Vertebral Column Flashcards
Vertebral Column Articulations
- Atlanto-occipital articulation
- Atlanto-axial articulation
- Vertebral Bodies
- Zygapophysial (facet) joints
- Costovertebral Articulation
- Costotransverse Articulation
- Lumbosacral articulation
- Sacroiliac Articulation
- Sacrococcygeal articulation
Vertebral Column Bones
33 bones
- 7 cervical
- 12 thoracic
- 5 Lumbar
- 5 Sacral (Fused)
- 3-4 Coccygeal (Fused)
Vertebra vs. Vertebrae
Vertebra - Singular
Vertebrae - Plural
Primary Spinal curvatures
- Thoracic
- Sacral/coccygeal
Secondary spinal Curvatures
- Cervical
- Lumbar
Features of A Typical Vertebra
- Vertebral Body
- 2 pedicles
- 2 lamina
- 2 Transverse Process
- Spinous Process
- Superior Articulating facets
- Inferior Articulating facets
- Vertebral Canal
- Superior Vertebral Notches
- Inferior Vertebral Notches
Typical Cervical Vertebrae
- 7 Cervical vertebrae
- Transverse foramina
- Anterior and Posterior Tubercles
- Bifid Spinous process
- Vertebral Foramen is large/triangular
- Superior Facets face Superior/Posterior
- Inferior Facets face Inferior/Anterior
Foramen vs. Foramina
Foramen (Singular)
Foramina (Plural)
Typical Lumbar Vertebrae
- 5 Lumbar Vertebrae
- Massive Bodies
- Vertebral Foramen is triangular
- Blunt processes
- Mammillary Process
- Superior facets face posterior/Medial
- Inferior Facets face anterior/lateral
Typical Thoracic Vertebrae
- 12 thoracic Vertebrae
- Costal facets on body and transverse processes
- Vertebral Foramen is smaller and circular
- Superior facets face mainly posterior and slightly lateral
- Inferior facets face mainly anterior/ slightly medial
Typical Sacrum and Coccyx
- 5 Sacral vertebrae
- 3-4 Coccygeal Vertebrae
- Decrease in size
Atypical Vertebrae
- C1 (Atlas): No body (superior articulating facets with occipital bone
- C2 (Axis): Dens (Axis for turning the head side to side)
- C7: Vertebra Prominens (long spinous process - easy to palpate)
- T1: Complete superior costal facet and inferior demifacet
- T10-T12: Largest, wedge shaped body (taller Anteriorly)
Atlanto-Occipital Articulation
Bones: Atlas and Occipital Bone
Classification: Synovial; Condyloid
Movements: Flexion/Extension (Nodding “yes”); Slight lateral flexion, tilting of the head
Atlanto-Occipital Joint ligaments
Anterior Atlanto-Occipital Membrane: Runs from anterior arch of C1 to anterior margin of foramen magnum
Posterior Atlanto-Occipital Membrane: Runs from posterior arch of C1 to posterior margin of Foramen magnum
Atlanto-Axial Articulation
Bones: Atlas (C1) and Axis (C2)
Classification: Synovial; Median Joint (dens with Atlas) - Pivot; Lateral joints (inferior Facets of C1 with superior facets of C2) - Gliding
Movements: Rotation; Shaking head “no”
Atlanto-Axial Joint ligaments
- Alar Ligament: Runs from both sides of the dens to lateral margins of foramen magnum. Checks rotation.
- Tectorial Membrane: Continuation of posterior longitudinal ligament. Runs from body of C2 to internal surface of foramen magnum
- Cruciate Ligament: Transverse Ligament of Atlas: Between medial aspects of C1 lateral mass (holds Dens in place); Superior/inferior longitudinal bands: both extend from transverse ligament, superior band to occipital bone and inferior band to body of C2
Vertebral Bodies (“joint”)
Bones/Structures involved: Vertebral bodies, intervertebral (IV) discs, layer of hyaline cartilage superior and inferior to IV Disc (No IV between C1 and C2)
Classification: Symphysis
Intervertebral Discs
Annulus Fibrosus: Lamellae of fibrocartilage arranged for strength, thinner posteriorly
Nucleus Puplosus: Mainly water and gelatinous in nature; Avascular receiving nutrition via diffusion from blood vessels at periphery of annulus fibrosus; Absorbs compression forces between vertebrae
Zygapophysial joints (Facet Joints)
Bones: Inferior articular processes of vertebra; Superior articular processes of adjacent vertebra
Classification: Synovial; Gliding
Movements: Based on orientation of facets
Costovertebral Articulations
Bones: Head of ribs; costal facet or demifacet on vertebral bodies and IV Disc between them
Classification: Synovial; gliding
Costotransverse Articulations
Bones: Tubercle of ribs; Transverse costal facets of same level vertebra (Ribs 11 and 12 don’t articulate with transverse processes)
Classification: Synovial; Gliding
Lumbosacral Articulation
Bones: L5, Sacrum
Classification: Symphysis - IV Disc
Ligaments: Iliolumbar ligament and lumbosacral ligament
Lumbosacral Articulation Ligaments
Iliolumbar ligament: from transverse process of L5 into two bands; Crest of ilium and anterior sacroiliac ligament
Lumbosacral ligament: from transverse process of L5 to sacrum and lower band of iliolumbar ligament
Sacroiliac Articulation
Bones: Sacrum and Ilium
Classification: Synovial; Gliding
