W1 - The Vertebral Column

Question 1

What are the 4 regions of the spine

Answer 1

Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar
Sacrum

Question 2

How many vertebrae does each region of the spine have

Answer 2

Cervical = 7
Thoracic = 12
Lumbar = 5
Sacrum = 5
Coccyx = 3-4 (fused)

Question 3

What spinal curve does the cervical spinal region have

Answer 3

Cervical lordosis = convex anteriorly

Question 4

What spinal curve does the thoracic region have

Answer 4

Thoracic kyphosis = concaves anteriorly

Question 5

What spinal curve does the lumbar region have

Answer 5

Lumbar lordosis = convex anteriorly

Question 6

What spinal curve does the sacrum/coccyx region have

Answer 6

Sacrum/coccyx kyphosis = concave anteriorly

Question 7

What clinical relevance do spinal curves have

Answer 7

People with osteoporosis can get wedged fractures in their thoracic vertebral column which narrows the anterior part of the vertical body

This results in an increase kyphosis causing them to have very hunched backs

You can also have increase or decreased kyphosis or lordosis too

Question 8

What is scoliosis?

Answer 8

A lateral curvature with a rotational component

Severe cases are operated on

Question 9

What does the line of gravity pass through in a normal standard posture?

Answer 9

It passes through the:
Earlobe
Dense of the axis
Cervical vertebral body
Shoulder joint
Lumber vertebral bodies
Slightly posterior to the hip joint
Greater trochanter
Slightly anterior to the knee and ankle joints

Question 10

What is the function of the spine?

Answer 10

• To support the thoracic cage for the lungs to respire
• Allows muscle attachments for the pelvic, shoulder girdle, spinal muscles, upper limb and lower limb attachments
• Protects the spinal cord
• Shock absorption due to vertebral bodies, muscles, curves and intervertebral discs
• Produces and controls movement

Question 11

What two parts is a vertebrae split up into?

Answer 11

Anteriorly = vertebral body
Posteriorly = vertebral arch

Question 12

What is the vertebral arch made up of?

Answer 12

Pedicles and lamina

Question 13

How many processes do each vertebrae have and what are they called?

Answer 13

Each vertebrae has seven processes called:
- articular = x4
- transverse = x2
- spinous = x1

Question 14

What is the function of the articular processes?

Answer 14

They articulate with the adjacent vertebrae
Transmit weight
Enable movement
And limit movement in some directions

Question 15

What is the function of the transverse processes?

Answer 15

They are attachment sites for muscles and ligaments
Produce a rotation or side flexion of the spine

Question 16

What is the function of the spinal processes?

Answer 16

They are attachment sites for muscles and ligaments and they’re involved in extension of the spine

Question 17

Explain what vertebrae stack is

Answer 17

When two vertebrae are stacked on top of one another via the intervertebral joints which have vertical discs in between them

Your faucet joint joins the superior and inferior articular processes together

Question 18

What structure of the vertebrae allows the spinal cord to pass through it?

Answer 18

Vertebrae foramen

Question 19

What structure of the vertebrae allows the spinal nerves to pass through?

Answer 19

Intervertebral foramen (the gap between the adjacent vertebral arches)

Question 20

Name some differences about the cervical vertebrae compared to the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae

Answer 20

1. Transverse foramen (ONLY CERVICAL)
2. smaller rectangular body with a larger vertebral foramen
3. Bifid spinous processes
4. Particular facets orientated horizontally towards the eyes
5. Lipping of vertebral body superiorly (uncinate process)

Question 21

Name some differences about the thoracic bird compared to the other two

Answer 21

1. Rounded body and long slanted spines processes.
2. Faucet joints orientated vertically.
3. Demifacets on the vertebral body (articulate with half of the head of the ribs)
4. X2 facets on transverse processes

Question 22

Name some differences about the lumber vertebra compared to the other two

Answer 22

1. Large wide body as it takes most of the weight.
2. Broad and short laminae and pedicles
3. Quadrangular spinous processes
4. Mammillary processes
5. Wrapped articular facets
6. Long & thin transverse processes

Question 23

Describe the sacrum

Answer 23

Five fused vertebrae
Base articulates with L5
Sacral promontory
Superior articular process and an Apex
Sacral canal and Foramina
Concave anteriorly
Spinous tubercles

Question 24

Describe the coccyx

Answer 24

3-4 rudimentary vertebrae
Directed inferiority and anteriorly
Decreases in size
Small triangular in shape
Small discs connect in the sacrum to the coccyx

Question 25

Classify the intervertebral joint

Answer 25

Secondary cartilaginous synthesis joint
- Vertebral end plate is covered in highly cartilage
- Intervertebral discs connect the two vertebrae together

Question 26

Describe the structure of an intervertebral disc

Answer 26

Annulus fibrosus :
Ring of collagen fibres arranged in sheets called lamellae
60 to 70% water
Thick towards the centre, anterior and lateral portions
Thinner posteriorly
The arrangement of the fibres limits rotation between the vertebrae

Nucleus pulposus :
Semi fluid mass of mucoid material
88% water
Shock absorption = deforms under pressure from any direction and transmits this pressure in all directions

Question 27

Classify the facet joints

Answer 27

Synovial plane joint
- hyaline cartilage
- synovial membrane
- Joint capsule
-Ligaments