ANATOMY - Vertebral Column

Question 1

What are the four functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

Maintenance of posture
Muscle attachment
Encloses and protects spinal cord
Protects structures of the neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvis

Question 2

What type of bones are vertebrae?

Answer 2

Irregular bones

Question 3

What are the seven main structures found in most vertebrae?

Answer 3

Dorsal spinous process
Transverse processes
Vertebral foramen
Vertebral body
Vertebral arch
Articular facets
Notches

Question 4

What is the function of the dorsal spinous process and transverse processes?

Answer 4

Increase surface area for muscle attachment

Question 5

Which structure is formed by the vertebral foramina when the vertebrae are aligned?

Answer 5

Vertebral canal

Question 6

Which structure is contained within the vertebral canal?

Answer 6

Spinal cord

Question 7

What are the names of the cranial and caudal surfaces of the vertebral body?

Answer 7

Cranial endplate
Caudal endplate

Question 8

Which structures make up the lateral border of the vertebral arch?

Answer 8

Pedicles

Question 9

Which structure makes up the dorsal border of the vertebral arch?

Answer 9

Lamina

Question 10

What is the function of the articular facets?

Answer 10

Allow for articulation between the adjacent vertebrae

Question 11

How many articular facets does each vertebra have?

Answer 11

Four articular facets

Question 12

What type of joint is found between the adjacent vertebrae at the level of the articular facets?

Answer 12

Synovial joint

Question 13

What is the name of the space between the endplates of adjacent vertebra?

Answer 13

Intervertebral disc space

Question 14

Which structure is contained within the intervertebral disc space?

Answer 14

Intervertebral disc

Question 15

What are the two components of the intervertebral disc?

Answer 15

Annulus fibrosis
Nucleus pulposus

Question 16

What is the function of the nucleus pulposus?

Answer 16

Anti-concussive

Question 17

What is the function of notches?

Answer 17

Notches align to form the intervertebral foramina which allow spinal nerves to exit the spinal cord and enter the periphery

Question 18

What are the two unique features of cervical vertebrae?

Answer 18

Ventral projections on the transverse processes
Transverse foramina

Question 19

What is the function if the ventral projections on the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 19

Point of attachment for hypaxial muscles

Question 20

Which two structures pass through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 20

Vertebral artery
Vertebral vein

Question 21

Which two cervical vertebrae are atypical?

Answer 21

C1 (atlas)
C2 (axis)

Question 22

Which two structures are not present on the C1 (atlas) vertebra?

Answer 22

Vertebral body
Dorsal spinous process

Question 23

Which structure is unique to the C1 vertebra (atlas)?

Answer 23

Wings (enlarged transverse processes)

Question 24

Which two structures are unique to the C2 vertebra (axis)?

Answer 24

Elongated dorsal spinous process
Dens (additional vertebral body)

Question 25

Which two joints make up the occipito-atlanto-axial complex?

Answer 25

Atlanto-occipital joint Atlanto-axial joint

Question 26

Which two structures articulate to form the atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 26

Occipital condyles of the skull C1 (atlas) vertebra

Question 27

What is the range of movement for the atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 27

Flexion and extension

Question 28

Which two structures articulate to form the atlanto-axial joint?

Answer 28

C1 (atlas) vertebra C2 (axis) vertebra

Question 29

What is the range of movement for the atlanto-axial joint?

Answer 29

Rotation

Question 30

Why is it beneficial to distribute the range of neck movement between the atlanto-occipital joint and atlanto-axial joint?

Answer 30

Reduces the risk of spinal cord damage due to excessive movement in this region

Question 31

Why do thoracic vertebrae have such short transverse processes?

Answer 31

To allow for space for rib articulation

Question 32

What is the function of the costal fovea on the thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 32

The costal fovea articulate with the head of the rib

Question 33

What is the anticlinal vertebra?

Answer 33

The anticlinal vertebra is the thoracic vertebra with the shortest dorsal spinous process and is the point where the dorsal spinous processes will start to angle cranially rather than caudally

Question 34

What is the function of the anticlinal vertebra?

Answer 34

Prevents overcrowding of the dorsal spinous processes when the vertebral column is hyperextended

Question 35

Which thoracic vertebra is the anticlinal vertebra in dogs?

Answer 35

T11

Question 36

Which thoracic vertebra is the anticlinal vertebra in horses?

Answer 36

T16

Question 37

Why do lumbar vertebrae have such elongated transverse processes?

Answer 37

Increases surface area for abdominal wall muscle attachment

Question 38

What are the five intervertebral ligaments?

Answer 38

Dorsal longitudinal ligament Ventral longitudinal ligament Interspinous ligaments Interarcuate ligaments Supraspinous ligament

Question 39

Where is the dorsal longitudinal ligament located?

Answer 39

Dorsal longitudinal ligament runs along the dorsal aspect of the vertebral bodies

Question 40

Where is the ventral longitudinal ligament located?

Answer 40

Ventral longitudinal ligament runs along the ventral aspect of the vertebral bodies

Question 41

Where are the interspinous ligaments located?

Answer 41

Interspinous ligaments are located between the adjacent dorsal spinous processes

Question 42

Where are the interarcuate ligaments located?

Answer 42

Interarcuate ligaments are located between the notches of the adjacent vertebrae

Question 43

Where is the supraspinous ligament located?

Answer 43

Supraspinous ligament runs along the dorsal aspect of the dorsal spinous processes from T1 to Cd3

Question 44

What is the nuchal ligament?

Answer 44

The nuchal ligament is a fibroelastic extension of the supraspinous ligament from T1 cranially to C2

Question 45

What is the function of the nuchal ligament?

Answer 45

Passive support of the head

Question 46

Which two species' have a nuchal ligament?

Answer 46

Dogs Horses

Question 47

What are the two components of the nuchal ligament seen in horses?

Answer 47

Funicular part Laminar part

Question 48

Why is the nuchal ligament more developed in horses?

Answer 48

To support the larger and heavier equine head