The Vertebral Column Flashcards Preview

Musculoskeletal System > The Vertebral Column > Flashcards

Flashcards in The Vertebral Column Deck (24)
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1
Q

What part of the vertebrae does the spinal cord travel through?

A

Vertebral foramen

2
Q

What is the large, anterior part of each vertebra called?

A

Vertebral body

3
Q

What is the posterior inferior projection of bone on the vertebrae called?

A

Spinous process

4
Q

What are the regions of the vertebral column and now many vertebrae make up each?

A
Cervical - 7
Thoracic - 12
Lumbar - 5
Sacral - 5 fused
Coccyx - 3-5 fused
5
Q

How do the vertebrae articulate?

A

Via superior and inferior articulating processes at zygopophyseal joints

6
Q

What are the posteriolateral projections of vertebrae called?

A

Transverse processes

7
Q

What do transverse processes do?

A

Articulate with ribs in thoracic vertebrae

8
Q

What are the 3 defining features of cervical vertebrae?

A

Spinous process bifurcates (apart from C7)
Transversarium foramen (vertebral arteries pass through to supply brain)
Vertebral foramen in triangular

9
Q

What are the main features of thoracic vertebrae?

A

Demi facets to articulate with respective rib + inferior rib
Costal facets of transverse processes to articulate with respective rib
Slanted spinal processes for protection
Vertebral foramen is circular

10
Q

What are the defining features of lumbar vertebrae?

A
Largest bodies (kidney shaped)
Triangular shaped vertebral foramen
11
Q

What are the defining features of the sacrum and coccyx?

A

All fused together in upside down triangle shape

Sacrum transmits spinal cord, coccyx doesn’t

12
Q

What is atlas and what is special about it?

A

C1

Lacks a body

13
Q

What is axis and what is special about it?

A

C2

Has an extended body - dens/odontoid process that articulates with the vertebral arch of the atlas

14
Q

What is the atlanto occipital joint?

A

C1 and the occipital bone of the skull articulate as a synovial joint
Permits extension and flexion of the head

15
Q

What is the atlanto axial joint?

A

C1 and C2 articulate to permit rotation of the head

16
Q

What do the intervertebral disks attach to?

A

Cartilaginous plates on the vertebral bodies

17
Q

What forms each intervertebral disc and what is their function?

A

Annulus fibrosus surrounding a nucleus pulposus

Shock absorbers

18
Q

What vertebral column ligaments prevent excessive extension?

A

Anterior longitudinal ligament

19
Q

What vertebral column ligaments prevent excessive flexion?

A

Posterior longitudinal ligament
Supraspinous ligament
Intertransverse ligaments
Ligamentum flavum

20
Q

Postnatally what spinal curvatures form?

A

Cervical - lifting head
Lumbar - walking
Secondary curvature

21
Q

What is a prolapsed vertebral disc?

A

Annulus fibrosus degenerates
Nucleus pulposus herniates posteriolaterally
Can apply pressure to associated spinal nerve

22
Q

What is kyphosis?

A

Exaggeration of primary curvature (thoracic curvature)

Occurs with age

23
Q

What is lordosis?

A

Exaggeration of secondary curvature

Often occurs with pregnancy

24
Q

What is scoliosis?

A

Lateral deviation of vertebral column