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Kin 110 > Vertebral Column > Flashcards

Vertebral Column Flashcards

1
Q

What is the vertebral column?

A

Structure that extends from cranium to apex of coccyx, that forms the skeleton of neck and back and is the main part of axial skeleton

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2
Q

What is the function of the vertebral column?

A
  • Protect spinal cord and spinal nerves
  • Support weight of body superior to the pelvis
  • Provide a partly rigid and flexible axis for the body + pivot for the head
  • Important role in posture and locomotion
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3
Q

How many vertebrae constitute the vertebral column and how are they separated?

A

33; separated into 5 regions (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 4 coccygeal)

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4
Q

Why do vertebrae become progressively larger and where do they reach max.size?

A

Successive vertebrae bear increasing amounts of body’s weight; reach max.size superior to sacrum

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5
Q

Which are the main structures where the VC articulates?

A

Vertebrae are joined by semirigid IV discs and also articulate at “zygapophysial joints” (25)

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6
Q

Which are the two types of curvatures in the VC?

A

Primary (kyphoses): thoracic and sacral
Secondary (lordoses): cervical and lumbar

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7
Q

How are primary curvatures shaped and why?

A

Concave anteriorly; kept like that because of the difference in height within the vertebral bodies (posterior higher than anterior)

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8
Q

How are secondary curvatures shaped and why?

A

Concave posteriorly; kept like that because of the difference in thickness of IV disc (thicker anteriorly)

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9
Q

When does the cervical curvature become evident?

A

Infant begins to hold head erect

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10
Q

When does the lumbar curvature become evident?

A

When assume an upright posture and start to walk

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11
Q

What are the vertebral bodies?

A

Anterior more massive part of vertebrae that give strength to VC and support body weight

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12
Q

All of the superior and inferior surfaces of the vertebral body are covered by hyaline cartilage. True or false?

A

False. Superior and inferior surfaces are covered by hyaline cartilage, but at the periphery there is a ring of smooth bone “epiphysial rim”

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13
Q

What are the vertebral arches?

A

Posterior projections from the vertebral body, formed by pedicles and laminae

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14
Q

What are the pedicles?

A

Two short, stout processes that that join the vertebral arch to vertebral body; project posteriorly and meet with the laminae

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15
Q

What are the laminae?

A

Two broad, flat plates of bone that unite in the midline

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16
Q

What are the vertebral foramen’s walls made out of?

A

Opening made by the vertebral arch and posterior surface of vertebral body

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17
Q

What is the vertebral canal

A

Succession of vertebral foramina in the articulated column

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18
Q

What are the vertebral notches?

A

Indentations formed by projection of the body and the articular processes inferior and superior to pedicles

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19
Q

How are IV foramina formed?

A

By the combination of the superior and inferior vertebral notches of adjacent vertebrae; they give passage to spinal nerve roots

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20
Q

Which are the processes that arise from the vertebral arch how many are there of each type?

A

One median process
Two transverse processes
Four articular processes (2 superior and 2 inferior)

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21
Q

How does the median process project and where does it arise from?

A

Posteriorly (usually inferiorly); arises from the vertebral arch at the junction of laminae

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22
Q

How do the transverse processes project and where do they arise from?

A

Posterolaterally from vertebral arch at the junction of pedicles and laminae

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23
Q

How do the articular processes project and where do they arise from?

A

Superiorly and inferiorly from junction of pedicles and laminae

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24
Q

How are the articular facets related to the movement among vertebrae?

A

Direction of articular facets determines the type and range of movement permitted and restricted between adjacent vertebrae

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25
Q

How do articular processes articulate with each other and how are these joints formed?

A

Through zygapophysial joints; these are synovial plane joints formed by superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae, placed in apposition

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26
Q

What are the characteristics of the vertebral body of cervical vertebrae?

A
  • Small and wider from side to side than anteroposteriorly
  • Superior surface is concave between adjacent (uncinate) processes
  • Inferior surface is convex
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27
Q

What are the characteristics of the vertebral foramen of cervical vertebrae?

A

Large and triangular

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28
Q

What are the characteristics of the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae?

A
  • Foramina transversaria (small/absent in C7)
  • Anterior and posterior tubercles
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29
Q

What are the characteristics of the articular processes of cervical vertebrae?

A
  • Superior facets directed superoposteriorly
  • Inferior facets directed infero-anteriorly
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30
Q

What are the characteristics of the spinous processes of cervical vertebrae?

A
  • C3-5 short and bifid
  • C6 long, but C7 longer (vertebra prominens)
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31
Q

What are the distinctive characteristics of the atlas (C1)?

A
  • No spinous process or body; consists of lateral masses connected by anterior and posterior arches
  • Concave superior articular facets form atlanto-occipital joints with occipital condyles
  • Flat inferior facets meet with C2 to form lateral atlanto-axial joints
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32
Q

What are the distinctive characteristics of the axis (C2)?

A
  • Strongest cervical vertebrae
  • Dens (projects superiorly from body; provides a pivot where atlas turns and carries the cranium)
  • Articulates anteriorly with anterior arch and posteriorly with transverse ligament of atlas
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33
Q

What are the characteristics of the vertebral body of thoracic vertebrae?

A
  • Bears 1 or 2 bilateral costal facets for articulation w/head of rib
34
Q

What are the characteristics of the transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae?

A
  • Long and strong
  • Length diminishes T1-T12
  • Extends posterolaterally
  • T1-T10 → transverse costal facets (articulation tubercle of rib)
35
Q

What are the characteristics of the vertebral foramen of thoracic vertebrae?

A

Circular and smaller than those in C and L regions

36
Q

What are the characteristics of the articular processes of thoracic vertebrae?

A
  • Superior articular facets are directed posteriorly and slightly laterally
  • Inferior articular facets directed anteriorly slightly medially
37
Q

What are the characteristics of the spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae?

A
  • Long
  • Slope postero-inferiorly
  • Overlap subadjacent vertebral body
38
Q

What are the characteristics of the vertebral body of lumbar vertebrae?

A
  • Massive → kidney-shaped (superiorly)
  • Larger and heavier than other regions
39
Q

What are the characteristics of the vertebral foramen of lumbar vertebrae?

A
  • Triangular
  • Larger than thoracic and smaller than cervical
40
Q

What are the characteristics of the transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae?

A
  • Long and slender
  • Accessory process on posterior surface of base of each process
41
Q

What are the characteristics of the articular processes of lumbar vertebrae?

A
  • Superior articular facets directed posteromedially (or medially)
  • Inferior articular facets directed anterolaterally (or laterally)
  • Mammilary process on posterior surface e/superior process
42
Q

What are the characteristics of the spinous processes of lumbar vertebrae?

A
  • Short and sturdy
  • Hatched-shaped
43
Q

How do vertebral bodies articulate with adjacent ones?

A

Through symphyses; articulating surfaces of adjacent vertebrae are connected by IV discs and ligaments

44
Q

Function of IV dics

A
  • Provide strong attachments between vertebral bodies
  • Permit movement between adjacent vertebrae
  • Weight bearing and strength
  • Shock absorbers
45
Q

What are IV discs composed of?

A

Anulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposis

46
Q

What is the anulus fibrosis composed of and what feature does it have?

A

Ring of concentric lamellae of fibrocartilage, run obliquely from one vertebra to another and at right angles to those adjacent ones

47
Q

Where do the anuli insert into?

A

Epiphysial rims in articular surface of vertebral bodies

48
Q

What is the nucleus pulposus and where are the most inferior and superior functional ones?

A

Core of IV, paced more posteriorly than centrally (lamellae are thinner and less numerous posteriorly)
- L5 - S1
- No IV disc between atlas and axis

49
Q

What happens with the anulus and nucleus when we age?

A
  • Anulus: thickens and develops fissures and cavities
  • Nucleus: become dry and granular, resulting in the loose of turgor, become thin, stiffer, more resistant to deformation
50
Q

Where are uncovertebral joints located?

A

At lateral and posterolateral margins of IV discs, between uncus of bodies of C3-C6 and beveled inferolateral surfaces of vertebral bodies superior to them

51
Q

What is the main function of the joint capsule that surrounds the zygapophysial joints and where do these attach?

A
  • Extension: attached to margins of articular surfaces of articular processes of adjacent vertebrae
  • Function: permit gliding movements between articular processes
52
Q

Where is the atlanto-occipital joint located?

A

Between the lateral masses of C1 and occipital condyles

53
Q

Which movement does the atlanto-occipital joint allow?

A

Neck flexion and extension; little lateral flexion; some rotation

54
Q

What type of joint is the atlanto-occipital joint?

A

Synovial condyloid type

55
Q

What is the main function of the posterior and anterior atlanto-occipital membranes and where do these attach?

A
  • Extension: anterior and posterior arches of atlas to the anterior and posterior margins of foramen magnum
  • Function: limits flexion (posterior) and extension(anterior) of the joint)
56
Q

How many atlanto-axial joints do we have and which are these?

A

3 (2 lateral atlanto-axial and one median atlanto-axial)

57
Q

What type of joint are the lateral atlanto-axial joints and where are they located?

A
  • Type: Plane-type of synovial
  • Location: Between lateral masses of C1 and superior facets of C2
58
Q

What type of joint is the median atlanto-axial joints and where are they located?

A
  • Type: pivot
  • Location: Between the dens of C2 and anterior arch and transverse ligament of atlas
59
Q

What are the movements allowed by the atlanto-axial joints? Explain how these occur

A

Movement at all three permit lateral and medial rotation of the head.
- C1 and cranium rotate on C2 as a unit; the dens is the pivot held in a socket formed by anterior arch and the transverse ligament posteriorly

60
Q

What does the anterior longitudinal ligament do and where is it located?

A
  • Function: maintains stability of IV joints and limits extension of VC
  • Location: covers and connects anterolateral aspect of vertebral bodies and IV discs
  • Extension: pelvic surface of sacrum - anterior tubercle of C1 and occipital bone, anterior to foramen magnum
61
Q

What does the posterior longitudinal ligament do and where is it located?

A
  • Function: limits flexion of the VC and prevents herniation of IV discs
  • Location: runs within the vertebral canal along posterior aspect of vertebral bodies; mainly attached to IV discs and less so to posterior aspect of vertebral bodies
  • Extension: occiput - sacrum
62
Q

What does the ligamenta flava do and where is it located?

A
  • Function: limit flexion of VC
    - Preserve posture
    - Assists with straightening the column after
    flexing
    • Prevent injury of IV discs by
      resisting separation of the vertebral
      laminae, by arresting abrupt flexion of VC
  • Location: from inferior surface of superior laminae to superior surface of inferior laminae of adjacent vertebral arches, form alternating sections of posterior wall of vertebral canal
  • Extension: C2 - Sacrum
63
Q

What do interspinous ligaments do and where are these located?

A
  • Function: limit flexion of thoracic and lumbar IV joints by preventing separation of spinous processes
  • Location: attaches the bodies of spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae
  • Extension: C2-S1
64
Q

What do supraspinous ligaments do and where are these located?

A
  • Function: limit flexion of thoracic and lumbar IV joints (same as interspinous)
  • Location: attaches the tips of the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae
  • Extension: C7-L3/4 (merges superiorly with nuchal ligament, meaning that it doesn’t attach the tips of the cervical spinous processes, but it extends all the way up to the external occipital protuberance)
65
Q

What is the function of the nuchal ligament and where is this located?

A
  • Function: help maintain upright position of head, limit forward flexion of head and cervical spine
  • Location: posterior to spinous processes of cervical vertebrae and anterior to the lining supraspinous ligament
  • Extension: external occipital protuberance and posterior border of foramen magnum - C7 spinous process
65
Q

What does the transverse ligament of the atlas do and where is this located?

A
  • Function: prevent anterior displacement of C1 over C2
  • Location: posterior to dens, in between the lateral masses of C1
  • Extension: between the tubercles on the medial aspect of lateral masses of C1
66
Q

What do the longitudinal bands do and and where are these located?

A

-Function: keep the transverse ligament in a relatively fixed location
-Location: superiorly and inferiorly to the transverse ligament
-Extension: from transverse ligament to occipital bone (superior) and the body of C2 (inferior)

67
Q

What do alar ligaments do and where are these located?

A
  • Function: attach cranium to C2 and tension limits rotation to ipsilateral sides, limit movement to contralateral side for lateral bending
  • Location: project superolaterally from the dens
  • Extension: extend from the sides of the dens to the lateral sides of the foramen magnum
68
Q

What does the tectorial membrane do and where is this located?

A
  • Function: limits flexion of cervical vertebrae
  • Location: superior continuation of posterior longitudinal ligament, across the median atlanto-axial joint through the foramen magnum
  • Extension: from the body of C2 to internal surface of occipital bone
69
Q

What do intertransverse ligaments do and where are these located?

A
  • Function: limit lateral flexion of spine
  • Location: extend from the tips of adjacent transverse processes
70
Q

What is the function of the anterior and posterior atlanto-occipital membranes and where are these located?

A
  • Function: limit extension and flexion (respectively) of cranium
  • Location: extend superiorly from anterior and posterior arches of C1 to the corresponding margins of foramen magnum
71
Q

What are the apical ligaments of the dens and where are these located?

A
  • Function: Stability to position of dens
  • Location: joins apex of dens to anterior margin of foramen magnum
72
Q

Movements of the vertebral column

A

Flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation

73
Q

Where does the movement between adjacent vertebrae occur?

A

IV discs and zygapophysial joints

74
Q

Movements of cervical region

A

Flexion - extension, lateral flexion, and rotation

75
Q

Why is flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation of the neck especially free?

A
  • IV dics, although thin compared to others are thick relative to small size of vertebral bodies
  • Articular surfaces of zygapophysial joints large and joint planes almost horizontal
  • Joint capsules of zygapophysial joints are loose
  • Neck is relatively slender
76
Q

Movements of thoracic region

A

Lateral flexion and rotation

77
Q

Why is movements restricted in the thoracic region?

A
  • IV dics thin relative to size of vertebral bodies
  • Stability conferred → connection to sternum (ribs + costal cartilages)
  • Joint planes → lie on and arch centered on vertebral body → allow rotation
  • Flexion & lateral flexion limitted
78
Q

Movements of lumbar region

A

Flexion-extension and lateral flexion

79
Q

Why are these movements allowed in the lumbar region?

A
  • Lumbar region conductive to flexion and extension → sagitally oriented joint planes
  • Extension most marked in lumbar region (more extensive flexion)
  • Interlocking articular processes prevent rotation
  • Lateral flexion greatest
80
Q

Where is the hyoid bone located?

A

Anterior part of neck at level of C3 at the angle between mandible and thyroid cartilage

81
Q

What is the function of the hyoid bone?

A

Prop to keep airway open

Kin 110 (10 decks)

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