Vertebral Column

Question 1

Why is the hyoid bone special

Answer 1

It is the only bone in the body that isn’t directly attached to another bone

Question 2

What are the 4 functions of the vertebral column

Answer 2

Support (head and trunk); protection (spinal cord); locomotion (joint movement); systemic (haematopoiesis/calcium store)

Question 3

What is haematopoiesis

Answer 3

Creation of new blood cells (red and white)

Question 4

How many vertebrae are there

Answer 4

33

Question 5

Split the vertebrae up into their groups

Answer 5

7 cervical; 12 thoracic; 5 lumbar; 5 sacral (fused to form 1 sacrum); 4 coccygeal (fused to form 1 coccyx)

Question 6

What is a primary curvature called

Answer 6

Kyphosis (concave)

Question 7

What is a secondary curvature called

Answer 7

Lordosis (convex)

Question 8

What does the C1 vertebrae have and not have that makes it different

Answer 8

Anterior and posterior arch; does not have a body or spinous process

Question 9

Describe the structure of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 9

Long with inferiorly angled spinous processes

Question 10

Where do the ribs articulate on the thoracic vertebrae

Answer 10

Vertebral body and transverse processes

Question 11

How many pairs of ribs do we have

Answer 11

12

Question 12

What ribs are true ribs and explain why

Answer 12

1-7; attach via their costal cartilage to the sternum

Question 13

What ribs are false ribs and explain why

Answer 13

8-10; attach via the costal cartilage above them to the sternum

Question 14

What ribs are floating ribs and explain why

Answer 14

11 and 12; no attachment to the sternum

Question 15

Where does the sacral vertebrae articulate with the pelvis

Answer 15

Sacroiliac joint

Question 16

Where do intervertebral foramen form and what are they used for

Answer 16

Between adjacent vertebrae; spinal nerves emerge through them

Question 17

What vertebrae do not have intervertebral discs

Answer 17

C1; C2; sacrum; coccyx

Question 18

What is the function of intervertebral discs

Answer 18

To absorb forces

Question 19

What is the outer ring of intervertebral discs called

Answer 19

Anulus fibrosus

Question 20

What is the fibrogelatinous centre of intervertebral discs called

Answer 20

Nucleus pulposus

Question 21

Where does the spinal cord persist to

Answer 21

Approx. L2 (adults)

Question 22

What arises from the cord at each level

Answer 22

A pair of spinal nerves; exit via intervertebral foramina

Question 23

What is the function of ligaments in the vertebral column

Answer 23

To stabilise joints and discus during movement

Question 24

What are the 2 ligaments called in the vertebral column

Answer 24

Anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL); posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL)

Question 25

What are 3 abnormal vertebral curves

Answer 25

Thoracic kyphosis (hunchback); lumbar lordosis (pregnancy); scoliosis (lateral deviation)