2 Vertebral column Flashcards
How many of each vertebrae are there in the vertebral column?
7 cervical. 12 thoracic. 5 lumbar. 5 sacral. 4 coccygeal.
What proportion of the length of the spinal cord do the intervertebral discs make up?
1/4 length.
Why does cervical vertebrae dislocation not compress the spinal cord?
Vertebral foramen and relatively wide.
Describe C1.
Atlas.
No spine or body.
Anterior and posterior arches with tubercles and lateral masses.
Describe C2.
Two large superior articular facets.
Dens/odontoid tooth held in place by transverse ligament of axis.
Describe fracture of the dens.
Less dense - prone to fracture.
By hyperextension or hyperflexion.
Held i place by transverse lig of atlas.
Describe the thoracic vertebrae.
Heart shaped body.
Costal demi-tacets for rib head articulation.
Long spinous process.
Transverse process facet for rib articulation.
What are vertebrae held together by?
Zygopophysial joints, intervertebral discs and ligaments.
Describe the structure of the intervertebral discs.
Annulus fibrosis: fibrocartilage ring attached to epiphyseal rim.
Nucleus pulposus: gelatinous shock absorber.
What is whiplash?
Hyperextension of the neck.
Anterior longitudinal ligament torn.
If severe: part of vertebral body is avulsed and compressed spinal cord.
Which curvatures of the vertebral column are present in the foetus?
Primary: thoracic and sacral kyphosis.
What is scoliosis?
Sideways curvature of the spine.
What changes occur in osteoporosis? (3)
Loss of trabeculae.
Concave vertebral bodies.
Osteophyte formation.
What is a slipped disc? (3)
Herniation of the nucleus pulposus.
Usually between L4/5 or L5/S1 in posterolaterally direction.
May cause caudal equina syndrome.
Which ligament binds the lamina of adjacent vertebrae?
Ligamentum flavum.
