MSK The vertebral column Flashcards
How many bones make up each region of the vertebral column?
Cervical - 7 Thoracic - 12 Lumbar- 5 Sacral - 5 fused Coccyx - 4 fused
What are the functions of the vertebral column?
- protection of spinal cord
- support, carries weight of the body above the pelvis
- forms the central axis of the body
- movement and posture
Describe the general structure of a vertebral bone
Vertebral body anteriorly
- weight bearing component
- size increased downwards (increased weight bearing)
- superior and inferior lined with hyaline cartilage
Vertebral arch posteriorly and laterally - forms a vertebral foramen which form the vert canal Bony prominences: Left and right pedicles Lamina Transverse processes Articular processes Spinous processes
What is the function of the different bony prominences of the vertebral arch?
Pedicles - left and right
Lamina - bone between transverse and spinal processes
Transverse processes - extend laterally from pedicles (articulate with ribs in thoracic)
Articular processes - superior and inferior and articulate with articular processes above and below
Spinous processes - site of attachment for muscles and ligaments
What are the distinctive features of cervical vertebrae?
The spinous process splits into 2 parts - bifid spinous process
There are 2 transverse foramina, one in each transverse process to conduct vertebral arteries
The vertebral foramen is a triangular shape
Exceptions: Atlas and Axis are more specialised, C7 does not have a bifid spinous process
What are the distinctive features of thoracic vertebrae?
On the vertebral body there are 2 ‘demi facets’ on either side to articulate with 2 ribs
On the transverse processes there is a ‘costal facet’ for rib articulation
The spinous process is slanted inferiorly to offer increased protection
The vertebral foramen is circular
What are the distinctive features of lumbar vertebrae?
Largest
The vertebral bodies are large and kidney shaped (for supporting extra weight)
The vertebral foramen is a triangular shape
What are the articulations of the vertebrae?
Each vertebral body is lined by hyaline cartilage and connects to other vertebrae by a fibrocartilage intervertebral disc
What are the ligaments supporting the vertebrae?
anterior longitudinal ligament prevents hyperextension
posterior longitudinal ligament prevents hyperflexion
Ligamentum flavum - lamina to lamina
Interspinous and supraspinous ligament join spinous processes together
Intertransverse ligaments - extend between transverse processes
What are the names of the different abnormal curvatures of the spine?
Kyphosis - excessive thoracic curvature causing hunchback deformity
Lordosis - excessive lumbar curvature causing swayback deformity
Scoliosis - lateral curvature of spine
Cervical spondylosis - decreases in the size of intervertebral foramina which puts pressure on nerves causing pain
What happens during herniation of an intervertebral disc?
Two regions of the discs
- the nucleus pulposus is jelly like and posterior
- the annulus fibrosus is tough and surrounds the nucleus pulposus
In herniation the nucleus pulposus ruptures and breaks through the annulus fibrosus. usually happens posteriorly
How is the atlas (C1) specialised?
No vertebral body and no spinous process
It has an articular facet anteriorly which articulates with axis
Has lateral masses on either side of vertebral arch which provide attachment for transverse ligament of atlas
Groove for vertebral artery on posterior arch
How is the axis (C2) specialised?
A dens extends superiorly from anterior
The dens articulates with the articular facet of the atlas to create a medial atlanto-axial joint (allows for head rotation)
