Basic anatomy of the spine Flashcards
(37 cards)
how many vertebrae each section
7, 12,5,5,4
8 cervical spinal nerves
What is a typical vertebrae and examples
A vertebrae with a body, vertebral arch and several processes
Eg cervical , thoracic , lumbar and sacrum and coccyx are the types of vertebra
Middle portion of all of these
What is an atypical vertebrae
Highly modified by function and position eg C1,2,7
T1,9,10,11,12 and L5
Transitioning regions of the vertebral Colomm
Identify 4 features of a typical cervical vertebrae
Small size
Transverse foramina
Saddle shaped body
Bifid spinous process
C1 is different atlas , as is shaped like a ring
C2, (axis( has upward facing long bony processes called dens
The Dens facilitates turning motions as joins to C1 thereby allowing the head to turn in different directions
C7 - spinous process is a lot bigger better fit to fit with T1 below. C7 also lacks any holes ( transverse processes foramina) for the vertebral arteries to pass through which are present in all other cervical vertebrae
C7 has large spinous process felt at the back of the neck - easily seen and felt at the base making it a prominent landmark of the skeleton and giving the C7 vertebrae promines
what is the spine
vertebral coloumn that holds us up
what is the back
posterior surface of trunk
what is the trunk/torso
body head and limbs
roles of the spine
Protects the fragile spinal cord & spinal nerves
Carrying the superior portion of the body
Allows the body to resist gravity
Absorbs shocks through curves and intervertebral discs
Allows limited movement of the trunk & neck
how many vertebrae and spinal nerves
33 v
31 spinal nerves
which v regions are fused
sacral and coccygeal
conus medullaris what level
L1-2
L3 in babies
what are the curves in your spine known as
cervical lordosis - secondary curvature
thoracic kyphosis
lumbr lordosis
sacral kyphosis - primayr curvature -Kyphosis is curvature of the spine that causes the top of the back to appear more rounded than normal
inter only kyphosis - one big curve
cervical lordosis can be exaggerated when
I’m women with OA
when does a baby begin to lift its head
3 months
Starts as a flexion posture before you are born: Foetal concavity
Cervical lordosis
when does a baby begin to stand
1 year old
Lumbar lordosis
starts developing when babies begin to learn to stand
what is scoliosis
Scoliosis is where the spine twists and curves to the side.
treatment includes painkillers, braces and surgery
ifferent surgical techniques may be used, such as:
laminectomy – where a section of 1 of the bones in your spine (vertebrae) is removed to relieve pressure on the affected nerve
discectomy – where a section of 1 of the discs between the vertebrae is removed to relieve pressure on a nerve
spinal fusion – where 2 or more vertebrae are joined together to stabilise, strengthen and straighten the spine
prosthesis and implants
what goes through the vertebral foramen
The spinal cord passes through the vertebral foramina of the vertebrae: the collective vertebral foramina are referred to as the vertebral canal, or spinal canal.
how do spinal nerves exit the spinal cord
through neural foramina
what are the transverse process
The transverse processes serve as muscle attachment sites and are used as lever arms by spinal muscles. The muscles that attach to the transverse processes maintain posture and induce rotation and lateral flexion of single vertebrae and the spine as a whole.
what is pedicle
Each vertebra has two cylinder-shaped projections (pedicles) of hard bone that stick out from the back part of the vertebral body, providing side protection for the spinal cord and nerves. The pedicles also serve as a bridge, joining the front and back parts of the vertebra.
what vertebrae have downward facing processes
thoracic
vertebral body shape cervical , thoracic and lumbar
small, wide side to side
larger than cervical heart shaped
kidney shaped
which vertebral foramen is circular
thoracic
cervical and lumbar - triangular
neural foramen is also called intervertebral foramen
true
in lumbar vertebrae rotation is prevented in thoracic flexion and extensions prevented