Vertebral anatomy

Question 1

Vertebral bodies of cervical vertebrae

Answer 1

Small bodies

Question 2

Vertebral foramen of cervical vertebrae

Answer 2

Triangular

Question 3

Transverse processes of cervical vertebrae

Answer 3

Has a foramen transversarium

Question 4

Features of the atlas

Answer 4

Supports the skull. Lacks a body and spinous process. Has a large transverse process.

Question 5

Features of the axis

Answer 5

Odontoid process, large, bifid spinous process. Slightly smaller transverse processes.

Question 6

Features of C7

Answer 6

Called the vertebral prominens. Has a long spinous process which is not bifurcated and has large transverse processes.

Question 7

A typical vertebra consists of…

Answer 7

A body, vertebral arch and 7 processes.

Question 8

Components of the vertebral arch

Answer 8

Pedicles (lateral portions) and lamina (posterior portion)

Question 9

7 vertebral processes

Answer 9

Transverse (x2), spinous, superior articular process (x2), inferior articular process (x2).

Question 10

Intervertebral foramen

Answer 10

The gap formed by the spinous processes of two adjoining vertebra

Question 11

Features of cervical vertebra

Answer 11

Small bodies, bifid spinous process, transverse foramen in the transverse process.

Question 12

Features of the thoracic vertebra

Answer 12

Larger than cervicals, long and prominent SP with downward angle. Costal facets on the transverse processes and and additional tubercle which articulates with the rib.

Question 13

Features of lumbar vertebrae

Answer 13

Large vertebral bodies with short, blunt spinous and transverse processes.

Question 14

Sacrum

Answer 14

Triangular bone formed by 5 fused vertebrae.

Question 15

Median sacral crest

Answer 15

Formed by the remnants of spinous processes

Question 16

Lateral sacral crest

Answer 16

Formed by the remnants of the transverse processes.

Question 17

Sacral promontory

Answer 17

Anterior lip of the base of the sacrum

Question 18

Auricular surface of the sacrum

Answer 18

Articulates with the ilium

Question 19

Sacral canal

Answer 19

Passes inferiorly through the sacrum and connects to the sacral foramina.

Question 20

Coccyx

Answer 20

4 fused very small vertebrae.

Question 21

Intervertebral disc thickness

Answer 21

Thicker towards the base of the spine. Account for 25% of the total height of the spine.

Question 22

Components of the intervertebral disc

Answer 22

Annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus.

Question 23

Nucleus pulposus with age

Answer 23

As it is water-based, it dries out and shrinks.

Question 24

What happens when the nucleus pulposus pushes out posteriorly?

Answer 24

It can compress the spinal nerves and cause sciatica.

Question 25

Which vertebral discs usually cause sciatica?

Answer 25

L4/L5 and L5/S1

Question 26

Zygopophyseal joints

Answer 26

Joints between the superior and inferior articular processes of vertebrae.

Question 27

Movement of zygopophyseal joints

Answer 27

Are plane/gliding joints with limited mobility.

Question 28

Movements allowed by the cervical spine

Answer 28

Flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation.

Question 29

Movements allowed by the thoracic spine

Answer 29

Overalpping spinous processes and the rib cage limit flexion, extension and lateral flexion.

Question 30

Movements allowed by the lumbar spine

Answer 30

Limited rotation, but can move otherwise.

Question 31

Movements allowed by the atlanto-occipital joint

Answer 31

Flexion and extension.

Question 32

Articulations of the atlanto-axial joint

Answer 32

Dens and the anterior arch of the atlas, righ and left articular processes.

Question 33

Functions of the intervertebral discs

Answer 33

Shock absorption, flexibility, creating lordotic curve, height.

Question 34

Ligaments of the cervical spine

Answer 34

Anterior and posteior longitudinal ligaments, ligamentum flava, ligamentum nuchae, intertransverse ligaments and interspinous ligaments

Question 35

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 35

Attahced to the vertebral bodies along the entire anterior spine from occiput to sacrum. Taut during extension.

Question 36

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 36

Attaches to the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs. Wider over the discs and narrower over the vertebra. Runs occiput to sacrum and is taut during flexion.

Question 37

Ligamentum flava

Answer 37

Segmental ligament which attaches to the inner aspect of the lamina. Contains the most elastic fibers of all ligaments. Always taut, but most taut during flexion.

Question 38

Ligamentum nuchae

Answer 38

Attaches tot he nuchal line of the occiput and the spinous processes of C1 to C6. Becomes the supraspinous ligament below C7. Resists excessive flexion

Question 39

Intertransverse ligaments

Answer 39

Segmental ligaments from transverse process to transcerse process. Taut during flexion and side bending.

Question 40

Interspinous ligaments

Answer 40

Segmental ligaments from the lateral aspects of spinous processe to spinous process. Taut during flexion and rotation.

Question 41

Borders of the sub-occipital triangle

Answer 41

Rectus capitis major, obliques capitis inferior and superior.

Question 42

Structures within the sub-occipital traingle

Answer 42

Vertebral artery and vein and the sub-occipital nerve