Unit 2- Vertebral Column

Question 1

List the functions of the vertebral
column (hint: there are 4)

Answer 1

1. Protection for spinal cord & surrounding meninges, and spinal nerves
2. Supports the weight of the body
3. Site of muscle attachment
4. Controls and limits torso movement

Question 2

Identify the regions of vertebral column and the number of vertebrae in each region

Answer 2

Cervical Region- 7
Thoracic Region- 12
Lumbar Region- 5
Sacrum Region- 5
Coccyx Region- 4

Question 3

What feature separates the individual vertebra in the vertebral column?

Answer 3

curvature

Question 4

What is the difference between a primary vertebral curvature and a
secondary vertebral curvature?

Answer 4

primary- developed during fetal period (3rd-9th month)
-concave anteriorly

secondary- complete development after birth
-concave posteriorly

Question 5

What regions of the vertebral column are primary curvatures?

Answer 5

-thoracic + sacral/ pelvic

Question 6

What regions of the vertebral column are secondary curvatures?

Answer 6

-cervical + lumbar

Question 7

In a person able to give birth, why might a more acute lumbosacral angle be beneficial?

Question 8

Identify the features that indicate the anterior, posterior, and lateral sides of a typical vertebra.

Answer 8

Vertebral Body- anterior
Spinous Process- posterior
Transverse Process- lateral

Question 9

What features combine to form the vertebral/neural arch?

Answer 9

Pedicle + Lamina

Question 10

In a single vertebra, the spinal cord passes through the _______.

Answer 10

vertebral foramen

Question 11

An intervertebral foramen is formed by the _____ and _____.

Answer 11

inferior vertebral notch + superior vertebral notch

Question 12

What passes through the
intervertebral foramen?

Answer 12

spinal nerves

Question 13

Explain the difference between a vertebral foramen and the
vertebral canal.

Answer 13

vertebral foramen- single opening

Vertebral canal- multiple openings (vertebral foramens stacked make a vertebral canal)

Question 14

What vessel passes through the transverse foramen?

Answer 14

vertebral arteries

Question 15

How can you easily identify a cervical, thoracic, and lumber vertebra?

Answer 15

Cervical- looks like elephant
Thoracic- looks like giraffe
Lumbar- looks like moose

Question 16

What are key features of a cervical vertebra?

Answer 16

has transverse foramen + most have Bifid Spinous Process

Question 17

What features are characteristic of a typical cervical vertebra?

Answer 17

transverse foramen + most have Bifid Spinous Process

Question 18

Describe the appearance and function of the C1 vertebra. What is the other name for C1?

Answer 18

Atlas- holds up the skull and swivels around the axis (creates the “yes” motion when C1 articulates with the occipital condyles skull)

No body or spinous process; ring-like

Question 19

Describe the appearance and function of the C2 vertebra. What is the other name for C2?

Answer 19

Axis- Ligaments support this mechanism of rotation for the cervical spine (creates no motion)

has Dens

Question 20

Define Dens

Answer 20

Structure that initially would have been C1 body embryologically migrated to become the dens

Question 21

What motion can occur due to C1 articulating with the skull? What motion can occur due to C1 articulating with C2?

Answer 21

C1- nodding yes
C2- shaking head no

Question 22

What features are characteristic of
thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 22

costal facets

Question 23

How many costal facets do thoracic vertebrae contain?

Answer 23

3
-superior costal facet
-inferior costal facet
-transverse costal facet

Question 24

What features are characteristic of a lumbar vertebra?

Question 25

How was the ala of the sacrum formed?

Answer 25

fused remnants of transverse processes

Question 26

What passes through the anterior and posterior sacral foramina?

Question 27

What fuses together to form the median sacral crest?

Question 28

Which bone articulates with the auricular surface of the sacrum?

Question 29

The sacral hiatus is the termination of what features?

Question 30

Identify the parts of the intervertebral disc and describe the function of each part.

Question 31

Describe the functions of the stabilizing ligaments of the vertebral column.

Question 32

Describe what happens when an intervertebral disc herniates.

Question 33

Define Kyphosis, Lordosis, and Scoliosis

Question 34

Where in the vertebral column will each abnormal curvature most likely occur?