Vertebral Column/ Joints of V. Column Flashcards
(34 cards)
The spinal chord runs through what on the vertebrae??
The vertebral foramen (foramen transversarium)
It’s posterior to the body of the vertebra
How many processes does a vertebral arch have?
7 total
1spinous
2 transverse
4 articular joints
Features of typical thoracic vertebrae?
Hear shaped body
Circular vertebral foramen
Spines point downward
Costal facets are present
Features of lumbar vertebrae
Body is kidney bean shaped
Strong!!
Vertebral foramen are triangular
Features of sacral vertebrae
5 vertebrae fused together
Sacrum is CONCAVE anteriorly
The coccyx
4 vertebrae fused together
What are the intervertebral foramen?
Where superior and inferior notches of pedicles on vertebrae unite and form a hole that spinal nerves and blood vessels run through
Dorsal and ventral nerve roots unite here
What is the foramen transversarium?
a small hole on each side of the cervical vertebrae near the transverse process that transmits the vertebral artery and veins (** vertebral a. does NOT pass through on C7**)
what is unique about the spines on cervical vertebrae?
they are bifid
Why is C7 atypical?
It has the longest spinous process that is NOT bifid; known as vertebra prominens
What is characteristic of the spines of thoracic vertebrae?
They are long and point downward
What shape is the vertebral foramina in the thoracic vertebra?
circular
What shape is the vertebral foramina in the lumbar vertebra?
triangular
What is the upper margin of the first sacral vertebra called that bulges anteriorly?
sacral promotory
What might be attached to the C7 and/or L1?
a rib
What may be special about L5
It could be incorporated into the sacrum
What could be special about the first sacral vertebrae?
It may not be fused to the sacrum technically becoming L6
What might be wrong with the posterior wall of the sacral canal?
It may be absent due to failure of the lamina and spines to develope
What may be different about the coccyx?
It could have 3 or 5 vertebrae instead of 4 and the first vertebrae could be separate
What does the anterior atlanto-occipital membrane connect?
the anterior arch of the atlas to the anterior margin of the foramen magnum; NO ROTATION
What does the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane connect?
The posterior arch of the atlas to the posterior margin of the foramen magnum; NO ROTATION
What does the apical ligament connect?
It connects the the apex of the odontoid process to the anterior of the foramen magnum; rotates the atlas on the head of the axis
What do the alar ligaments connect?
two of them; connect the odontoid process to the medial sides of the occipital condyles; rotation of the atlas on the head of the axis
What do the cruciate ligaments connect?
the transverse part connects the odontoid process to the anterior arch of the atlas and the vertical part connects the posterior surface of the body of the axis to the foramen magnum; rotation of the atlas on the head of the axis
