Vertebral Column And Development

Question 1

How many cervical vertebrae are there?

Answer 1

7

Question 2

How many corresponding cervical spinal nerves are there?

Answer 2

8

Question 3

How many thoracic vertebrae are there?

Answer 3

12

Question 4

How many corresponding thoracic spinal nerves are there?

Answer 4

12

Question 5

How many lumbar vertebrae are there?

Answer 5

5

Question 6

How many corresponding lumbar spinal nerves are there?

Answer 6

5

Question 7

How many sacral vertebrae are there?

Answer 7

5 (fused)

Question 8

How many coccygeal vertebrae are there?

Answer 8

3-5 (fused)

Question 9

Where is most of your body weight in relation to your vertebral column?

Answer 9

Anterior to your vertebral column

Question 10

Why are there curvatures in your spine?

Answer 10

Better flexibility, better able to resist compressive load of body weight

Question 11

What curvatures are primary (present prior to birth/fetal)?

Answer 11

Thoracic and sacral (kyphosis)

Question 12

What is kyphosis?

Answer 12

Curvature that is concave anteriorly

Question 13

What curvatures are secondary (develop after birth)?

Answer 13

Cervical and lumbar (lordosis)

Question 14

What is lordosis?

Answer 14

Curvature that is convex anteriorly

Question 15

When does cervical curvature occur?

Answer 15

When infants begin holding their head up

Question 16

When does lumbar curvature form?

Answer 16

When infants begin to walk

Question 17

Name three abnormal curvatures of the spine

Answer 17

Excessive kyphosis, excessive lordosis, scoliosis

Question 18

Which vertebrae have the largest body?

Answer 18

Lumbar

Question 19

Which vertebrae have the largest vertebral canal?

Answer 19

Cervical

Question 20

Which vertebrae have the smallest vertebral canal?

Answer 20

Lumbar

Question 21

Where does the spinal cord end?

Answer 21

L1

Question 22

Which vertebrae have costal facets?

Answer 22

Thoracic

Question 23

What features do lumbar vertebrae lack?

Answer 23

Costal facets and transverse foremen

Question 24

What do intervertebral discs (IVD) do?

Answer 24

Link adjacent vertebral bodies/provide cushioning, increase range of motion, transmit loads from one segment to another, absorb shock

Question 25

What are the two parts of the intervertebral discs?

Answer 25

Anulus fibrosis and nucleus purposes

Question 26

What does the anulus fibrosis do?

Answer 26

Limits rotation between bodies providing strength/stability through alternating fiber orientation

Question 27

What does the nucleus pulposus (of the IVD) do?

Answer 27

Adds to flexibility

Question 28

Is the nucleus pulposus avascular or vascular?

Answer 28

Avascular - it receives its nutrients from diffusion

Question 29

What embryonic structure is the nucleus pulposus remnant of?

Answer 29

Embryonic notochord

Question 30

Where is the Atlanto-occipital joint located?

Answer 30

Between superior articulate facets of C1 and occipital condyles

Question 31

What sort of movement does the Atlanta-occipital joint allow for?

Answer 31

Primarily flexion; some extension, lateral flexion, rotation

Question 32

What is unique about the Atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 32

It is missing a body and there is no intervertebral disc

Question 33

Where are the uncovertebral joints located?

Answer 33

Uncinate processes of C3-C7 and body superior

Question 34

What is a common abnormality in the uncovertebral joints?

Answer 34

Bone spurs (osteophytes) that may compress the nerve and artery

Question 35

Where do spinal nerves exit the vertebrae?

Answer 35

Intervertebral foramen

Question 36

What determines range of motion in Zygapophyseal joints?

Answer 36

Orientation of articular facets

Question 37

What is the orientation of the articular facets in the cervical zygapophyseal joints?

Answer 37

Near horizontal, sloped

Question 38

What motion occurs in the cervical zygapophyseal joints?

Answer 38

Promotes flexion/extension with some lateral extension. Limits rotation.

Question 39

What is the most mobile region of the vertebrae?

Answer 39

Cervical

Question 40

Why are cervical vertebrae the most mobile?

Answer 40

There is not as much soft tissue limiting motion, and the intervertebral discs are larger

Question 41

What is the orientation of the articular facets in the thoracic zygapophyseal joints?

Answer 41

Near vertical

Question 42

What motion occurs in the thoracic zygapophyseal joints?

Answer 42

Rotation. Limits flexion, extension, and lateral flexion due to overlapping spinous processes and rib cage

Question 43

How are the articular facets of the lumbar zygapophyseal joints oriented?

Answer 43

Wrapped orientation

Question 44

What motion occurs in the lumbar zygapophyseal joints?

Answer 44

Flexion/Extension with some Lateral Flexion. Limits rotation.