertebrae
Ligamentum flavum
which joint attaches tip of spinous processes to adjacent vertebrae
superspinous
which joint attaches adjacent spinous processes
interspinous
which joint attaches between transverse processes
Intertransverse
