Chapter 6 Flashcards
How many bones make up the vertebral column before fusion?
33 bones
Where are the costotransverse joint and costovertebral joint located and what does it articulate?
Location: thoracic spine
Costotransverse joint: tubercle of the rib articulates w the transverse process of the vertebra
Costovertebral joint: head of the rib articulates w the body of the vertebra
Which type of vertebrae possess the costotransverse and costovertebral joints?
Thoracic vertebrae
Name all the facets found on vertebrae and what articulates with each one
Cervical vertebrae: superior articular facet of axis: articulates w inferior articular facet of atlas
Thoracic vertebrae: Demi facets: articulate w heads of two different ribs; transverse costal facets: articulate w the ribs
Lumbar vertebrae: no costal facets
Name all the foramen on vertebrae and what structure(s) course through them
Cervical vertebrae
* transverse foramen: vertebral artery CV6-CV1
Thoracic vertebrae
* no foramina
lumbar vertebrae
* no foramina
What forms the vertebral arch?
two pedicles and two laminae
Describe where the transverse processes and spinous processes can be found on a typical vertebra
transverse processes: found laterally at the junction of a lamina and a pedicle
spinous processes: found posteriorly from each vertebral arch at the junction of the two laminae
Where can bifid spinous processes be found?
on cervical vertebrae CV2-CV6
Where can anterior and posterior tubercles be found? On what vertebra?
- bifid transverse processes
- cervical vertebrae
What structures help create the intervertebral foramen?
vertebral notches
What is the relation between vertebrae and supporting body weight and changes in size?
- vertebrae increase in size going superior to inferior
- vertebrae inferior to lumbosacral region (pelvis & lower limbs) don’t support body weight
What structures should one look for to identify: Cervical vertebra
- transverse foramen
- bifid spinous process
- bifid transverse processes
- anterior & posterior tubercles
What structures should one look for to identify: Thoracic vertebra
- transverse costal facets
- no foramina
What structures should one look for to identify:
Lumbar vertebra
- no foramina
- no facets
- largest in size
Which vertebra has the most prominent spinous process?
CV7 vertebra prominens
What are the functions of the vertebral column?
- posture
- support of weight
- protection for the spinal cord and spinal nerves
- partial protection for thoracic and abdominal organs
Which parts of the vertebral column have a primary curvature, and which have a secondary curvature?
primary curvature: thoracic & sacral
secondary curvature: cervical & lumbar
What does having a primary curvature or secondary curvature mean?
primary curvature: present during fetal life and remain the same in the adult
secondary curvature: developed after birth
What differences in height do the primary and secondary curvatures create?
- primary curvature: differences in height between the anterior and posterior aspects of the vertebral bodies
- secondary curvature: differences in height between the anterior and posterior aspects of the intervertebral discs
What curvature does a fetus have in their vertebral column?
primary curvature
What area of the sacrum displays remnants of vertebrae?
median sacral crest
What area of the sacrum has nervous structures exiting from it?
- pelvic sacral foramina: ventral rami of S1 to S4 exit from here
- dorsal sacral foramina:dorsal rami of S1 to S4 exit from here
Where is the sacral hiatus found and what structure is missing in order to have this space present?
- found at the distal part of the sacrum
- laminae on the fifth sacral segment is missing
What is the ala? Does it articulate with anything?
- wing of the sacrum: the upper part of the lateral part of the sacrum
- articulates with the ilium of the hip bone
