Back Flashcards
Vertebral Column
“Backbone”
Spinal Column
Backbone + spinal cord.
Motion Segments of the Vertebral Column
Cervical & Lumbar
of Vertebrae (adult & child)
24 in adult (33 to start)
Cervical Region
7 vertebrae, lordosis (posteriorly concave, anteriorly convex)
Thoracic Region
12 vertebrae, kyphosis (posteriorly convex, anteriorly concave)
Lumbar Region
5 vertebrae, lordosis (posteriorly concave, anteriorly convex)
Sacral Region
1 vertebrae (5 fused segments), kyphosis (posteriorly convex, anteriorly concave)
Coccygeal Region
1 vertebrae (4 fused segments)
Path Around a Vertebra
Vertebral body –> Pedicle –> Transverse process –> Lamina –> Spinous process –> Pedicle –> Vertebral body
Spinous Processes
- Project posteriorly, differentiates b/w vertebrae
- Bifid in cervical region (except c7)
- Spine-like in thoracic region
- Oblong in lumbar region
Transverse Processes
- Project laterally
- Articulates w/ ribs 1-10 in thoracic region
- Transverse foramina in cervical region
Articular Processes/Facets
- Two superior & two inferior @ junction of lamina & pedicles
- Interlock with superior & inferior facets to form synovial joints
- CC (up/down) in cervical
- AP (front/back) in thoracic
- ML (side/side) in lumbar
Lumbar Processes
- Mammillary Processes & Accessory Processes
- Purpose is stabilization
Mammillary Processes
-Tubercle on posterior surface of superior articular process (only lumbar & T12!)