Vertebral column Flashcards
(23 cards)
Function of the vertebral column?
- Acts as a support to the head + neck.
- Provides posture in sitting and standing.
- Protects spinal cord.
Name the parts of the vertebral column?
- Cervical = 7 moveable
- Thoracic = 12 moveable
- Lumbar = 5 moveable
- Sacral = 5 fused
- Coccygeal = 4 fused
e.g. C5 and T10
Name the three spinal curves?
- Kyphosis = Curve at thoracic
- Lordosis = Curve at lordosis
- Scoliosis = Curve laterally
Identify a typical vertebra?
Process = boney projection Facet = Smooth boney surface.
- Body
- Pedicles
- Lamina
- Spinous process
- Transverse process
Describe the body of a vertebra?
- It transfers weight along the axis of vertebral column.
- Interconnected by ligaments.
(Big spongy part)
Describe the pedicles of a vertebra?
- The first part projecting from the body.
- Gaps between pedicles are intervertebral foramina.
Describe the lamina of a vertebra?
- Projects back from the pedicles.
- These are fused at the mid-line.
Describe the spinuous process of a vertebra?
-Projects posterior to the mid-line.
Describe the transverse processes of the vertebra?
- Project laterally on both sides (like little ears).
- Articulate with the ribs in the thoracic region.
Describe the articular processes of the vertebra?
- Arise from pedicles/laminae junction.
- Superior and inferior AP.
- Each has a polished surface called an articular FACET.
- Inferior AF of vertebrae articulates with the below superior AF.
Describe C1 the ‘atlas’?
- Ring shaped.
- Superior articular facets articulate with occipital condyles of the skull.
- Form atlanto-occipital joints.
- IAF with SAF of C2.
Describe C2 the ‘axis’?
- Has projection on upper of body.
- Held against anterior aspect of body of C1 by ligaments.
- SAF articulate with IAF of C1, IAF articulates with SAF of C3.
- Vertebral body articulates with VB of C3, forming the first interbertebral joint.
Desribe C7 - the vertebra prominens?
-Long spinous process which is used as a landmark as can be felt under the skin.
Describe the sacrum?
- 5 sacral segments fused in to one.
- The SA of 1st sacral articulates with IA of L5 forming the lumbosacral joint.
- IA of 5th articulates with base of coccyx forming the sacrococcygeal joint.
- Lateral aspect is auricular facet which articulates with the ilium forming sacroiliac joint.
Describe the coccyx?
- Between 3-5 fused, superior aspect is base.
- Articulates with the apex of the sacrum.
Describe the atlanto-occipital joint?
- Synovial ellipsoid joints.
- Superior articular facets of C1 and condyles of occipital bone.
Describe the median atlanto-axial joint?
- Synovial pivot joint.
- Odontoid process of C2 articulates with body of C1.
Describe the lateral atlanto-axial joint?
-The articulation between the inferior and superior surfaces.
Describe the facet (zygapophyseal) joints?
- Between superior and inferior facets!!
- Gliding movements.
Name the ligaments in the spine?
- Supraspinous; connects spinous processes.
- Interspinous; connects adjacent spinous processes.
- Intertransverse; connects adjacent transverse processes.
- Flavum; connects adjacent laminae.
Describe the intervertebral joints?
-Inferior and superior aspect of vertebral body.
Ligaments:
- anterior longitudinal; extends from occipital bone to sacrum.
- Posterior longitudinal; extends from body of C2 to sacrum.
Describe the costovertebral joints?
- Synovial plane joints.
- Articulates with head of the rib with costal facets on adjacent vertebrae.
- e.g. 1 st rib articulates with T1.
- Ligament from head of rib to body of vertebrae.
Describe the costotransverse joints?
- Synovial plane joints.
- Articulates with tubercle of the rib with transverse costal facet.
