Vertebral Column Flashcards
(36 cards)
How many of each vertebrae are there
7C, 12T, 5L, 5S (fused into one sacrum) and 4Co (fused into one coccyx).
What is the function of the vertebrae? How does it achieve this function?
Function is to project weight onto lower limb, attachment of bones and muscles, shock absorption, protection and maintains centre of gravity. Column gets larger as you move down to help support the compression forces that get larger.
What movement are the spine capable of?
Movements of the the spine are rotation, flexion, extension and lateral flexion.
Why is the sacrococcygeal wider than the rest of the vertebrae?
Sacrococcygeal is widened to help spread the weight of the pelvis.
What important function relating to the thoracic cage does the vertebrae do?
The vertebrae holds the thoracic cage upwards preventing it from collapsing into the abdomen.
Describe the structures of a vertebrae
Vertebrae are split into the vertebral body and vertebral arch; the vertebral foramen is the hole in-between them whilst the intervertebral foramen are the holes between two adjoining vertebrae (alone they are called superior and inferior intervertebral notches. The vertebral arch contains the spinous process, two articular processes and 4 articular processes (zygapophyses) which lock into place with vertebrae above and below preventing them from sliding over each other, the orientation of these zygapophyses determines how much flexion and extension can take place. They interlock via synovial joints sometimes called facet joints.
Which type of cartilage lines the articular joints of the vertebrae.
The articular surfaces of the vertebral body are lined by hyaline cartilage and they bare most of the weight.
Where is the most common place for a slipped disc to occur?
Slipped disc – occurs most commonly at L4/L5 and L4/S1 junction.
What is the process leading up to a herniation?
Disc degeneration (weakening of annulus fibrosis due to age), Prolapse – protrusion of the nucleus pulposus, Extrusion – nucleus pulposus breaks through the annulus fibrosis, sequestration nucleus pulposus escapes the disc space and impinges on the spinal cord.
Which direction does a disc usually herniate in and how doesits direction effect the severity of the situation?
Usually herniates posterolaterally compressing nerve roots, rarely herniates posteriorly – medical emergency.
What casues the degeneration of the discs and the pain as it degenerates?
Degeneration due to age and dehydration causes a decrease in height between the vertebrae, this extra stress and pressure causes marginal osteophyotsis, also the increased pressure causes pain at facet joints and compression of intervertebral foramen causes pain at spinal roots.
What is Cervical Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis results from degenerative osteoarthritis resulting in osteophyte formation putting pressure on nerve roots resulting in radiculopathy (pain and parasthesia limited to one dermamyotome), or myelopathy (effecting the body globally due to damage to spinal cord).
Describe a cervical vertebrae
Cervical vertebrae – smallest, bifit spinous process, transverse foramen and triangular vertebral foramen.
Describe a thoracic vertebrae
Thoracic vertebrae – demi and costal facets for attachment of the ribs, vertebral foramen is small and circular.
Describe a lumbar vertebrae
. Lumbar vertebrae – largest of the individual vertebrae, large body and small triangular vertebral foramen.
Describe the Sacrum and coccyx
Sacrum and coccyx fused into one with sacral foramina, sacral canal and sacral hiatus.
Describe C1 (atlas)
C1 – atlas, allows for nodding movement by articulating with occiput bone and contains no vertebral body or spinous process.
Describe C2 (axis)
C2 – axis, has a large spinous process and allows for shaking of head as it contains the vertebral body of atlas (dens) and a transverse ligament.
Describe C7 (vertebrae prominens)
C7 – vertebrae prominens has a very large spinous process (the first visible one on people’s back).
What is a hangman’s fracture?
Hangman’s fracture – hyperextension resulting in fracture of the C2 pedicles and a forward displacement of C1 and C2’s body onto C3.
When is a peg fracture?
Peg fracture occurs due a large force at the back of the head resulting in the dens being fractured.
What is a Jefferson’s fracture?
Jefferson’s fracture – high axial load resulting in a 4-way fracture of the atlas into 4 parts at the posterior and anterior arches.
What is whiplash injury and how is our body evolved to protect ourselves from this?
Whiplash injury occurs when the cervical vertebrae slide over each other and impinge on the spinal cord then spring back into place – cervical vertebrae very mobile. The large foramen adds some sort of protection from this.
Describe the general structure of our intervertebral discs.
Intervertebral discs have a very high water content that keeps it turgid, they have a slight wedge shape to account for the secondary curvature of the spine.
