Vertebral Column Flashcards
(28 cards)
What structure allows C1 to pivot on C2?
Dens/odontoid process
What sends information from periphery to the CNS?
Afferent nerves
What sends information from the CNS to the periphery?
Efferent nerves
What is the nerve from C1 called?
Suboccipital nerve
Where do the nerves exit the vertebral column?
Under the pedicles
The vertebral arch is made up of what bony structures?
Lamina and pedicles
What is the gap where the spinal cord sits called?
Intervertebral foramen
What is a facet joint?
Articulation between the superior and inferior articular facets
What is a zygapophyseal joint?
Facet joint
What movements do the cervical facet joints allow?
Flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation
What angle are the cervical facet joints at?
45
What movements do the thoracic facet joints allow?
Lateral flexion and rotation
What angle are the thoracic facet joints at?
60
What movements do the lumbar facet joints allow?
Flexion and extension
What angle are the lumbar facet joints at?
90
What structures stabilise the vertebral column? (6)
Facet joint capsule, posterior longitudinal ligament, ligamentum flavum, interspinous ligament, supraspinous ligament, anterior longitudinal ligament
What nerve supplies the facet joint?
Median branch of the dorsal rami
What 2 structures make up the intervertebral discs?
Annulus and nucleus
What is the role of the disc nucleus?
Distributes pressure
Interspinous ligament
Connect the apices of each spinous process - not continuous
Intertransverse ligament
Connect the transverse processes of each verterbrae
Supraspinous ligament
Connect the apices of the spinous processes from C7-L3/4 - continuous
At what level does the supraspinous ligament become continuous with the nuachal ligament?
C7
What is the role of the transverse processes?
Muscle attachment sites
