The Vertebral Column

Question 0

Functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 0

Provides:

• centre of gravity
• attachments for bones
• attachments for trunk muscles
• protection and passage of the spinal cord
• allows segmental nerves to leave/join the cord at unspecified points along the continuum of the vertebral column to supply their targets

Question 1

Movements of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

Flexion (bowing) and extension
Abduction/lateral flexion
Rotation

Question 2

Presentation of the spinal cord in the foetus?

Answer 2

Lies flexed in a single curvature - the primary curvature

Question 3

This does the vertebral column present in a young adult?

Answer 3

With 4 distinct curvatures

Spinous bends give the column great resistance

Question 4

What type of curvature do each of the regions of the spinal cord have?

Answer 4

Cervical - secondary (cervical convexity)
Thoracic - primary (thoracic concavity)
Lumbar - secondary (lumbar convexity)
Sacral - primary (sacral concavity)

Question 5

What happens in old age to the shape of the vertebral column?

Answer 5

Secondary curvatures start kf disappear and the VC returns t its original shape in the foetus.
Fully continuous primary curvature as the VC closes up

Question 6

How many vertebrae are there?

Answer 6

33

Question 7

What are the two assemblies of the vertebrae?

Answer 7

Discrete single vertebrae - 24 of these, all capable of individual movement
Fused vertebrae- 9 fused to give two innominate structures:
-sacrum (5 fused)
-coccyx (4 fused)

Question 8

Two parts of a vertebra?

Answer 8

A vertebral body anteriorly

A vertebral/neural arch posteriorly

Question 9

Features of a vertebral body?

Answer 9

Largest part of the vertebra (usually)
Main weight bearing part
Main site of contact between adjacent vertebrae
Lined with hyaline cartilage
Linked to adjacent vertebrae by intervertebral discs

Question 10

What are the three process called which emerge from the vertebral arch?

Answer 10

1 spinous process

2 transverse processes

Question 11

What is the pedicle?

Answer 11

The part of he arch between the body and the transverse process

Question 12

What is the lamina?

Answer 12

Part of the neural arch between the transverse and spinous process

Question 13

What do articular processes allow for?

Answer 13

Synovial joints to be formed between neural arches of adjacent vertebrae

Question 14

Functions of synovial joints between vertebrae?

Answer 14

Prevent anterior displacement of vertebrae
Allow for limited movement
Bear weight when upright

Question 15

What forms the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 15

Superior and inferior notches on the pedicle

Question 16

What passes through the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 16

Segmental nerves

Question 17

Which regions of the vertebral column are intervertebral discs found?

Answer 17

C2/3 to L5/S1

Question 18

What type of joint do IV discs form?

Answer 18

Secondary cartilaginous joints (symphyses)

Question 19

Functions of the IV discs?

Answer 19

Act as shock absorbers
Give the secondary curvature due to their wedge shape
Give flexibility to the vertebral column

Question 20

Two regions of the IV disc?

Answer 20

Central - nucleus pulposus

Outer - annulus fibrosus

Question 21

Structure of annulus fibrosus?

Answer 21

Series of annular bands with various orientations
Outer bands are collagenous
Inner are fibro-cartilaginous

Question 22

Talk about degenerative annular disease

Answer 22

Degeneration of the annulus fibrosis
Leads to osteophytosis at end plates and disc space margins
Usually seen in thoracolumbar spine in people over 50

Question 23

What are the two major ligaments which strap all of the vertebrae together?

Answer 23

Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 24

Where does the anterior longitudinal ligament extend to and from?

Answer 24

Anterior tubercle of the atlas to the front of the upper part of the sacrum

Question 25

Features of the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 25

Very strong Broadens as it passes downwards Firmly united to periosteum of vertebral bodies and free over the discs

Question 26

Where does the posterior longitudinal ligament extend to and from?

Answer 26

Back of the body of the second cervical vertebra to the canal of the sacrum

Question 27

Features of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 27

Narrows as it passes downwards Has serrated margins - broadens over IV discs Separated from vertebral bodies by basivertebral veins

Question 28

What is the ligamentum flava?

Answer 28

A yellow ligament which joins laminae of adjacent vertebrae. Attached to the front of upper lamina and back of lower

Question 29

What is the supraspinous ligament?

Answer 29

Joins tips of adjacent spinous processes

Question 30

What is the interspinous ligament?

Answer 30

Unites spinous processes along their adjacent borders Well developed in the lumbar region Fuses with supraspinous ligaments

Question 31

Where does the nuchal ligament attach?

Answer 31

Proximally to the back of the skull | Distally to the thoracic spinal ligaments (interspinous and supraspinous)

Question 32

Function of the nuchal ligament?

Answer 32

Maintains secondary curvature of cervical spine Helps the cervical spine to support the head Major site of attachment for neck and trunk muscles

Question 33

Distinguishing features of the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 33

Bifid spinous process Two transverse foramen in the transverse processes Large triangular vertebral foramen

Question 34

Features of the thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 34

Facets of the side of the body for articulating with the head of the ribs Facets on the transverse processes for articulations with tubercle of the ribs Vertebral foramen is small and circular

Question 35

Features of the lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 35

Largest of the discrete vertebrae Vertebral foramina are triangular and small Large columnar body which is kidney shaped Short, broad and blunt spinous processes

Question 36

What is the atlas?

Answer 36

C1 | Articulates with the skull and axis below

Question 37

Features of the atlas

Answer 37

No body or spinous process Neural arch is thick and sting Fused with the body of the axis to form the Dens process The widest cervical vertebra

Question 38

What is the axis?

Answer 38

C2

Question 39

Features of the axis?

Answer 39

Large spinous process | Rugged lateral mass

Question 40

What is whiplash? What is damaged?

Answer 40

Severe hyperextension of the neck Anterior longitudinal ligament is severely stretched and may be torn Injure posterior parts of the vertebrae Crushing/compression of the vertebral arches

Question 41

What is excessive thoracic kyphosis?

Answer 41

(Hunchback) | Abnormal increase in thoracic curvature (primary curvature)

Question 42

What is excessive lumbar lordosis?

Answer 42

Characterised by anterior tilting of pelvis | Increased extension of the lumbar vertebrae producing an abnormal increase in lumbar kyphosis

Question 43

What is scoliosis?

Answer 43

Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine accompanied by rotation of the vertebrae

Question 44

What is cervical spondylosis?

Answer 44

Decrease in size of the vertebral foramina, usually due to the degeneration of the joints of the spine. Smaller size of the intervertebral foramina puts pressure on the exiting nerves, causing pain.

Question 46

In a herniated disc, what does the localised back pain result from?

Answer 46

Pressure on the longitudinal ligaments and periphery of the annulus fibrosus Local inflammation

Question 47

What is chronic pain caused by in a slipped disc?

Answer 47

Compression of the spinal nerve roots by the herniated disc. Referred pain - often comes from the dermatome supplied by that nerve.

Question 48

Features of the nucleus pulposus?

Answer 48

Jelly like High osmotic pressure Dehydrates with age, reducing its height

Question 70

How does herniation of an IV disc occur in older people?

Answer 70

Flexion of the vertebral column produces compression anteriorly and stretching posteriorly, squeezing the the nucleus pulposus further posteriorly towards the thinnest part of the annular fibrosus. Nucleus pulposus may herniate and compress the spinal cord.