Term
| Approximately how many vertebrae in column? |
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Definition
| 30 (coccygeal # can vary) |
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Term
| How many of each type of vertebra in the column? |
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Definition
Cervical - 7
Thoracic - 12
Lumbar - 5
Sacral - 5
Coccygeal - 4 |
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Term
| Which vertebrae are considered fused? Unfused? |
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Definition
Unfused = cervical, thoracic, lumbar
Fused = sacral, coccygeal |
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Term
| Why do the vertebrae increase in size moving inferiorly? |
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Definition
| Bodies of the vertebrae get wider and thicker because they need to support more weight |
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Term
| Inner & outer portions of intervertebral discs |
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Definition
Inner = nucleus pulposus
Outer = annulus fibrosus |
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Term
| Parts of a vertebra (generic) |
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Definition
Body - large thick portion
Pedicles - processes coming FROM BODY
Laminae - processes connecting from pedicles
Vertebral Arch - pedicles + laminae
Vertebral Foramen - formed by the joining of the vertebral arch with the body
Transverse & Spinal Processes
Superior & Inferior Articular Processes + Facets - allows for articulation between vertebrae |
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Term
| Column of vertebral foramen forms? |
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Definition
| The vertebral canal (houses the spinal cord) |
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Term
| Which notch is inferior to the pedicles? What purpose does it serve? |
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Definition
The infravertebral notch; forms infravertebral foramen (foramina)
This is where the spinal nerves exit the vertebral canal (where they branch from the SC) |
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Term
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Definition
| When the nucleus pulposis bulges out and comes into contact with spinal nerves at infravertebral foramen |
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Term
| What makes up the vertebral arch? |
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Definition
| 2 laminae and 2 pedicles (pedicles arise from body) |
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Term
| What is special about the articulation with the pedicle and vertebral body? What does this articulation create? |
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Definition
The pedicle only attaches to the SUPERIOR portion of the body; this creates the infravertebral notch
When the vertebrae are aligned into a column, these notches form the intfravertebral foramen so the spinal nerves can exit here |
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Term
| What kind of articulations are formed between vertebral arches? |
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Definition
| Plane joints (multi-axial synovial joint) |
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Term
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Definition
| Joint that is formed between the inferior articular process of one vertebra and the superior articular process of the vertebra below it |
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Term
| Where are the articular processes/facets proximal to? |
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Definition
| The pedicles of the vertebrae |
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Term
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Definition
C1; larger foramen, smaller body
Superior articular process in the horizontal plane
Articulates superiorly with occipital condyles of skull (atlanto-occipital joint); responsible for flexion |
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Term
| What joint does the atlas form with the skull? |
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Definition
| Atlas articulates w/ occipital condyles to form atlanto-occipital joint; this joint is responsible for flexion of the neck (nodding yes) |
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Term
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Definition
C2; most prominent feature = dens (odontoid process)
Dens articulates with the anterior portion of the foramina of the atlas (held in by transverse ligament); forms atlanto-axial joint |
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Term
| What joint is formed by the atlas and axis? |
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Definition
Atlanto-axial joint formed between the dens of the axis and the foramen of the atlas
This is a pivot joint - horizontal rotation of the head (shaking head no) |
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Term
| What is the dens considered to be embryologically? |
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Definition
| The missing portion of the body of the atlas |
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Term
| Characteristics of Typical C Vertebrae |
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Definition
C3-7
Vertebral body is thin and oval shaped
Transverse processes have vertical foramen (transverse foramen) to allow for passage of vertebral artery and vein
Spinous processes are all bifid (except C1)
Apophyseal joints are HORIZONTAL |
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Term
| What ligament holds the dens in place? |
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Definition
| The transverse ligament holds the dens into the vertebral foramen of the atlas |
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Term
| What travels through the transverse foramen? |
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Definition
| Located on C vertebrae only (C1-7); vertebral artery an vein travel through here |
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Term
| Characteristics of T Vertebrae |
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Definition
T1-12
Bodies are medium sized and heart shaped; each succeeding body moving down is larger than the one before
Each body has superior and articular process & facet - facets are for costovertebral joints w/ ribs
Spinous processes point inferiorly
Apophyseal joints are oriented CORONALLY (anteroposteriorly)
Transverse processes have facets for ribs (transverse costovertebral joints) |
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Term
| Where do the costovertebral and transverse costovertebral joins articulate respectively? |
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Definition
Costovertebral - head of ribs to body of vertebrae
Transverse costovertebral - rib to transverse process |
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Term
| Which T vertebrae do not have demi-facets? |
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Definition
T1 has 1 and 1/2 facets
T10 has 1/2 of a facet |
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Term
| Characteristics of L Vertebrae |
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Definition
L1-5
Vertebral body is largest and kidney shaped; large size = flexibility
Apophyseal joints are oriented sagitally (allows for flex/ex); sup/inf articular facets face medially and laterally
Spinous processes are horizontal and stout |
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Term
| What attaches the sacrum to L5? |
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Definition
| The base of the sacrum attaches to L5 via an intervertebral disc (fibrocartilage) |
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Term
| How many pairs of sacral foramina exist in the fused sacrum? |
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Definition
| 4 pairs (5 fused vertebrae = 4 sets of foramina) |
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Term
| What forms the median sacral crest? |
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Definition
| The fusion of SPINOUS PROCESSES of the individual sacral vertebrae |
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Term
| What forms the lateral sacral mass? |
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Definition
| Formed by fusion of the TRANSVERSE processes of the individual sacral vertebrae; superiorly this also forms the ALA of the sacrum |
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Term
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Definition
| Lateral superior portion of lateral sacral mass; articulates with ileum to form SACROILIAC JOINT |
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Term
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Definition
| Located at the base of the sacrum (superior portion) |
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Term
| What are the curvatures of the vertebral column? |
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Definition
| 4 of them - cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral |
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Term
| Which directions are the curvatures facing? |
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Definition
Cervical & Lumbar - convex ANTERIORLY
Thoracic & Sacral - concave ANTERIORLY |
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Term
| Difference between primary and secondary curvatures? |
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Definition
Primary exist during fetal development, secondary develop over time
Primary - concave anteriorly = thoracic & sacral
Secondary - convex anteriorly = cervical & lumbar |
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Term
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Definition
Overexaggeration of the thoracic curvature (pronounced); anterior-posterior deformity
"Hunchback" - thoracic curvature is concave anteriorly, so it being pronounced gives this appearance |
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Term
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Definition
| Pronounced lumbar curvature (convex anteriorly); anterior-posterior deformity |
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Term
| Why are sprinters more likely to have lordotic backs? |
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Definition
| Due to one of the primary flexors in sprinting, the ilio-psoas muscle |
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Term
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Definition
| Lateral-medial curvature of the spine (in coronal plane of body); typically see 2 curvatures in scoliosis (to balance out on each side) |
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Term
| What occurs in a ruptured disc? |
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Definition
| The nucleus pulposis herniates out into the intervertebral foramen (may impinge upon a nerve) |
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Term
| Difference between vertebral & intervertebral foramen |
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Definition
Vertebral - formed by vertebral arch; together form vertebral canal for SC
Intervertebral - formed by infravertebral notches; area where spinal nerves exit the vertebral column |
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Term
| Longitudinal Ligaments of Vertebral Column |
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Definition
Anterior Longitudinal - runs on the ventral side of the vertebral bodies down the column; wider and stronger
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament - runs in the vertebral canal (anterior wall of canal); sometimes not continuous |
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Term
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Definition
Join LAMINAE of adjacent vertebrae; made of elastic tissue (yellow in colour)
NOT CONTINUOUS, NOT longitudinal (considered as inter-segmental) |
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Term
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Definition
Run between the spinous proceses in an anterior-posterior direction
Also not continuous
Stronger in lumbar region |
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Term
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Definition
Runs continuously down the vertebral column superior to the spinous processes of the vertebrae
Both continuous and longitudinal |
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Term
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Definition
Thickened supraspinous ligaments in the neck with increased elastic tissue
Also called "ligament of the neck" |
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Term
| In what type of animal is the ligamentum nuchae most prominent? |
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Definition
| In QUADROPEDS - maintains their head posture |
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Term
| The ligamentum nuchae is a specialized portion of which ligament of the back? |
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Definition
| The supraspinous ligament |
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Term
| Intertransverse Ligaments |
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Definition
| Non continuous ligaments which connect the transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae |
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Term
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Definition
Looks like a bandage; superficial to semispinalis
O - lower C, upper T vertebral arches
I - mastoid process of temporal bone
Function:
One = turn head to same side
Both = EXTEND neck |
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Term
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Definition
Runs medially and inferior to splenius
O - lower C, upper T vertebral arches
I - occipital bone
F:
One = turn head to same side
Both = extend neck |
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Term
| What are the superficial muscles of the back? |
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Definition
| Erector spinae - spinalis, longissimus, iliocostalis (from medial to lateral) |
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Term
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Definition
O - upper L, lower T vertebrae
I - spinous processes of upper T and C vertebrae
F - EXTEND back |
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Term
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Definition
O - lower T, L vertebrae
I - transverse processes of upper vertebrae
F - EXTEND back |
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Term
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Definition
O - ileum of hip
I - upper posterior ribs |
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Term
| What are the deep back extensors known as? |
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Definition
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Term
| What direction do the superficial muscles of the back run? Deep group? |
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Definition
Superficial - fibers run UP
Deep - fibers run DOWN |
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Term
| Transversospinalis Muscles |
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Definition
O - spinous process of vertebra
I - transverse process of vertebra 3-4 down
F - back EXTENSION; localized lateral rotation (because of direction of fibers) |
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Term
| What innervates the superficial and deep muscles of the back? |
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Definition
The DORSAL RAMI of the spinal nerves
*Note: sensory information from back also travels through dorsal rami |
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Term
| If the articular disc at a given joint is thick, what does that say about the flexibility of the joint? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the ligaments of the vertebral arches? |
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Definition
Ligamentum Flavum - connect laminae
Interspinous Ligaments - run in between spines
Supraspinous Ligament(s) - runs superior to the spines (dorsal to spines); forms ligamentum nuchae in the neck
Intertransverse Ligaments |
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Term
| What muscles comprise the transversospinales muscles? |
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Definition
| Semispinalis capitis, cervicis, thoracis & multifidus |
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Term
| Which portion of the body of C1 is missing? |
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Definition
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Term
| Which spinous process of the cervical vertebrae is not bifid? |
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Definition
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Term
| What two reasons make the neck region very flexible? |
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Definition
Thick fibrocartilage discs
Apophyseal joints are in the horizontal plane |
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Term
| Where are ruptured discs most common? |
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Definition
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Term
| Why can prostate cancer migrate up to the base of the skull from the sacrum? |
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Definition
| Via the venous plexus, where LONGITUDINAL sets of veins run from the sacrum, up the vertebral column to the skull |
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