vetabra + ribs Flashcards
the function of the vertebrae column ?
• Functions: o supports weight of head and trunk o protects spinal cord o allows spinal nerves to exit spinal cord o site for muscle attachment o permits movement of the head and trunk
how many bones in vertebrae column ?
26 bones – 24 vertebrae, sacrum and coccyx
how many regions are there in the vertebral column and how do they name it ?
o bbreviated by capital letter that indicates the region
o followed by a number that indicates the specific vertebra
♣ starts with lowest number at the cranial end and highest number at the caudal end of the region
o cervical (C1-C7)
o thoracic (T1-T12)
o lumbar (L1-L5)
o sacral (S1-S5) – only one in the adult
o coccygeal (Co1-Co5) – variable number but only one in the adult
how many spinal curves in adult and kids
o 4 in adult but appearance changes from fetus to adult due to change in posture
the point of spinal curves ?
how is it created ?
o most body weight lies in front of vertebral column and curvatures bring weight in line with body axis and center of gravity
name the spinal curves
o cervical – curves ventrally
o thoracic – curves dorsally
o lumbar – curves ventrally
o sacral – curves dorsally
abnormal spinal curves
ex:
o conditions and events that damage bones, muscles and nerves distorts shape and impairs function of vertebral column
may be temporary condition or may be due to disease or congenital defect
kyphosis, lordosis, and scoliosis
kyphosis ?
o exaggerated dorsal curvature of thoracic region
♣ most common in post-menopausal women (“dowager’s hump”) resulting from compression fractures
lordosis ?
o (“swayback”) = exaggeration of ventral curve of lumbar region
♣ pregnancy or obesity resulting in weakness of abdominal muscles
scoliosis
o lateral and rotational curvature of the vertebral column
♣ most common distortion of spine
♣ can result from developmental problems or muscle paralysis affecting one side of back
♣ idiopathic scoliosis – when underlying cause not known
• appears in girls during adolescence
♣ treatment includes: exercise, braces, and surgical straightening with implanted rods
vertebrae has a body
• bony disk that is weight-bearing portion
o articulates with neighbouring vertebrae - interconnected by ligaments and separated by intervertebral discs
vertebrae has a vertebral foramen
• large opening surrounded by arch and together with foramina of other vertebrae forms vertebral canal
o contains the spinal cord and cauda equine
vertebrae has vertebral arch
• projects posteriorly from body
o pedicle = part attached to the posterolateral margins of the body
♣ lamina = thin plate that joins with lamina from other half of vertebrae to make the arch
♣ contain intervertebral notches
o transverse process extends laterally from each side of the arch
o spinous process extends posteriorly from the junction of the two lamellae
♣ seen and felt as series of lumps down the midline of the back
vetebrae has a superior (2) and inferior (2) processes
• at junction between pedicles and laminae
o overlap of superior from one vertebra and inferior process from vertebra above increases rigidity of vertebral column
o articular facet – on end of each process
vertebrae has a intervertebral foramina
• formed by articulation from processes and from notches of adjacent pedicle
o allows spinal nerves to exit spinal cord
Intervertebral discs
• located between bodies of adjacent vertebrae
o provide additional support and prevent vertebral bodies from rubbing against each other
• compress with age so distance between vertebrae decreases – overall height of individual decreases, and more prone to herniation (portion squeezed out of place)
cervical vertebrae
- extend from occipital bone of skull to thorax
* have very small bodies – dislocations and fractures more common in this area
• typical cervical vertebrae (C3-C7) have:
o bifid (split) spinous processes o transverse foramen in each transverse process - only present in cervical vertebrae ♣ passageway for vertebral arteries and veins supplying the brain
C1
• atlas (holds up the head) (Fig 6.22) – has no body and no spinous process
o has large superior articular facets where it articulates with the occipital condyles at the base of the skull
♣ permits nodding (“yes”) movement but prevents twisting
C2
axis
• – contains the dens - a modified process on superior side of its small body
o fits into the large vertebral foramen of the atlas and held in place by transverse ligament
♣ allows head to rotate
c7
• - has most prominent spinous process (vertebral prominens)
o ligamentum nuchae – large elastic ligament begins here and extends cranially to insert along external occipital crest
whiplash
• traumatic hyperextension of the cervical vertebrae
o may result in fracture of spinous processes or herniated disc putting posterior pressure on spinal cord, spinal nerves, muscles, tendons and ligaments
Thoracic vertebrae
• body thicker and heart shaped
• have long thin spinous processes directed inferiorly
• articular facets articulate with ribs
o T1-T8 have superior and inferior costal facets on border of body and pedicle
o T9-T-12 have only single facet
o T1-T10 have transverse costal facets on transverse process to articulate with tubercles of ribs
Lumbar vertebrae
- large, thick oval-shaped bodies
* rectangular spinous and transverse processes
