Vertebral Column

Question 1

What are the structural units of the spinal column?

Answer 1

1. Vertebrae
2. Sacrum
3. Coccyx

Question 2

What are the four curvatures of the spine?

Answer 2

1. Cervical Lordosis
2. Thoracic Kyphosis
3. Lumbar Lordosis
4. Sacral Kyphosis

Question 3

What does Lordosis mean?

Answer 3

Extension of the spine

Question 4

What does Kyphosis mean?

Answer 4

Flexion of the spine

Question 5

What are the functions of the spinal curvature?

Answer 5

1. flexibility
2. support
3. protection
4. shock absorption

Question 6

Why is C1 special?

Answer 6

C1 is the atlas and has no vertebral body and spinous process

Question 7

Why is C2 special?

Answer 7

C2 is the axis and absorbs the C1 vertebral body to form the dens during development

Question 8

What is special about the cervical vertebral bodies on C3-C7?

Answer 8

They have an uncinate process (a hook shape)

Question 9

Why is C7 special?

Answer 9

It does not have a bifurcated spinous process like C3-C6

Question 10

Label the cervical vertebrae.

Answer 10

A. Spinous Process
B. Vertebral Foramen
C. Superior Articular Facet
D. Posterior Tubercle
E. Anterior Tubercle
F. Groove for Spinal Nerve
G. Body
H. Uncinate Process
I. Transverse Process
J. Transverse Foramen
K. Superior Articular Process
L. Lamina
M. Pedicle

Question 11

What are the five unique thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 11

T1
T9
T10
T11
T12

Question 12

Why are T1, and T9-T12 special?

Answer 12

They have superior/inferior rib demi-facets and they articulate with the ribs

Question 13

Label the thoracic vertebrae…

Answer 13

A. Body
B. Superior Costal Facet
C. Pedicle
D. Angle of Articular Facet
E. Transverse Costal Facet
F. Lamina
G. Spinous Process
H. Superior Articular Facet
I. Superior Vertebral Notch
J. Vertebral Foramen
K. Transverse Process
L. Inferior Articular Process
M. Inferior Vertebral Notch
N. Inferior Costal Facet

Question 14

Which vertebrae has the largest vertebral body?

Answer 14

Lumbar

Question 15

What is special about the lumbar vertebrae osteology?

Answer 15

• The superior/ inferior articular processes have a mammillary process
• The transverse process has an accessory process

Question 16

Label the lumbar vertebrae…

Answer 16

A. Vertebral Body
B. Superior Articular Facet
C. Superior Articular Process
D. Mammillary Process
E. Spinous Process
F. Lamina
G. Accessory Process
H. Transverse Process
I. Pedicle
J. Vertebral Foramen

Question 17

What attaches the the dorsal surface of the sacrum?

Answer 17

Multifidi

Question 18

What attaches to the ventral surface of the sacrum?

Answer 18

Piriformis

Question 19

What is the sacral foramina used for?

Answer 19

It is an exit of dorsal and ventral rami of spinal nerves

Question 20

Label the sacrum…

Answer 20

A. Coccyx
B. Coccygeal Cornu
C. Sacrul Hiatus
D. Sacrul Cornu
E. Median Sacral Crest
F. Lateral Sacral Crest
G. Sacral Foramina
H. Sacral Tuberosity
I. Entrance to Sacral Canal
J. Articular Process
K. Sacral Curve
L. Articular Surface
M. Sacral Promontory
N. Base
O. Transverse Lines
P. Apex
Q. Ala

Question 21

The atlanto-occipital joint attaches in what two places?

Answer 21

1. Superior articular facet
2. Occipital condyle

Question 22

The atlanto-occipital joint helps produce what motion?

Answer 22

“YES”

Question 23

The atlanto-odontoid joint attaches in what two places?

Answer 23

1. Transverse ligament of the atlas
2. Dens of axis

Question 24

The atlanto-odontoid joint helps produce what motion?

Answer 24

“NO”

Question 25

The atlanto-axial joint attaches in what two places?

Answer 25

1. Inferior articular facet of atlas 2. Superior articular facet of axis

Question 26

Does the atlanto-axial joint have a disc?

Answer 26

NO

Question 27

What is between vertebral bodies in the cervical spine?

Answer 27

Intervertebral discs; uncovertebral joints (synovial lined structure between the uncinate process)

Question 28

How are the disc named?

Answer 28

According to the superior vertebra - Example: C4 disk is between C4 and C5

Question 29

Where is your anatomical landmark for counting cervical vertebrae?

Answer 29

The Dens

Question 30

What is the difference between a T1 image and a T2 image?

Answer 30

T1 - Fat is white (subcutaneous tissue) T2 - Fat and water are white

Question 31

What section of the spine has the thinnest disc?

Answer 31

Thorascic

Question 32

Costovertebral Joints articulate with ____.

Answer 32

The ribs and are found in the thoracic region

Question 33

Costotransverse joints articulate with ____.

Answer 33

Rib tubercles and are found in the thoracic region

Question 34

When counting thoracic vertebrae on an image where do you have to start?

Answer 34

The dens of C2

Question 35

What part of the spine has the thickest disc?

Answer 35

The lumbar

Question 36

When counting lumbar vertebrae on a scan where do you start?

Answer 36

From the lowest rub counting down - in 10% of the population that is L6

Question 37

L5/L6 inferior articular facets and superior articular facets of the sacrum make what kind of joint?

Answer 37

Facet joint

Question 38

Describe the structure of the Anterior Longitudinal Ligament...

Answer 38

Broad caudally and narrow cranially

Question 39

Describe the structure of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament...

Answer 39

Narrow caudally and broad cranially

Question 40

What does a narrow caudal PPL cause?

Answer 40

lumbar disc herniation

Question 41

What is the purpose of the intervertebral foramen?

Answer 41

For spinal nerves to exit, eliminates the need for a pedicle

Question 42

The spinous process has the supraspinous ligament and the interspinous ligament, where do they sit in relation to one another?

Answer 42

Interspinous ligament is deep to the supraspinous ligament

Question 43

What ligament is attached to the lamina?

Answer 43

Ligamentum Flavum

Question 44

What ligament is attached to the transverse process?

Answer 44

Intertransverse Ligament

Question 45

The cervical region has what special membrane?

Answer 45

Tectorial membrane: specialized posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical region

Question 46

What structures are anterior/deep to the tectorial membrane?

Answer 46

1. Transverse Ligament of the Atlas 2. Apical Ligament 3. Alar Ligament

Question 47

What Ligament runs from C6 to the external occipital protuberance?

Answer 47

Ligament Nuchae (supraspinous ligament)

Question 48

What makes up a functional spinal unit?

Answer 48

Adjacent two vertebrae and 3 joints

Question 49

What is in the anterior column of a functional spinal unit?

Answer 49

The vertebral bodies and intervertebral disc

Question 50

The anterior column of the spine aids in ______ of motion.

Answer 50

degrees; accept in the cervical region

Question 51

The anterior column of the spine withholds _____% of stress along the spine.

Answer 51

70

Question 52

What is in the anterior column of a functional spinal unit?

Answer 52

Arch - Facet joints - inferior/ superior articular processes

Question 53

The posterior column of the spine aids in _____ of motion.

Answer 53

types

Question 54

The posterior column of the spine withholds ____% of stress along the spine.

Answer 54

30