vertebral column

Question 1

how many vertebrae are in the vertebral column

Answer 1

33

Question 2

what are vertebrae separated by

Answer 2

fibrocartilaginous intervertebral discus (IV discs)

Question 3

name the types of vertebra going down the spine and how many are there in each category

Answer 3

1) cervical vertebrae (neck) - 7
2) thoracic vertebrae (thorax) - 12
3) lumbar vertebrae (loin) - 5
4) sacrum - 5
5) coccyx - 4/5

Question 4

what are the four ventrodorsal curves of the vertebral column

Answer 4

two kyphosis - 6.1 (thoracic) and 6.2 ( sacral)
two lordosis - 7.1 (cervical) and 7.2 (lumbar)

Question 5

what are primary curvatures

Answer 5

• kyphotic curves
• present during fetal development
• curving outwards
• thoracic curvature - T1 - T12
• sacrococcygeal curvature

Question 6

what are secondary curvatures

Answer 6

• begin from postpartum
• curving inwards
• cervical - C1 - C7
• lumbar - L1- L5

Question 7

what is scoliosis

Answer 7

• sideways curve
• often S or C shaped

Question 8

what causes scoliosis

Answer 8

• improper posture from muscular or skeletal abnormalities

Question 9

what is the function of the vertebral column

Answer 9

support
movement
protection
axis

Question 10

what are the principal movements of the vertebral column

Answer 10

• flexion
• extension
• lateral flexion
• rotation

Question 11

what are the 2 parts of a vertebra

Answer 11

body - largest and heaviest, gives strength to the spine and increases size down the spine
vertebral arch - later and posterior of vertebra

Question 12

what does the vertebral arch consist of

Answer 12

• two pedicles
• two lamina

Question 13

what surrounds the body and vertebral arch

Answer 13

vertebral foramen

Question 14

what does the foramina of all the vertebrae line up to form

Answer 14

vertebral canal

Question 15

what separates adjacent vertebral bodies

Answer 15

intervertebral discs

Question 16

what do the pedicles of the vertebral arch do

Answer 16

join the posterolateral surface of the body and the lamina

Question 17

what are the 7 vertebral projections

Answer 17

1 spinous process
2 transverse processes
4 articular processes - 2 superior and 2 inferior

Question 18

what are spinal processes

Answer 18

directed posteriorly and from union of the lamina

Question 19

what are lamina

Answer 19

plates extended posteriorly and medially from the pedicle and unite at the midline

Question 20

what are transverse processes

Answer 20

extend posterolaterally from the pedicles and laminae

Question 21

what are superior articular processes

Answer 21

project superiorly from the pedicles and laminae

Question 22

what are inferior articular processes

Answer 22

project superiorly from the pedicles and laminae

Question 23

what do the superior and inferior articular processes allow

Answer 23

articulation with adjacent vertebrae via articular facets

Question 24

what forms a zygapophysial joint

Answer 24

inferior articular process of the top vertebra comes in contact with the superior articular process of the bottom vertebrae

Question 25

what is the function of zygapophysical joints

Answer 25

helps keep vertebrae properly aligned allows movement of vertebral bodies

Question 26

what are the typical cervical vertebrae

Answer 26

C3 C4 C5 C6

Question 27

what are the characteristics of typical cervical vertebrae

Answer 27

- small body - foramen large and triangular to accommodate cervical enlargement of spinal cord - spinous process is short and bifid

Question 28

what do transverse processes contain

Answer 28

transverse foramen that allow vertebral artery and vein passage

Question 29

what is the function of anterior and posterior tubercles

Answer 29

attachment site for levator scapulae and scalene muscles

Question 30

what is C1 vertebrae called

Answer 30

the atlas

Question 31

what is special about C1

Answer 31

- no vertebral body - paired lateral masses instead - no spinous process - widest C vertebrae

Question 32

what does each lateral mass contain

Answer 32

- superior articular facet and inferior articular facet

Question 33

what is the C2 vertebrae called

Answer 33

the axis

Question 34

why is C2 easily identifiable

Answer 34

dens - odontoid process which extends superiorly from the anterior portion of the vertebra

Question 35

what does the dens articulates with anterior arch of the atlas form

Answer 35

medial Atlanto axial joint rotation of the head independently from the torso

Question 36

what are the 3 joints between the atlas and the axis

Answer 36

1 median atlantoaxial joint 2 lateral atlantoxial joint

Question 37

what is the C7 vertebrae called

Answer 37

vertebra prominens

Question 38

what are the features of C7 vertebrae

Answer 38

- thick, long and nearly horizontal - foramen transversarium is small

Question 39

what are the typical thoracic vertebrae

Answer 39

T2 - T11

Question 40

what are the atypical thoracic vertebrae

Answer 40

T1 and T12

Question 41

what are the key features of typical thoracic vertebrae

Answer 41

- heart shaped - demi-lacets on the sides of each body - costal facets on the transverse processes - spinous processes are long and slant inferiorly

Question 42

what are the features of T1 vertebrae

Answer 42

long spinous process complete costal facet which articulates with 1st rib

Question 43

what movements is T12 able to do

Answer 43

flexion and extension but not rotation

Question 44

what is the most commonly fractured vertebrae

Answer 44

T12 - subject to increased transitional stress

Question 45

what are the features of the lumbar vertebrae

Answer 45

- big and thick - kidney shaped - vertebral foramen is triangular - no transverse foramen - transverse processes are long and slender - articular processes have nearly vertical facets - spinous processes are short and broad

Question 46

what extra processes do lumbar vertebrae have

Answer 46

accessory processes - posterior aspect of base on each transverse process mammillary processes - found on posterior surface of each superior articular process

Question 47

what is the function of accessory processes and mammillary processes

Answer 47

attachment for deep back muscles

Question 48

what is the atypical lumbar vertebrae and what is its features

Answer 48

- L5 - largest body and transverse processes - carriers the weight of entire upper body - taller anteriorly - L5- S1 joint allows for flexion, extension and some lateral flexion