The Vertebral Column Flashcards
How many true vertebra are in the vertebral column?
24 total
7 cervical (C-spine)
12 thoracic (T-spine)
5 lumbar (L-spine)
How many fused segments are in the vertebral column and where are they located?
9 total
In the Sacrum and Coccyx
5 sacral
3-4 coccyx
What 3 stages of life will the spine curve dramatically change?
Fetal
Infancy to adult
Elderly
What is the curve during the fetal stage?
Anteriorly concave - known as the primary curvature
(remains in thoracic and sacral to adulthood)
What is the curvature stage from infancy to adulthood?
The secondary curvature develops which is convex and shows up in as the cervical and lumbar curvature
What is the curvature change during the elderly stage?
Secondary curvature starts to disappear particularly in the cervical area causing a hunchback known as kyphosis
Lordosis
Abnormal curvature of the lumbar spine causing a “swayback” deformity.
Kyphosis
Exaggerated concave curvature of the thoracic spine causing a “hunchback” deformity
Scoliosis
Lateral “S” curve of the spine. It occurs primarily in the thoracic spine with compensatory curves in the cervical and lumbar spine. It is congenital or secondary to trauma and/or pathology
Spinous process
A
Location: Posterior projection from the vertebral arch
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral)
Purpose: Provides attachment for muscles and ligaments that control movement and stability of the spine
Attachments: Ligamentum nuchae, supraspinous ligament, various back muscles (e.g., trapezius, rhomboids, spinalis)
Superior articular process
B
Location: Extends upward from the vertebra to articulate with the vertebra above
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)
Purpose: Forms part of the facet joints, allowing controlled movement and flexibility of the spine
Attachments: None directly, but supports joint capsule and ligaments
Articulations: Articulates with the inferior articular process of the vertebra above
Transverse process
C
Location: Lateral projections from the vertebral arch
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae; more prominent in thoracic vertebrae for rib articulation
Purpose: Provides attachment points for muscles and ligaments; in thoracic vertebrae, also articulates with ribs
Attachments: Deep back muscles, intertransverse ligaments, levator scapulae, and erector spinae muscles
Articulations: In thoracic vertebrae, articulates with the tubercle of the ribs
Pedicle
D
Location: A short, thick bony bridge connecting the vertebral body to the transverse processes
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae
Purpose: Helps form the vertebral arch and protects the spinal cord
Attachments: None directly, but forms part of the vertebral foramen boundary
Articulations: Connects the vertebral body to the posterior elements of the vertebra
Vertebral body (superior endplate)
E
Location: The thick, weight-bearing anterior portion of the vertebra
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae (largest in lumbar region for weight-bearing)
Purpose: Supports body weight and helps absorb shock from movement
Attachments: Intervertebral discs attach to the superior and inferior endplates
Articulations: Articulates with adjacent vertebral bodies via intervertebral discs
Vertebral foramen
F
Location: The large central opening within each vertebra
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae; forms the vertebral canal when stacked together
Purpose: Houses and protects the spinal cord
Attachments: None directly
Articulations: None directly, but collectively forms the vertebral canal for spinal cord passage
Superior articular facet
G
Location: A smooth, flat surface on the superior articular process
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae
Purpose: Forms the zygapophyseal (facet) joints, allowing movement between vertebrae
Attachments: None directly, but supports the joint capsule of facet joints
Articulations: Articulates with the inferior articular facet of the vertebra above
Lamina
H
Location: A thin bony plate forming the posterior part of the vertebral arch
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae
Purpose: Protects the spinal cord and contributes to the vertebral arch
Attachments: Ligamentum flavum, muscles of the back, and spinous process
Articulations: Connects with the lamina of the opposite side to complete the vertebral arch
Vertebral body
1
Location: The large, cylindrical, weight-bearing portion of the vertebra at its anterior side
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae (largest in lumbar region for weight support)
Purpose: Supports body weight and serves as the main structure for intervertebral disc attachment
Attachments: Intervertebral discs attach to the superior and inferior surfaces
Articulations: Articulates with the adjacent vertebral bodies via intervertebral discs
Inferior vertebral notch
2
Location: A concave depression on the lower border of the pedicle
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae
Purpose: Helps form the intervertebral foramen, allowing spinal nerves to exit
Attachments: None directly
Articulations: Aligns with the superior vertebral notch of the vertebra below to form the intervertebral foramen
Inferior articular facet
3
Location: A smooth, flat surface on the inferior articular process
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae
Purpose: Forms the zygapophyseal (facet) joints, allowing controlled movement between vertebrae
Attachments: None directly, but supports the joint capsule of facet joints
Articulations: Articulates with the superior articular facet of the vertebra below
Spinous process
4
Location: Posterior projection from the vertebral arch
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae (varies in shape, longest in thoracic region)
Purpose: Provides attachment for muscles and ligaments involved in spinal movement and stability
Attachments: Ligamentum nuchae, supraspinous ligament, various back muscles (e.g., trapezius, spinalis)
Articulations: None directly
Pars interarticularis
5
Location: The part of the vertebral arch between the superior and inferior articular processes
Part of Spine: Most prominent in the lumbar vertebrae, susceptible to stress fractures (spondylolysis)
Purpose: Helps transmit forces between the anterior and posterior parts of the vertebra
Attachments: None directly, but acts as a structural bridge within the vertebral arch
Articulations: Connects the superior and inferior articular processes
Transverse process
6
Location: Lateral projections from the vertebral arch
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae; prominent in thoracic vertebrae for rib articulation
Purpose: Provides attachment for muscles and ligaments; in thoracic vertebrae, also articulates with ribs
Attachments: Deep back muscles, intertransverse ligaments, levator scapulae, and erector spinae muscles
Articulations: In thoracic vertebrae, articulates with the tubercle of the ribs
Superior articular process
7
Location: A bony projection extending upward from the vertebra
Part of Spine: Found in all vertebrae
Purpose: Forms part of the facet joints, allowing movement and stability in the spine
Attachments: None directly, but supports the joint capsule of the facet joints
Articulations: Articulates with the inferior articular process of the vertebra above
