The Vertebral Column (AP)

Question 1

5 regions of vertebral column (how many vertebrae in each)

Answer 1

• Cervical (7)
• Thoracic (12)
• Lumbar (5)
• Sacral (5)
• Coccyx (4)

Question 2

4 main functions of vertebral column

Answer 2

• Protection
• Support
• Haematopoiesis
• Movement

Question 3

Borders of vertebral foramen

Answer 3

• Vertebral body (anterior)
• Vertebral arch (posterior)

Question 4

Why are vertebral bodies of the lower portion larger?

Answer 4

• Body is weight-bearing component
• Increased weight as you go down

Question 5

Components of vertebral arch

Answer 5

• Spinous process
• Lamina
• Articular process
• Pedicle
• Transverse process

Question 6

Distinguishing features of a cervical vertebra

Answer 6

• Triangular vertebral foramen
• Bifid spinous process
• Transverse foramina (for vertebral arteries to travel to brain)

Question 7

Distinguishing features of a thoracic vertebra

Answer 7

• Circular vertebral foramen
• Spinous process extends inferiorly
• Heart-shaped vertebral body
• 2 demi-facets (for ribs)
• 1 costal facet (for rib)

Question 8

Distinguishing features of a lumbar vertebra

Answer 8

• Traingular vertebral foramen
• Kidney-shaped vertebral body

Question 9

Distinguishing features the sacrum

Answer 9

Lateral surface has facets for articulation with pelvis

Question 10

Distinguishing features of the coccyx

Answer 10

• No vertebral arches
• No vertebral canal

Question 11

Distinguishing features of the atlas

Answer 11

• No vertebral body
• No spinous process

Question 12

Facets of the atlas

Answer 12

• Superior articular facet
• Inferior articular facet
• Facet for Dens

Question 13

What do each of the facets of the atlas articulate with?

Answer 13

• SAF = occipital condyles of skull
• IAF = axis
• FFD = dens of axis

Question 14

What is the atlas-axis joint secured by?

Answer 14

• Transverse ligament of atlas
• Apical ligament of dens
• Alar ligament of dens
• Longitudinal fibres

Question 15

Distinguishing features of the axis

Answer 15

• Odontoid process (dens)
• Superior articular facet

Question 16

Movements of the spine

Answer 16

• Flexion
• Extension
• Lateral flexion
• Medial flexion
• Rotation

Question 17

4 curvatures of the spine

Answer 17

• Cervical (posterior concavity - secondary)
• Thoracic (anterior concavity - primary)
• Lumbar (posterior concavity - secondary)
• Sacral (anterior concavity - primary)

Question 18

What maintain the curvatures of the spine

Answer 18

• Extensors of back
• Abdominal flexors

Question 19

Function of the spinal curvatures

Answer 19

Absorb shock

Question 20

What is scoliosis?

Answer 20

Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine

Question 21

What is kyphosis?

Answer 21

Excessive outward curvature of the spine in thoracic region (hunchback)

Question 22

What is lordosis?

Answer 22

Excessive inward curvature of the spine in lumbar region

Question 23

How do mobile vertebrae articulate with each other?

Answer 23

• Facet joints (plane synovial)
  > Superior articular facets with inferior AFs
• Vertebral body joints (2ndary cartilaginous)
  > Vertebral bodies lined with hyaline
  > Via IVDs

Question 24

Which ligaments strengthen the vertebral body joints?

Answer 24

• Anterior longitudinal ligament
• Posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 25

Which ligaments strengthen facet joints?

Answer 25

- Ligamentum flavum (between lamina of adjacent) - Interspinous ligament (between spinous processes) - Supraspinous ligament (tips of spinous processes) - Intertransverse ligament (between transverse processes) - Ligament nuchae (spinous process to external occipital protuberance)

Question 26

Which structures protect the spinal cord?

Answer 26

- Vertebral bodies - IVDs - Ligaments - Surrounding muscle - Meninges - CSF

Question 27

Function of IVDs

Answer 27

- Shock absorbers - Prevent friction

Question 28

What happens in IVDs as person ages

Answer 28

Nucleus pulposus dries out --> uneven weight distribution --> microfractures --> degeneration of spine

Question 29

What happens in a herniated disc

Answer 29

- Rupture in annulus fibrosus - Nucleus pulposus breaks through in posterolateral direction - Irritates nearby spinal nerves

Question 30

Function of extrinsic back muscles

Answer 30

- Move upper limbs - Move thoracic wall

Question 31

Innervation of extrinsic back muscles

Answer 31

Anterior rami of spinal nerves

Question 32

Muscles in superficial layer of extrinsic back muscles

Answer 32

- Trapezius - Latissimus dorsi - Rhomboid major - Rhomboid minor - Levator scapulae

Question 33

Muscles in intermediate layer of extrinsic back muscles

Answer 33

- Serratus posterior superior - Serratus posterior inferior

Question 34

Function of serratus posterior superior and inferior

Answer 34

- S = elevate ribs during inspiration - I = depress ribs during expiration

Question 35

Innervation of intrinsic back muscles

Answer 35

Posterior rami of spinal nerves

Question 36

Action of splenius muscles

Answer 36

- Rotate head to same side - Extend head + neck

Question 37

Action of suboccipital muscles

Answer 37

Extend + rotate head

Question 38

Action of erector spinae muscles

Answer 38

- Extension of spine - Lateral flexion of spine