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Head and neck anatomy > Back Lecture 3 : Vertebral column, joints, ligaments > Flashcards

Back Lecture 3 : Vertebral column, joints, ligaments Flashcards

1
Q

The vertebral column consists of 33 vertebrae, namely :

A

7 cervical, 12
thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and
three to four coccygeal
vertebrae.

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2
Q

What do the sacral vertebrae fuse into?

A

The sacral vertebrae fuse into
a single bony element, the
sacrum.

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3
Q

What does the coccygeal vertebrae vary in? What does it often fuse into?

A

The coccygeal vertebrae vary
in number from three to four, and
often fuse into a single coccyx.

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4
Q

When does the vertebrae become larger?

A

The vertebrae becomes larger as it descends to the sacrum, from T4
downwards.

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5
Q

What is change in size related to?

A

Change in size is related to increase in body weight.

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6
Q

Where does the vertebrae reach its maximum size?

A

Just
above the sacrum, the vertebrae reaches its maximum size and the
weight is transferred to the pelvic girdle via the sacroiliac joint.

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7
Q

What does a typical vertebra contain?

A

A vertebral body, a vertebral and 7 processes

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8
Q

The vertebral body is the…

A

weight bearing part and is linked to adjacent vertebra via intervertebral
disc and ligaments

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9
Q

Where does the size increase?

A

Size increases inferiorly

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10
Q

What does the vertebral body consist of?

A

Spongy bone enclosed with compact bone

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11
Q

What are the superior and inferior surfaces covered with?

A

Superior and inferior surfaces are covered with hyaline cartilage ( absent in dried
specimens)

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12
Q

Describe the periphery.

A

Periphery is smooth- annular epiphysis, and unites to the centrum

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13
Q

What anchors the vertebral arch to the vertebral body?

A

Vertebral arch is anchored to the vertebral body by two pedicles, and consists
of pedicles and laminae.

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14
Q

What do the vertebral foramina form?

A

Vertebral Foramina together form the vertebral canal which contains the spinal
cord.

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15
Q

Where does the vertebral canal continue?

A

Vertebral canal continues superiorly with foramen magnum of the skull.

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16
Q

What is each pedicle notched on?

A

Each pedicle notched on its superior and inferior surface- superior and inferior
vertebral notches which form the intervertebral foramen

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17
Q

Where does the spinous process project?

A

Spinous process projects posteriorly from the junction of two laminae.

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18
Q

Where do the 2 transverse process extend?

A

2 Transverse processes extend poster laterally from junction of lamina and pedicle.

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19
Q

What do the 2 superior articular process and 2 inferior articular processes articulate?

A

2 superior articular process and 2 inferior articular process articulate forming
zygopophyseal joints.

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20
Q

Where does the spinal cord lie?

A

The spinal cord lies within

the canal

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21
Q

What is the spinal cord surrounded by?

A

Spinal cord is surrounded
by three connective tissue
membranes- meninges

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22
Q

What is the pia mater intimately associated with?

A

Pia mater-innermost layer:
intimately associated with
the spinal cord

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23
Q

What separates the arachnoid mater from the pia mater?

A

Arachnoid materseparated from the pia
mater by the subarachnoid
space contains CSF

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24
Q

What separates the dura mater from the bone?

A 
Dura mater-is separated 
from the bone by the 
extradural/epidural space 
containing loose connective 
tissue, fat, venous plexus.
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25
Where do the 31 pairs of spinal nerves emerge?
``` The 31 pairs of spinal nerves emerge from the vertebral canal between pedicals and adjacent vertebrae-intervertebral foramina ```
26
The 31 pairs of spinal nerves :
8 cervical(C1-C8), 12 thoracic (T1-T12), 5 lumbar (L1-L5), 5 sacral(S1-S5), 1 coccygeal (Co)
27
What helps each spinal nerve to attach to the spinal cord?
Each spinal nerve is attached to the spinal cord via anterior and posterior roots.
28
What does each nerve do after exiting the vertebral canal?
``` After exiting the vertebral canal via the intervertebral foramen each spinal nerve, branch off into anterior and posterior ramus. ```
29
What is the intervertebral foramen formed between?
The foramen is formed between adjacent vertebral arches and related to intervertebral joints.
30
What are the superior and inferior margins formed by?
Superior and inferior margins are formed by notches of adjacent pedicles
31
What is the anterior border formed by?
Anterior border is formed by the intervertebral disc between the vertebral bodies of the adjacent vertebrae
32
What is the posterior margin formed by?
Posterior margin is formed by the articular processes of the vertebral arches and associated joints.
33
What can the pathology that reduces the size of the intervertebral foramen affect?
``` Pathology that reduces the size of the intervertebral foramen eg. herniation of IV disc can affect the function of the associated spinal nerve ```
34
What are the distinguishing features of the vertebrae?
The foramen transversarium of the cervical vertebrae and a thoracic vertebrae that has rib elements as well as a lumbar vertebrae with a large size
35
The sacral vertebrae fuse into a...
large triangular bone
36
The coccygeal vertebrae fuse into a...
small triangular bone
37
A typical cervical vertebra[C3-C6] has the following features :
``` 1. Vertebral body is square shaped 2. Each transverse process has foramen tranversarium 3. Spinous process is short and bifid 4. Vertebral foramen is triangular ```
38
The Atlas(C1) and Axis(C2) are specialized to :
Accommodate the movement of the head
39
Describe the Atlas.
``` C1- major distinguishing factor-lacks a vertebral body. Ring shaped and composed of two lateral masses interconnected by anterior and posterior arch ```
40
Atlas and Axis What does each lateral mass articulate with?
``` Each lateral mass articulates with the occipital condyle (atlanto-occipital joint) and below with the sup articular facets of C2. ```
41
Anterior arch-articular facet for | dens of C2. What holds the dens in position?
Dens is held in position by the transverse ligament of the atlas.
42
What does the dens act as?
Dens acts as pivot that allows the atlas and attached head to rotate from side to side- atlanto-axial join
43
What is the axis characterised by?
C2(axis) is characterised by the dens which projects from the vertebral body.
44
What is the dens?
Dens are circular impressions for alar ligament that connect the dens to the medial surfaces of the occipital bone.
45
What does a typical thoracic vertebra have?
• Superior and inferior costal facets (partial facets) on each side of the vertebral body for articulation with the head of the own rib and the head of the rib below. • Each transverse process has facet for articulation with tubercle of its own rib. • Vertebral body-heart shaped, vertebral foramen is round.
46
Describe the Lumbar vertebra.
The Lumbar vertebra is large in size
47
Lumbar vertebra : Describe the transverse processes.
Transverse processes are generally thin and long, except for L5 which is massive for attachment of illiolumbar ligament.
48
Lumbar vertebra : Where is the mammillary process found?
The mammillary process is found on the superior articular facet
49
Describe the vertebral body and the foramen.
Vertebral body is cylindrical and foramen is triangular.
50
Describe the sacrum and how it is formed.
Five fused bones to form one triangular bone. Concave anteriorly.
51
What does the sacrum articulate with above and below?
Articulates above with L5 and below with coccyx
52
The sacrum has :
* Laterally-two L shaped facets for articulation with the pelvic bones * Four pairs of anterior and posterior sacral foramina
53
Describe the coccyx.
The coccyx is a small triangular bone with no vertebral canal
54
The joints include :
* Joints of the vertebral bodies * Joints of the vertebral arches * Craniovertebral joints * Costovertebral joints * Sacroiliac joints
55
What are the joints of the vertebral bodies formed by?
Formed by layer of hyaline cartilage on each vertebral body and an intervertebral(IV) disc which lies between the layers.- Secondary cartilaginous joints
56
What does an intervertebral disc consist of?
IV disc- outer annulus fibrosus and inner nucleus pulposus
57
What do degenerative changes of the annulus fibrosus lead to?
Degenerative changes of the annulus fibrosus can lead to herniation of the nucleus pulposus and cause impingement of spinal nerve roots.
58
UNCOVERTEBRAL JOINTS : The lateral margins of a typical cervical vertebrae are...
elevated uncinate processes
59
What type of joints are uncovertebral joints?
Synovial joints
60
What do the elevated uncinate processes articulate with?
These processes articulate with | the vertebral body above to form
61
JOINTS OF THE VERTEBRAL ARCHES: Zyogpophyseal joints are...
synovial joints between the superior and inferior articular facets on adjacent vertebrae
62
What does the articular capsule attach to and what does it enclose?
An articular capsule attaches to margin of the articular facets and encloses each joint
63
CRANIOVERTEBRAL JOINTS:
ATLANTO-OCCIPITAL | AND ATLANTO-AXIAL JOINTS
64
Craniovertebral joints are...
synovial joints with no IV discs
65
What do atlanto-occipital joints permit?
Atlanto-occipital joints- permit flexion and extension-nodding movement YES, synovial condyloid
66
The atlanto-axial joint has...
3 articulations, 2 lateral atlanto-axial joints (plane), 1 median atlanto axial joint( pivot) pivot movement ( turning from side to side)- NO
67
The ligaments that support joints :
* Anterior longitudinal ligament[ALL] | * Posterior longitudinal ligament[PLL]
68
What is the anterior longitudinal ligament attached to superiorly?
Attached superiorly to the base of the skull and runs the length of vertebral column to insert inferiorly to the anterior surface of the sacrum.
69
Where is the posterior longitudinal ligament located?
On the posterior surface of the vertebral body
70
The similarity between the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligament.
Like the (ALL) attached along the length of the vertebral column to IV discs and vertebral bodies.
71
What is the tectorial membrane?
Upper part of the PLL that connects C2 to the base of the skull is called the tectorial membrane.
72
Where does the ligamenta flava/flavum lie and where does it run?
Lies between adjacent laminae on each side. Runs between the posterior surface of the laminae below to the anterior surface the laminae above.
73
What does the ligamenta flava/flavum form?
Forms part of the vertebral canal
74
The function of the ligamenta flava/flavum :
Function: resist separation of laminae during flexion and assist in extension.
75
What does the supraspinous ligament connect and where does it pass?
Supraspinous ligament: connects and passes along the tips of spinous processes of C7-sacrum.
76
Where does the ligamentum nuchae become distinct?
From vertebra C7 to skull the ligament becomes distinct- Ligamentum nuchae
77
Describe the ligamentum nuchae.
• Ligamentum nuchae- triangular in median sagital plane.
78
Attachments of the supraspinous ligament and the ligamentum nuchae :
Attachments: base- external occipital protuberance to foramen magnum
79
Apex :
Apex- tip of spinous process of C7
80
Functions of the supraspinous ligament and the ligamentum nuchae :
FXN: supports head, provides muscle attachment
81
Where is the vertebrae positioned?
Positioned posteriorly in the | body at the midline.
82
When the vertebrae is viewed laterally, it has...
4 curvatures
83
Describe the primary curvature.
Primary curvature -concave anteriorly- in the thoracic and sacral regions
84
Describe the secondary curvature.
Secondary curvatures - concave posteriorly-in the lumbar and cervical regions

Head and neck anatomy (22 decks)

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