Term
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Definition
- Cervical - 7
- Thoracic - 12
- Lumbar - 5
- Sacral - 5 (fused)
- Coccygeal - 4 (fused)
- Column is not straight
- 4 normal sagittal plane curves
- Thoracic and Sacral concave anteriorly
- due to shape of the vertebral bodies
- Primary curves - present at birth
- Cervical and Lumbar concave posteriorly
- due to growth of the IVD's
- Secondary curves - develop after birth
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Term
| Joints Between the Vertebral Bodies |
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Definition
- Cartilaginous Joints
- Thin layer of hyaline cartilage on the surface of the vertebral bodies
- Intervertebral Discs (IVD's)
- fibrocartilage
- no IVD between C1 and C2
- Annulus Fibrosus
- Nucleus Pulposus
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Term
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Definition
- About 12 concentric rings of fibrocartilage
- Resists compression and twisting
- Transfers forces to vertebral bodies
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Term
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Definition
- Gel-like; holds water (70-80% water)
- Resists compression
- Changes shape with movement
- Make up 25% of the height of the vertebral column
- 1-2 cm shorter in PM than AM
- shorter with age due to decreased water content in nucleus pulposus
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Term
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Definition
- Allows for movement of the column
- Serve as shock absorbers
- Poorly vascularized
- May rupture if severe, sudden force/pressure
- Slipped disc is really a herniated or prolapsed nucleus pulposus
- Annulus usually ruptures posterolaterally where it is the thinnest
- Extruded nuclear material and swelling from the injury may put pressure on sensitive structures and nerves
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Term
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Definition
- Atlas
- Superior articular facets are rounded to support the skull
- Atlanto-occipital (A-O) joint primary motions are flexion and extension
- Fovea dentis = Articular facet for the dens
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Term
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Definition
- Axis
- Dens which articulates with the fovea dentis on C1 (Atlas pivots around the dens)
- Atlanto-axial (A-A) joint primary motions are rotation to the left and right
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Term
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Definition
- Facets have oblique orientation (vertical)
- superior articular facet faces superior and posterior
- inferior articular facet faces inferior and anterior
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Term
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Definition
- Facets are oriented in the frontal plane
- superior articular facets face posteriorly
- inferior articular facets face anteriorly
- "Giraffe"
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Term
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Definition
- Facets are oriented in the sagittal plane except L5-S1 which is in the frontal plane
- superior articular facets face medially
- inferior articular facets face laterally
- "Moose"
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Term
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Definition
- Sacrum
- 5 fused vertebrae
- Sometimes S1 is seperate or L5 is fused to sacrum
- Coccyx
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Term
| Ligaments of the Vertebral Column |
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Definition
- Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
- Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
- Ligamentum Flavum/Flava
- Ligamentum Nuchae
- Interspinous Ligament
- Supraspinous Ligament
- Intertransverse Ligaments
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Term
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Definition
- increased thoracic curvature
- may be due to osteoporosis
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Term
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Definition
- Increased lumbar or cervical curvature
- "Swayback"
- May be due to pregnancy, weak abdominal muscles, faulty posture
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Term
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Definition
- Lateral curvature and rotation
- Possible causes include faulty posture, paralysis, leg length discrepancy, congenital malformation, idiopathic
- Compensatory curves may develop in other parts of the spine
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Term
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Definition
- Narrowing of the spinal canal
- May result from arthritis or bone spurs
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