Musculo Skeletal Anatomy - Week 1 - Vertebral column Flashcards
(12 cards)
What are the Functions of the Vertebral column?
Support
* Forms the axis of the body and is critical for upright posture (standing or sitting)
* Supports for the head and attachment point and brace for movements of the upper
limbs
* Supports for transferring the weight of the trunk to the lower limbs.
Protection
* Protects the spinal cord and proximal portions of the spinal nerves before they
distribute throughout the body.
Movements
* Helps in movements of the head and upper limbs and in support and movements of
the vertebral column.
What are the vertebral column segmentations?
- Cervical: 7 vertebrae
- Thoracic: 12 vertebrae
- Lumbar: 5 vertebrae
- Sacral: 5 fused vertebrae
- Coccygeal: 4 vertebrae, but variable; Co1
often is not fused, but Co2-Co4 are fused.
How many vertebrae are there in the vertebral column?
33 vertebrae
What are the curvatures called that are present after birth?
Secondary curvatures.
These curvatures include cervical and lumbar.
What are the curvatures called that are present in the fetus?
Primary curvatures.
These primary curvatures include thoracic and sacral.
What are the different types of curvature from each region?
Cervical curvature (cervical lordosis)
* Support the weight of the head
Thoracic curvature (thoracic kyphosis)
* Accommodates many organs in the region
Lumbar curvature (lumbar lordosis)
* Formed when the infant assumes an
upright posture and supports its own
weight
Sacral curvature
* Accommodates organs in the pelvic region
What is the intervertebral foramina?
The intervertebral foramina is a pathway for spinal nerves.
What are the functions of the intervertebral disc?
- Separates the vertebral bodies
therefore increasing motion - Transmits load from one vertebral
body to the next vertebrae
What makes up the intervertebral disc?
Nucleus pulposus:
* Gelatinous mass in the centre
Annular fibers:
* Fibrous outer ring
* Enhances the spine’s rotational stability and
helps to resist compressive stress.
Vertebral end plate:
* Superior and inferior surfaces.
* Helps hold the disc in place.
What are the features of the Lumbar vertebrae?
Lumbar vertebrae have:
* Vertebral body are large
- Triangular shape vertebral foramen
- Spinous processes short and horizontal
- Mammilary process
- Accessory process
What are the features of the Thoracic vertebrae?
Thoracic vertebrae include:
* Have Costal facets in the body and transverse process
- Vertebral body become larger
- Heart shape vertebral foramen
- Spinous processes slant inferiorly
What are the features of the cervical vertebrae?
Cervical vertebrae include:
- Transverse foramen
- Triangular vertebral foramen
- Smaller vertebral body
