The Vertebral Column

Question 1

Five regions of the vertebral Column

Answer 1

1. The cervical region consisting of 7 cervical vertebrae
2. The thoracic region consisting of 12 thoracic vertebrae
3. The lumbar region consisting of 5 lumbar vertebrae
4. The sacral region consisting of 5 sacral vertebrae
5. The coccygeal region consisting of 4 coccygeal vertebrae which in adult are fused to form 1 coccyx.

Question 2

Normal Curves of the vertebral column

Answer 2

1. Cervical curve
2. Thoracic curve
3. Lumbar curve
4. Sacral curve

Question 3

Abnormal curves of the vertebral column

Answer 3

1. Scoliosis
2. Kyphosis
3. Lordosis

Question 4

Scoliosis

Answer 4

Lateral bending of the vertebral column commonly in the thoracic region.

Can be caused by: congenital malformed vertebrae, chronic sciatica, paralysis of muscles on one side of the vertebral column.

Question 5

Kyphosis

Answer 5

Increase in the thoracic curve of the vertebral column also known as hunch back

Question 6

Causes of kyphosis

Answer 6

• crashed vertebral bodies due to TB
• Degeneration of intervertebral discs,
• rickets
• Poor posture

Question 7

Lordosis

Answer 7

Increase in the lumbar curve of the vertebral column.

Can be caused by pregnancy, extreme obesity.poor posture. Rickets and osteoporosis

Question 8

intervertebral discs

Answer 8

Discs present between the Bodies of adjacent vertebral starting from the c2 to sacrum

Contribute to 25% of the total height of the vertebral column

Question 9

Anatomy of intervertebral disc

Answer 9

• comprised of an out ring of fibrocartilage called annulus fibrosus
• And inner soft, pulpy substance called nucleus pulposus.
• Inferior and superior surfaces of the disc have a thin plate of hyaline cartilage

Question 10

Parts of a typical vertebrae

Answer 10

1. Anterior part called the body
2. Posterior part called neural arc

• The posterior surface of the body and the neural arc enclose a foremen called vertebral foramen through which spinal cord passes

Question 11

The body of vertebra

Answer 11

• Anterior surface is convex from side to side.
• Posterior surface is concave and borders with vertebrae foramen

Question 12

The neural arc is made up there;

Answer 12

• 2 pedicles
• 2 laminae
• 7 processes

The 7 processes are comprised of 2 transverse processes, 2 superior and 2 inferior articular process and 1 spinous process

Question 13

Laminae

Answer 13

Fuse in the Midline and encloses the vertebral foramen

Question 14

Transverse process

Answer 14

Project laterally one on either side from the site of fusion of pedicles.

Question 15

The articular processes

Answer 15

Project upwards and downwards on each side from the junction of the pedicles and laminae.

Question 16

How is the atlas different from all the cervical spines.

Answer 16

It has no body

Question 17

Atlas

Answer 17

Composed of 2 lateral masses which are joined by
*a short anterior arc and longer posterior arc

Question 18

How is the 7th cervical spine different from the rest of the cervical spine.

Answer 18

• the spinous process is longer and not bifid but ends in roughened tubercle.
• Transverse processes have large posterior root and have no anterior tubercle
• Small transverse foramen and vertebral artery does not run through itm

Question 19

Functions of the vertebral column

Answer 19

• provide support to the weight of the head, upper limbs and trunk.
• To protect the spinal cord

Question 20

Functions of the curves of the vertebral column

Answer 20

• Increase the strength of the vertebral column
• Help to maintain balance in the upright position
• Absorbs shock when walking thereby protecting the column from fracturing.

Question 21

Functions of the intervertebral discs

Answer 21

• form strong joints which allow different movements of the vertebral column.
• Absorbs shock within the vertebral column