Vetebral Column Flashcards
What is osteology
Study of bones
What is arthrology
Branch of anatomy dealing with the joints and ligaments of the body
Myology
Study of muscles
How many bones are in the adult human body
206
How many bones in the axial skeleton
80
How many bones in the appendicular skeleton
126
What does the axial skeleton consist of
- Skull
-Hyoid
-Vertebral column (spine, sacrum, coccyx)
-Sternum
-Ribs
What does the appendicular skeleton consist of
Bones of upper extremities
The pectoral girdle
The pelvic girdle
Bones of the lower extremities
Function of the vertebral column
- strong flexible rod providing movement of the trunk
- Encloses and protects the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots
- Supports the head and acts as a pivot
- Serves as a point of attachment for ribs and act as an axis of the body
- maintaining the posture of body and locomotion
How many vertebrae does the vertebral column consist of
33
What are the five parts of the vertebral column
Cervical
Thoracic
Lumber
Sacrum
Coccyx
How many cervical vertebrae
7
How many lumber vertebrae
5
How many thoracic vertebrae
12
How many sacrum vertebrae
5 fused
How many vertebrae form the coccyx
4 fused
What are the two kind of normal curvatures of the vertebral column
- Primary curvatures
- Secondary curvatures
What are the characteristics of primary curvatures ? Which part of the vertebra are primary curvatures
- Present at birth
- Immobile (attached to skeletal components)

Thoracic and sacral
What are the characteristics of secondary curvatures ? Which part of the vertebra are secondary curvatures
- develop AFTER birth
- flexible due to lack of skeletal connections
Cervical and Lumbar
What tells you that the cervical curvature is developed ?
Child holds head erect
What tells you that the lumbar curvature is developed
Child stands erect/walk
Which parts of the spine allow for greater movement then the other regions of the vertebral column
Cervical and lumbar
In early embryo, the vertebral column is what shape
C-shaped
True or false
Prenatal and postnatal growth accounts for 4 distinct curvilinear regions in the adult
True
Presence of an abnormal lateral curvature is called
Scoliosis
Exaggeration of curvatures in thoracic region is called
Kyphosis
Exaggeration of curvatures in lumbar region is called
Lordosis
What are the general structures of the vertebrae
Spinous process (1)
Transverse process (2)
Articular processes / zygapophyses (4)
Purpose of Intervertebral foramen
Spinal nerves come out from it
The vertebral foramina of the successive vertebrae form the
Vertebral canal
What passes through vertebral canal
Spinal cord
Encircled by the body anteriorly, vertebral arch posteriorly and pedicles laterally is the
Vertebral foramen
What are the first two cervical Vertebrae called
Atlas and axis
How many typical cervical vertebrae are there
4
How many atypical cervical vertebrae are there and what are they
3
- atlas
- axis
- c7
What kind of spine does a typical cervical vertebra have
Bifid spine
What is special about cervical vertebrae compared to other vertebrae
They have a foramina in their transverse processes called transverse foramina
What does a typical cervical vertebrae have
Body
Pedicle
Lamina
Spinous process
What is the 7th cervical vertebrae called and why
Vertebra prominens
Because of its long (not bifid) spinous process
True or false
C7 has a bifid spine like all the other cervical vertebrae
False
Transverse foramen allows for passage of which blood vessel
Vertebral arteries
What is different about C7’s transverse foramen ?
Vertebral artery does not pass through it
There is usually intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebra ; however, where on the vertebral column do we not have intervertebral discs ?
-Between atlas and axis
-Between Fused sacrum and Fused coccyx
Characteristics of atlas
- ring-shaped
- no body
- no spine
- has anterior and posterior arches
- transverse foramen
- supports the skull
What makes axis atypical ?
Because it has an extra protruding process known as the dens (odontoid process)
The most characteristic feature of axis is
Dens
What is the purpose of dens of axis
Dens articulates with the anterior arch of the atlas, providing a PIVOT about which the atlas and head can rotate
How many typical and atypical vertebrae are in the thoracic vertebrae
8 typical
4 atypical
Which thoracic vertebrae are non-typical
T1
T10
T11
T12
What shape is the body of a thoracic vertebrae
Heart shaped
Describe the vertebral foramen of a typical thoracic vertebrae
Round vertebral foramen
Rips connect to the thoracic vertebrae at two main points
Inferior and superior costal facets (Demi facets)
Which site does a rib form a joint with the transverse process
Transverse costal facet
Largest vertebrae of the vertebral column belong to
Lumber vertebrae
What shape is the vertebral foramen of lumber vertebrae
Triangular
What are absent in lumber vertebrae and why
Costal facets are absent because there is no longer need for rib attachment in the lumbar region
What part of the vertebral column is the base of the vertebral column and part of the pelvis
Sacral vertebrae
Bones articulate with the articular surfaces of the sacrum forming what joint
Sacroiliac joints
What kind of joint is intervertebral disc
Specialized Cartilaginous joints
Function of intervertebral disc
- cushion-like pads between vertebrae
-act as shock absorbers - 25% of height of vertebral column
What is the intervertebral disc composed of
Annulus fibrosus
Nucleus pulposus 
What is anulus fibrosus
Sturdy tire-like structure that encases a gel like center
What is nucleus pulposus
Gel-like center in the intervertebral disc 
Function of annulus fibrosus
- Enhances the spines rotational stability
- helps to resist compressive stress
What are the largest structures in the body without vascular supply
Intervertebral discs
Normally body weight is transmitted through the IVD disc by loading the nucleus pulposus, which is then compressed and transfers it’s loading to the annulus fibrosus which will resist this load .
HOWEVER, and some people it does not resist the load so what happens to the nucleus pulposus??
Forced out of the disc or becomes herniated , affecting adjacent spinal nerves
How many different joints are in the vertebral column
3
What are the 3 different joints in the vertebral column
Atlanto – occipital joint
Atlanto – axial joint
Zygapophyseal (facet) joints
How many zygapophyseal joints are present per vertebra
4
Atlantooccipital joint is between what two structures and what movement does it facilitate
Occipital condyles and the superior articular facets of the atlas
Nodding: flexion of the head
Atlantoaxial joint is between what two structures and what movement does it facilitate
The dens of the axis And the anterior arch of the atlas
Pivoting / rotating head
Zygapophyseal joint is between what two structures and what movement does it facilitate
Between articular processes of adjacent vertebra
Gliding movements between vertebra
What is lumber spine puncture And at what level is it done
Procedure to collect CSF sample from the SUBARACHNOID space  by inserting a specific needle between the spinous processes of (L3 and L4 )or (L4 and L5) because at these levels there’s little danger of damaging the spinal cord which ends at L1 to L2
What is laminectomy
Lamina of several vertebrae are removed to relieve pressure on neural structures, and it exposes the spinal cord
What is the outer most meninges
Dura mater
(Attached to the inner layer of bone surrounding the spinal canal)
Between the Dura and the bone is a potential space called ____________.
What does it contain
Epidural space
Contains a small amount of fat and vertebral veins
Beneath the dura matter is a thin and delicate membrane called
Arachnoid mater
Describe the arachnoid mater in normal and pathological conditions
Normally, the arachnoid mater is closely attached to the inside of the Dura mater
And pathological conditions, a potential space exists called the subdural space between the arachnoid and Dura mater, which can fill with blood or pus
Beneath the arachnoid mater and intimately attached to the spinal cord is the
Pia mater
The space between the arachnoid matter and pia matter is the ______________.
What does it usually contain
Subarachnoid space
Contains CSF
A rope like extension of the pia matter that attaches the end of the spinal cord to the caudal end of the dura matter
Filum terminale
The spinal cord extends from the _____________ to the level of ________________.
From : Medulla oblongata (foramen magnum)
To: L1 or L2
True or false
The spinal cord extends down the entire length of the vertebral column
False
(Ends at L1 or L2)
The spinal cord shows to enlargements ; what are they
Cervical enlargement
Lumbar enlargement
Level of cervical enlargement
C4 to T1
Level of lumber enlargement
T9 to T12
Nerves of upper limb arise from which enlargement
Cervical
Nerves of lower limb arise from which enlargement
Lumbar
The conical tapering inferior end of the spinal cord is called
Conus medullaris
A long filament of connective tissue that attaches to the coccyx inferiorly
Filum terminale
Collection of nerve roots
Cauda equina
How many spinal nerves do we have
31 pairs
How many spinal nerves in each category
Muscles of the back can be divided into three groups
How many pairs of muscles and the superficial layer of back muscles
5
What are the five pairs of back muscles in the superficial layer
Trapezius
Latissimus dorsi
Levator scapulae
Rhomboid minor
Rhomboid major
Which superficial back muscles are deep to the trapezius
Levator scapulae
Rhomboid major
Rhomboid minor
Origin and insertion of trapezius
Origin: superior nuchal line of occipital bone, nuchal ligament, spines of the 7th and all thoracic vertebrae
Insertion: clavicle, acromion, scapular spine
Origin and insertion of latissimus dorsi
Origin: spinous processes of lower thoracic vertebrae, crest of ilium
Insertion: intertubercular groove of humerus 
Origin and insertion of rhomboid major
Origin: spinous processes of T2 to T5
Insertion: scapula, below scapular spine
Origin and insertion of rhomboid minor
Origin: spine of C7 and T1
Insertion: medial margin of scapula at the roots of scapular spine
Origin and insertion of levator scapula
Origin: transverse processes of C1 to C4
Insertion: medial border of scapula
Action of trapezius
-Elevates shoulder laterally
-rotates scapula
-retract scapular on thoracic wall
Action of latissimus dorsi
- Adducts
-extends - medially rotates arm
Action of rhomboid major
Retracts and medially rotates scapula
Action of rhomboid minor
Retracts and medially rotates scapula
Action of levator scapula
Raises scapula
What innervates the trapezius
Spinal accessory nerve
What innervates latissimus dorsi
Thoracodorsal nerve
What innervates rhomboid major
Dorsal scapular nerve
What innervates rhomboid minor
Dorsal scapular nerve
What innervates levator scapula
Dorsal scapular nerve
What are the intermediate back muscles
Serratus posterior superior
Serratus posterior inferior
Origin and insertion of serratus posterior superior
Origin: ligamentum nuchae, spines of vertebra C7 and T1 to T3
Insertion: ribs 2 to 5
Origin and insertion of serratus posterior inferior
Origin: spines of vertebrae T 11 to T 12 and L1 to L2
Insertion: ribs 9 to 12
Action of serratus posterior superior
Elevates upper ribs 
Action of serratus posterior inferior
Pulls down lower ribs 
Innervation of serratus posterior superior
Ventral primary rami T2 to T5
Innervation of serratus posterior inferior
Ventral primary rami T9 to T12
Superficial layer of deep muscles of the back
Splenius capitis
Splenius cervicis
Intermediate layer of deep muscles of the back
Erector spinae :
- iliocostalis (lateral)
- longissimus (intermediate)
- Spinalis (medial)
Deep layer of the deep muscles of the back
Transversospinal muscle group:
- semispinalis
- multifidus
- rotatores
Describe the superficial nerves of the back
they travel along with an artery and vein in a neurovascular bundle
Muscles of the back are mostly supplied by which rami
Dorsal rami
What is spondylosis and what can it cause 
Chronic degenerative disease of the intervertebral discs and/or vertebral bodies
May compress spinal cord, nerves, or roots; causing pain , weakness etc.
What is spinal cord transection
Injury that results in loss of all sensation and voluntary movement inferior to the lesion
What is meant by paraplegia
Paralysis of lower body including both lower extremities
What can cause paraplegia
Spinal cord transaction between cervical and lumbosacral enlargements
What is quadriplegia
Paralysis of all four limbs
What causes quadriplegia
Spinal cord transaction superior to C3
C4 injury causes
Quadriplegia
C6 injury causes
Quadriplegia
T6 injury causes
Paraplegia
L1 injury causes
Paraplegia
What is sciatica
Pain resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve, which is usually caused by compression or trauma to the sciatic nerve or its roots
Radiculopathies 
Shooting pain that radiates down one or both legs often associated with sensory and motor impairment
This can be caused by compression or stretching of spinal nerves or roots
What is osteoporosis
Loss of endogenous estrogen leads to severe decrease in vertebral bone density due to demineralization.
Commonly presents medically as a vertebral compression fracture
Osteoporosis is most common in which patients
Postmenopausal women 
How can osteoporosis be prevented or slowed down
Hormone replacement therapy
