Lecture 5.1: Vertebral column & back

Question 1

How many vertebraes do we have?

Answer 1

33 in total

Question 2

What is the “axial” skeleton?

Answer 2

It’s where our upper and lower limbs ‘hang’ off. Skull, rib, vertebral column.

Question 3

Name the regions of the vertebral column

Answer 3

Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacrum, Coccyx

Question 4

What structures compose the vertebral column?

Answer 4

Distinct vertebrae, intervertebral joints and discs, intervertebral foramen and vertebral canal

Question 5

What is the “vertebral canal/foramen”?

Answer 5

It’s the hole we can see in each vertebrae, where the spinal column passes through. (top view)

Question 6

What is the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 6

The hole that is formed when two vertebrae are joined together (side view)

Question 7

Describe the development of the structure of the vertebral column

Answer 7

When we are born, we have a PRIMARY ‘C’ shaped curvature. Months after we are born, we develop our SECONDARY lumbar and cervical regions.

Question 8

What are the names of some abnormal curvatures that may occur? Describe them. (3)

Answer 8

1. Kyphosis: hunchback
2. Scoliosis: Spine is not straight
3. Abnormal lordosis: Sway back; opposite of hunch

Question 9

What type of bone are vertebrae?

Answer 9

IRREGULAR BONES

Question 10

What is the structure of the BODY of the vertebrae like?

Answer 10

It has bone in the middle, covered by the epiphyseal ring (cartilage)

Question 11

What is a “process”? And name the ones we have

Answer 11

A projection or outgrowth of tissue from a larger body. IT may be used as a muscle attachment point, for leverage…
Transverse, spinous, articular.
Articular has 2 inferior and 2 superior

Question 12

What are pedicles?

Answer 12

A stub of bone that connects the lamina to the vertebral body to form the vertebral arch.

Question 13

What forms the vertebral foramen? i.e What are the structures that make the circle?

Answer 13

Pedicles and lamina

Question 14

Describe the vertebral arch

Answer 14

Vertebral body; coming off on both sides is the pedicles, then coming off these is the lamina, that are joined. On the left and right of the lamina is the transverse processes and straight in the middle is the spinous process.

Question 15

How many vertebrae is each part composed of?

Answer 15

Cervical: 7
Thoracic: 12
Lumbar: 5
Sacrum: 5
Coccyx: 4

Question 16

What does the cervical and thoracic support?

Answer 16

Cervical: weight of head
Thoracic: ribs

Question 17

Describe the spinal cord; length + placement

Answer 17

The spinal cord runs through the vertebral column but NOT ALL THE WAY; terminates at L1. This is where the cauda equina begins. As we grow older, our vertebral column grows longer than our spinal cord, outgrowing it.

Question 18

What is the cauda equina?

Answer 18

A bundle of spinal nerves and roots. L2-L5

Question 19

How is the spinal cord protected?

Answer 19

It is covered by meninges; dura, arachnoid and pia mater

Question 20

What sort of things run through the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 20

MIXED spinal nerves, vessels

Question 21

How are spinal nerves named? Exception?

Answer 21

For CERVICAL: nerves are named by which vertebrae they “sit” on
For THORACIC: nerved are named by which vertebrae is on TOP of the nerve
The exception is C8; we only have up to C7 but because of the naming convention, there is a C8 nerve

Question 22

Where are each type of spinal nerves located?

Answer 22

Motor: ventral horn
Sensory: dorsal root ganglion
Mixed: anterior and posterior rami in the intervertebral foramen

Question 23

What are rami

Answer 23

Is a “branch”; They contain both sensory and motor components

Question 24

What are the types of vertebral joints?

Answer 24

1. Intervertebral

2. Zygapophyseal

Question 25

What are intervertebral discs/joints? Describe their structure.

Answer 25

- Join adjacent vertebral bodies - Secondary cartilaginous joints - In the middle is the NUCLEUS PULPOSUS, covered by the ANULUS FIBROSUS

Question 26

What is the NUCLEUS PULPOSUS, ANULUS FIBROSUS?

Answer 26

Nucleus pulposus: a hydrated 'gel'; water | Anulus fibrosus: multi layered fibre, connects to the epiphyseal ring

Question 27

What is the nucleus pulposus like in adults vs children?

Answer 27

adults: dried out child: hydrated

Question 28

Describe the structure of the anulus fibrosis

Answer 28

Each layer is different; either oriented like / or like \. This enables movement in all directions without tearing, and also resists excessive movement. When we 'twist', one type tightens while the other loosens; therefore never twist+lift!

Question 29

Describe the features of the nucleus pulposus

Answer 29

Deformable but not compressible. Shock absorber

Question 30

What are zygapophyseal (facet) joints?

Answer 30

They are plane synovial joints (permits gliding in one axis). It is where articular processes join.

Question 31

What is the difference between articular processes in the T and L vertebra?

Answer 31

T: orientated in the coronal plane, permits rotation L: orientated in the sagittal plane: permits flexion and extension

Question 32

What is the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments?

Answer 32

inter: connect adjoining spinous processes of the vertebra in the spine supra: found along the vertebral colum; covers it

Question 33

What is the ligamenta flava?

Answer 33

Elastic; connect the lamin of adjacent vertebrae, all the way from the second vertebra, axis, to the first segment of the sacrum.

Question 34

What are superficial/extrinsic muscles of the back?

Answer 34

'FAKE' They all attach to and act on the upper limb; one attachment to back, the other to limb

Question 35

Name the superficial/extrinsic muscles of the back

Answer 35

1. Trapezius 2. Latissimus Dorsi 3. Levator scapulae 4. Rhomboid; major and minor

Question 36

What does the trapezius connect?

Answer 36

Spine + scapula

Question 37

What does the rhomboid connect?

Answer 37

back + scapula

Question 38

What does the latissimus connect?

Answer 38

T and L vertebrae, with humerus

Question 39

What are deep/intrinsic muscles of the back? What are the two groups called?

Answer 39

They are the TRUE back muscles; they all attach to and act on the back. Erector spinae and transversospinalis

Question 40

What is erector spinae?

Answer 40

Group of TRUE back muscles: they are LONG, 'prime' movers, allows us to stand straight, and ben down; flexion

Question 41

What is transversospinalis?

Answer 41

Group of TRUE back muscles; they are SHORT, act as stabilisers; prevents excess movement

Question 42

What is lumbar fascia?

Answer 42

Surrounds the lower back muscles and 'binds' them; provides attachments for extrinsic muscles of the back and erector spinae forms tight compartment for the intrinsic muscles; enhanced their actions

Question 43

Bulge; herniation; extrusion?

Answer 43

When the disc bulges, pokes out, and a part leaves, into the vertebral foramen.

Question 44

What is osteophytes?

Answer 44

Vertebrae rub against each other, thinning down the cartilage/disc; loses fluid there... can affect the nerves that run there

Question 45

In what region does the spinal cord terminate?

Answer 45

L1/L2

Question 46

What kind of joint are intervertebral discs?

Answer 46

Secondary cartilaginous joints; has both hyaline and fibrocartilage

Question 47

Nucleus pulposus: deformable? compressable? Features?

Answer 47

Deformable but not compressable. SHOCK ABSORBERS

Question 48

What are the different types of spinal ligaments we have?

Answer 48

1. Anterior longitudinal ligament 2. Posterior longitudinal ligament 3. Interspinous ligament 4. Supraspinous ligament

Question 49

What is the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 49

Covers the laminas; allows them to separate a little for flexion; VERY ELASTIC