Vertebral column: bones and joints

Question 1

what are the functions of the vertebral column (5)

Answer 1

• muscle attachment
• mobility
• protection of the spinal cord
• weight transfer from trunk to lower limbs
• haematopoesis within bodies

Question 2

bones of the vertebral column

Answer 2

7 cervical
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
5 sacral (fused)
4 coccygeal (fused)

Question 3

the primary curvatures are

Answer 3

kyphosis

Question 4

the secondary curvatures are

Answer 4

lordosis

Question 5

4 principal curves of the spine

Answer 5

cervical lordosis
thoracic kyphosis
lumbar lordosis
sacral kyphosis

Question 6

what is a scoliosis

Answer 6

lateral curvature of the spine

Question 7

what is the difference between postural and pathological scoliosis

Answer 7

postural will resolve when you stand, pathological is permanent

Question 8

how do curvatures of the spine develop

Answer 8

in response to changing movements/posture of the newborn

Question 9

how does the secondary curvature in the cervical region develop

Answer 9

newborn’s ability to hold neck up

Question 10

how does the secondary curvature develop in the lumbar region

Answer 10

ability to crawl and later stand up and walk

Question 11

describe the components of a typical vertebrae

Answer 11

vertebral body
vertebral arch
processes
vertebral notches

Question 12

where is the vertebral body found

Answer 12

anteriorly

Question 13

what makes up the vertebral arch

Answer 13

pedicles and lamina

Question 14

how many processes does a typical vertebrae have

Answer 14

7

Question 15

what are the processes of a typical vertebrae

Answer 15

1 x spinous
2 x transverse
4 x articular

Question 16

what are the vertebral notches

Answer 16

indentations superior and inferior to pedicles

Question 17

which vertebral notch is more pronounced

Answer 17

inferior

Question 18

where is the vertebral foramen

Answer 18

space created between body and arch

Question 19

what is another name for C1

Answer 19

atlas

Question 20

why is C1 considered atypical

Answer 20

no body or spinous process

Question 21

what does C1 have instead of body and spinous process

Answer 21

anterior and posterior arches, each with a tubercle

Question 22

what are the tubercles on C1 anterior and posterior arches for

Answer 22

sites of muscle and ligament attachment

Question 23

how does C1 articulate with occipital condyles

Answer 23

superior articular surfaces

Question 24

the superior articular surfaces of C1 are for articulation with what

Answer 24

occipital condyles

Question 25

what is found posterior to the anterior arch of C1

Answer 25

foramen for dens of C2

Question 26

what is another name for C2

Answer 26

axis

Question 27

why is C2 atypical

Answer 27

it has a dens/odontoid process that projects up from body

Question 28

how does C2 articulate with C1

Answer 28

C1 rotates around dens on superior articular facets

Question 29

the superior articular facets of C2 are relatively ___

Answer 29

flat

Question 30

the transverse ligament of C1 attaches where on C2

Answer 30

posterior articular facet on odontoid process

Question 31

what do the transverse processes of all cervical vertebrae have (including C1 and C2)

Answer 31

transverse foramen (foramen transversarium)

Question 32

what is the function of the foramen transversarium

Answer 32

allows passage of the vertebral artery which travels up through FT of cervical vertebrae to enter the skull via the foramen magnum

Question 33

the body of C3-C7 has what

Answer 33

uncinate process

Question 34

the transverse processes of C3-C7 have what

Answer 34

anterior and posterior tubercles with groove for spinal nerve in between

Question 35

the spinous process of C2-C7 is what shape

Answer 35

bifid

Question 36

how do T1-T12 articulate with ribs

Answer 36

costal facets - inferior and superior costal facets for head of rib - transverse costal facet for tubercle of rib

Question 37

how is a large amount of rotational movement allowed in the thoracic region

Answer 37

nearly vertical articular facets - superior articular facet is directed nearly posteriorly - inferior articular facet is directed nearly anteriorly

Question 38

describe the spinous processes of T1-T12

Answer 38

long sloping spinous process

Question 39

describe the shape of the body of the lumbar vertebrae

Answer 39

massive kidney shaped body

Question 40

describe the shape of the spinous process of lumbar vertebrae

Answer 40

quadriateral

Question 41

what extra processes do lumbar vertebrae have

Answer 41

accessory and mamillary processes

Question 42

where are the accessory processes of lumbar vertebrae

Answer 42

one on each transverse process

Question 43

where are the mamillary processes of lumbar vertebrae

Answer 43

one on each superior articular process

Question 44

what is the purpose of the accessory and mamillary processes

Answer 44

sites for muscle attachment

Question 45

describe the movement allowed in the lumbar region

Answer 45

very little rotational movement is possible while still maintaining flexion and extension

Question 46

why is there very little rotational movement but flexion and extension still maintained in lumbar region

Answer 46

superior articular facets are directed posteromedially and inferior articular facets are directed anterolaterally - SAPs are 'gripping' IAP of vertebrae above

Question 47

what shape is the sacrum

Answer 47

wedge shaped

Question 48

describe the anterior surface of the sacrum

Answer 48

smooth - faces pelvic cavity

Question 49

what do the anterior sacral foramina allow

Answer 49

passage of anterior rami of sacral spinal nerves

Question 50

the anterior sacral foramina are remants of what

Answer 50

when bones fuse they form foramina instead of superior and inferior notches seen in typical vertebrae

Question 51

the apex of the sacrum is superior to the

Answer 51

base of coccyx

Question 52

describe the posterior surface of the sacrum

Answer 52

median crest 2 intermediate crests 2 lateral crests

Question 53

how is the median crest of the sacrum formed

Answer 53

fusion of spinous processes

Question 54

how are the intermediate crests of the sacrum formed

Answer 54

fusion of articular processes

Question 55

how are the lateral crests of the sacrum formed

Answer 55

fusion of transverse processes

Question 56

how does the sacrum articulate with the iliac bones

Answer 56

auricular surfaces found on lateral sides of sacrum

Question 57

what is the purpose of the posterior sacral foramina

Answer 57

passage of spinal nerves exiting spinal canal

Question 58

what is found on the caudal end of posterior surface of the sacrum

Answer 58

sacral hiatus

Question 59

what shape is the coccyx

Answer 59

small and triangular

Question 60

how is the coccyx formed

Answer 60

fusion of around 4 rudimentary coccygeal vertebrae (variable but between 3-5)

Question 61

how does the coccyx articulate with the sacrum

Answer 61

coccygeal cornu (horns)

Question 62

what kind of joints are between vertebral bodies

Answer 62

intervertebral discs (secondary cartilaginous)

Question 63

what kind of joints are between the articular processes

Answer 63

zygopophysial joints (plane synovial)

Question 64

what are the 2 parts of the IVD

Answer 64

anulus fibrosus nucleus pulposus

Question 65

what is the anulus fibrosus

Answer 65

concentric layers of fibrous tissue

Question 66

what is the nucleus pulposus

Answer 66

gelatinous core that allows IVD to change shape to accomodate movements of the VC

Question 67

what movements are possible at the VC

Answer 67

lateral flexion rotation extension flexion