- 12 - Larger than cervical vertebrae - have 2 costal demi facets (articulating surfaces with head of ribs) - long spinous processes that hook sharply downwards -

- 5 (L1-L5) - Have short, hatchet shaped spinous processes - most sturdy of all vertebrae

Back Flashcards by Zohaib Hussain

How many vertebrae are there?
Give break down

33 vertebrae

7 cervical
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
5 sacral
3 coccygeal

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In between which vertebrae does significat motion occur?

The 25 superior vertebrae

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What does the sacrum form from?

5 sacral vertebrae that fuse in adults

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The 4 coccygeal vertebrae fuse at what age and what do they form?

Form the coccyx
Approximately 30 years of age

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What is the trend in size of vertebra?

Gradually become larger upto sacrum and then become smaller towards the apex of the coccyx

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Why do vertebrae change size?

Increased amount of body weight.

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How is weight transfered from vertebral column to pelvic girdle?

Sacrum transfers weight to pelvic girdle via the sacro - iliac joints

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Why is the Vertebral column flexible?

It consists of many small vertebrae

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What separates vertebrae

IV (intervertebral) disks

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What facilitates movement in cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae

Articulation at facet joints

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What is the function of the IV discs?

Cushion vertebrae and absorb shocks

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What are the 2 components of the IV discs

Nucleus pulposus
Anulus fibrosus

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What are the typical land marks of a vertebrae?

Vertebral body
Vertebral arch
7 processes

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What is the purpose of the vertebral body?

To give strength to the column and support body weight

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What are pedicles?

Short cylindrical processes that project posteriorly from vertebral body to meet laminae

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What is vertebral canal aka?

Spinal canal

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What does the vertebral canal contain?

Spinal cord
Roots of spinal nerves
Meninges
Fat and vessels

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What are the 7 processes of a vertebrae?

1 spinous process
2 transverse processes
4 articular processes ( 2 superior and 2 inferior)

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What are the characteristics of the C3 - C6 cervical vertebrae?

Smallest and lightest vertebrae
Spinous processes are short and bifid
Transverse processes contain foramina - vertebral arteries pass through to brain

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What are the characteristics of the C7 vertebra?

longest spinous process (not bifid)
1st vertebra that can be palpated

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What are the characteristics of the C1 vertebra?

Atlas

Has no body and formed of 2 lateral masses
facets articulate with occipital condyles (atlanto-occipital joint)
joint allows flexion, extension and lateral moment (no rotation)

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What are the characteristics of the C2 vertebra?

Axis

forms joint with atlas (atlanto-axial joint)
joint allows rotation
Has upright dens (odontoid processes) that act as pivot

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Thoracic Vertebrae

12
Larger than cervical vertebrae
have 2 costal demi facets (articulating surfaces with head of ribs)
## long spinous processes that hook sharply downwards

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Lumbar Vertebrae

5 (L1-L5)
Have short, hatchet shaped spinous processes
most sturdy of all vertebrae

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What are the specialities of the thoracic vertebrae?

- Articulate with ribs - High degree of rotation permitted here - Limited flexion and extension due to spinous processes - Spinous processes can be palpated

What is the sacrum formed by?

Fusion of 5 vertebrae

What does the sacrum form posteriorly?

Posterior wall of the pelvic cavity

What is the Coccyx formed from?

Fusion of 4 tiny, irregular shaped vertebrae

What is the name for the holes in the sacrum?

Anterior sacral foramina

What is vertebral body osteoporosis?

A common metabolic bone disease that reduces quality of bones Caused by a net demineralisation of bones - disruption of calcium deposition and resorption

What are the most affected areas of osteoporosis?

Neck of femur Body of vertebrae Metacarpals Radius Bones become weakened and can fracture

What are the 3 stages of osteoporosis?

Early - verticak striations (lines) in bodies Moderate - Radiolucency (less white, more transparent) Later - Thoractic kyphosis (excessive curvature of spine) - due to collapsed vertebral bodies

What is laminectomy?

The surgical extension of spinous process and vertebral laminae/pedicles

What is laminectomy used for?

Gaining access to the vertebral canal and spinal cord OR To receive pressure on spinal cord caused by tumour, herniated disc or bone hypertrophy

Disc account for what percentage of the length of the vertebral column?

25%

What is the anterior longitudinal ligament? What does it cover/connect?

Strong fibrous band Covers and connects anterolateral aspects of the vertebral bodies and IV discs

What does the anterior longitudinal ligament prevent and limit?

Prevents hyperextension of vertebral column Only ligament which limits extention

Posterior longitudinal ligament

- Narrow and weak band - Runs within vertebral canal along posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies - Weakly resists hyperextension and helps prevent posterior herniation of the IV disc

What movemnent can the cerviacl spine undergo?

* Rotation * Flexion / extension * Side flexion

What movement can the thoracic spine undergo?

*Rotation

What movement can the lumbar spine undergo?

* Flexion / extension * Lateral flexion

How many curvatures are there in an adult's spine?

The cervical and lumbar curvatures are?

Lordoses Concave from posterior view Secondary curvatures

The thoracic and sacral curvatures are?

kyphoses Concave from anterior view Primary curvatures

What is the Herniation of nucleus pulposus (IV discs)

- Protrustion of nucleus pulposus into anulus fibrosis - Casues frequent back pain - Often happens posterolaterally where anulus fibrosis is thinnest - no support anteriorly or posteriorly by longitudinal ligaments

What do the extrinsic muscles of the back do?

Move the upper limbs and ribs

What do the Intrinsic muscles of the back do?

Move the vertebral column and head Maintain postire

Where are the erector spinae muscles found?

Either side of the vertebral column

What 3 columns are the intrinsic back muscles divided into?

- Lateral - Iliocostalis - Intermediate - Longissimus - Medial - Spinalis (each of these 3 are further split into lumborum, thoracic and cervicis)

Spinal cord

- It begins as a continuation of the medulla oblongata - 45cm in legnth - Extends to L1/L2 (shorter than vertebral column)

What is the collection of the spinal nerves caled?

Cauda equina

What is the name of place were spinal cord ends?

Conus Medularis

How is the spinal cord of a fetal/new born different?

- Different growth of vertebral column and spinal cord during fetal development - Spinal cord terminates at L3 in a new-born

What is the spinal meninges made up of?

*Spinal dura mater *Spinal arachnoid mater *Spinal pia mater

What is the function of the spinal meninges?

They surround and support the spinal cord and contain the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid)

What is the dura matter?

The outermost covering membrane of the spinal cord

What is the spinal arachnoid matter?

A delicate structure that encloses the CSF filled subarachnoid space Its separated from pia mater by subarachnoid space (containing CSF)

What is the spinal pia matter and what are its characteristics?

The innermost covering membrane of the spinal cord *Thin and transparent *Continues as the filum terminale *Suspended in the dural sac by the filum terminale and denticulate ligaments

What is a lumbar spinal puncture used for?

Withdrawal of CSF from the lumbar cistern (subarachnoid) - used as important diagnostic tool

What can alter the cells of the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid)?

Meningitis and diseases of the central nerous system