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Clinical Anatomy > Vertebral Column Osteology > Flashcards

Vertebral Column Osteology Flashcards

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1
Q

Where does the Vertebral Column start and finish?

A

Extends from skull to apex of coccyx

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2
Q

What is the total length of the vertebral column in males?

A

~70cm

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3
Q

What is the total length of the vertebral column in females?

A

~60cm

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4
Q

How many bones are there in the vertebral column?

A

33 Vertebrae: 7 cervical + 12 thoracic + 5 lumbar +
5 sacral (fused to form sacrum) +
4 coccygeal (fused to form coccyx)

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5
Q

What are the general functions of the vertebral column?

A

Protects spinal cord and spinal nerves

Supports the weight of body

Important in maintaining posture and for locomotion

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6
Q

Why is the spine curved?

A

The advantages of a curve spine is that it acts like a series of springs
It enables the spine to act like a natural shock absorber since has flexibility in a sagittal plane when vertically loaded
The intervertebral discs absorb shock and allow a lighter more flexible structure
Since the discs are partially off-set, then the mass of the above vertebra is not solely placed directly on the disc, but spread between the disc and the facet joints

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7
Q

What is the definition of Kyphosis?

A

convex curvature of the spine e.g. thoracic region

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8
Q

What is the definition of Lordosis?

A

concave curvature of the spine e.g. lumbar region

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9
Q

What is the definition of Scoliosis?

A

sidewards curve of the spine in sagittal view

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10
Q

What are the primary curvatures of the vertebral column?

A

Thoracic and Sacral
Concave anteriorly (kyphotic)
Formed during foetal period

Caused by differences in height between anterior and posterior parts of vertebral body

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11
Q

What are the secondary curvatures of the vertebral column?

A

Cervical and Lumbar
Convex anteriorly (lordotic)
Only become obvious in infancy

Caused by differences in thickness between anterior and posterior parts of intervertebral discs

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12
Q

What do typical vertebrae consist of?

A

Body
Vertebral (Neural) Arch
Transverse AND spinous processes
Articular processes
Opposed surfaces of adjacent bodies are bound together by intervertebral discs
Vertebral foramina form vertebral canal for spinal cord
Between adjoining vertebral arches are intervertebral foramina for spinal nerves

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13
Q

True or false? Vertebrae vary in size and characteristics from one region to another and within regions

A

True

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14
Q

What does the vertebral body look like?

A

Viewed from above, most bodies are convex anteriorly and concave posteriorly where they complete the vertebral foramen

When viewed laterally, they are box shaped, with a concave surface anteriorly and a flat surface posteriorly

Superior and inferior surfaces are smooth with tiny perforations and a rim running around the perimeter of smoother raised bone called the ring apophysis

Nutrient foramina on posterior surface

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15
Q

What is the function of the vertebral body?

A

Weight bearing
(esp. longitudinal forces)
Due to their shape, they cannot resist sliding or twisting movements
Not a solid structure (lighter & more suitable to dynamic load bearing)
Solid structures fracture more easily

Weight bearing ability is enhanced by internal structure:
Shell of solid cortical bone
Cancellous cavity created from numerous trabeculae (vertical and transverse struts of bone)

Weight is first borne by vertical trabeculae  as they start to bow under pressure, they are supported by transverse trabeculae

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16
Q

What does the vertebral arch consist of?

A

Pedicle
Lamina

Projecting from their junctions:
Transverse processes (paired)
Articular processes (paired, superior and inferior)
Spinous process (single, dorsally placed in median plane)

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17
Q

What are the vertebral pedicles?

A

Two short, stout, rounded processes

Projects posteriorly from superior part of vertebral body at junction of its posterior and lateral surfaces

Superior vertebral notch (above the pedicle) is shallower than inferior vertebral notch (below the pedicle)

Adjacent vertebral notches  intervertebral foramen

Help to transmit tension and bending forces

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18
Q

What is pars interarticularis?

A

part of vertebra between inferior and superior articular process of facet joint

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19
Q

What is the lamina?

A

Directly continuous from each pedicle towards the midline

Meet and fuse in the midline

Flattened in vertical plane

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20
Q

What is a spinous process?

A

Projects dorsally and often caudally from junction of laminae
Act as attachments and levers for muscles which control posture and active movements of vertebral column

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21
Q

What are articular processes?

A

Articular Processes
Superior and inferior articular processes arise at junction of lamina and pedicle

Superior articular processes extend superiorly, articular facets facing posteriorly
Inferior articular processes extend inferiorly, articular facets facing anteriorly

Accessory processes near attachment of transverse processes to pedicles

Receive forces acting on vertebra, including some weight bearing
Restricts certain movements
Prevents vertebrae from slipping anteriorly
Protects vertebral canal

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22
Q

What are transverse processes?

A

Projects posterolaterally from junction of pedicles and laminae on each side

Act as levers for muscles and ligaments
Particularly concerned with rotation and lateral flexion

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23
Q

What is the vertebral foramen formed by?

A

Vertebral body (posterior aspect)
Pedicles
Laminae
Spinous process (base)

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24
Q

What is contained within the vertebral foramen?

A

Spinal cord
Nerve roots
Meninges
Spinal Vasculature

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25
What is the intervertebral foramen?
Principle route to and from vertebral canal
26
What is the intervertebral foramen formed of?
Vertebral notches (superior & inferior) Vertebral bodies (adjacent posterolateral parts) Intervertebral disc (posterior aspect) Articular processes Capsule of zygapophyseal (facet) synovial joint
27
What is contained within the intervertebral foramen?
Spinal nerves Smaller recurrent nerves Blood and lymphatic vessels
28
What does the cervical body look like?
Viewed Anteriorly: Superior surface is concave and inferior surface is convex Superior borders of vertebral bodies are raised posteriorly, referred to as uncinate processes Viewed Superiorly: Convex anterior surface and flat/minimally concave posterior surface A-P distance is half its side to side distance (width) Viewed Laterally Not wedge shaped
29
What does the thoracic body look like?
Larger than cervical, smaller than lumbar  Impression on left side by descending thoracic aorta Viewed Laterally: Slightly wedge shaped (deeper posteriorly) Waisted cylinder Viewed Superiorly: Transverse and AP dimensions almost equal Heart shaped Circular vertebral foramina
30
What does the lumbar body look like?
Costal Facets: Upper 6 vertebrae: Concave & face anterolaterally Lower 6 vertebrae: Flatter & face superolaterally & slightly forwards Larger superior facets: Upper border of body, anterior to pedicles Smaller inferior facets: Lower border of body anterior to vertebral notches Large, sturdy and kidney shaped Wider transversely
31
What are the movements of the spine - the head in relation to c7?
flexion: approximately 85º (of which 10º in the atlanto-occipital joint and 30º in the atlanto-axial joint) extension: approximately 55º (of which 20º in the atlanto-occipital joint) lateroflexion: approximately 35°  rotation: approximately 85º (of which 35º in the atlanto-axial joint)
32
What are the movements of the spine - T1 in relation to T12?
T1 in relation to T12: flexion/extension: very limited lateroflexion: approximately 35°  rotation: approximately 55°
33
What are the movements of the spine - L1 in relation to S1?
flexion: approximately 25° extension: approximately 55° lateroflexion: approximately 35° rotation: approximately 15°
34
What do cervical pedicles look like?
Project posterolaterally Midway between posterior surface of vertebral body, so that superior and inferior vertebral notches are a similar depth
35
What do thoracic pedicles look like?
Do not diverge as in cervical vertebra
36
What do lumbar pedicles look like?
Short stout cylinders
37
What do cervical laminae look like?
Project posteromedially Longer than pedicles Thin and slightly curved Thin superior and slightly thicker inferior border
38
What do thoracic laminae look like?
Short, thick and broad Overlap from above downwards
39
What do lumbar laminae look like?
Sturdy
40
What do Cervical Vertebral Foramen look like?
Large Triangular Accommodates the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord
41
What do Thoracic Vertebral Foramen look like?
Is small and circular as the spinal cord is smaller and more circular
42
What do Lumbar Vertebral Foramen look like?
Varies in shape from oval to triangular
43
What the Cervical Intervertebral Foramina look like?
Large and triangular Face anterolaterally 45 degrees Superior and inferior vertebral notches of almost equal depth
44
Which way do the Thoracic Intervertebral Foramina face?
Face laterally
45
What do the Lumbar Intervertebral Foramina look like?
Oval to triangular Face laterally Lie between two principle lines of vertebral attachment of psoas major muscle
46
What do Cervical Transverse Processes look like?
Transverse foramina Anterior and posterior tubercles Shorter than thoracic and lumbar transverse processes Face approximately 45 anterolaterally
47
What do Thoracic Transverse Processes look like?
Directed posterolaterally Near tip is anterior oval facet (tubercle of corresponding rib) Longer than cervical transverse processes Shorten in caudal succession
48
What do Lumbar Transverse Processes look like?
Thin and long Project laterally Small accessory process marks posteroinferior aspect of root
49
What are Cervical Articular Processes?
Superior Articular Processes: Facets are flat & ovoid and face superoposteriorly Inferior Articular Processes: Inferior facets are flat and ovoid and face inferoanteriorly
50
What are Thoracic Articular Processes?
Superior Articular Processes: Thin and almost flat and face posteriorly and slightly superolaterally Inferior Articular Processes: Project inferiorly from laminae and
51
What are Lumbar Articular Processes?
Superior Articular Processes: Vertical concave articular facets that face posteromedially On posterior surface of each is a rough rounded mamillary process (attachment for multifidus and medial intertransverse muscles) Inferior Articular Processes: Vertical convex articular facets that face anterolaterally
52
What do Cervical Spinous Processes look like?
Short and usually bifid C6 process is longer and often is not bifid Project posteroinferiorly Thinner than lumbar, shorter than thoracic
53
What do Thoracic Spinous Processes look like?
Long and slender Slant posteroinferiorly Overlap
54
What do Lumbar Spinous Processes look like?
Broad, flat and thickened along posterior and inferior borders Project horizontally posteriorly
55
What is the C1 Atlas?
First cervical vertebra and supports skull Ring shaped bone
56
What is the C1: Body, Pedicles, Laminae and Spinous Process?
No body, pedicles, laminae or spinous process
57
What is the C1: Anterior Arch?
Convex anteriorly Shorter than posterior arch Small anterior midline tubercle (anterior longitudinal ligament) On posterior surface is concave almost circular facet for articulation with dens of C2 Transverse ligament holds dens against anterior arch
58
What is the C1: Posterior Arch?
Convex posteriorly Longer than anterior arch Small posterior midline tubercle (ligamentum nuchae) Superior surface has groove for vertebral artery
59
What are the C1: Lateral Masses?
Ovoid Their long axes converge anteriorly Medially the masses have a tubercle for the attachment of transverse ligament of atlas Superior articular facet (articulates with occipital condyle of skull) are kidney shaped and concave Inferior articular facets (articulate with C2) are circular and flat/slightly concave Inferior facet faces posteromedially
60
What is the C2 (Axis)?
Second and strongest cervical vertebra
61
What is the C2: Body?
Consists of less compact bone than dens On anterior surface is deep depression on each side (attachment of vertical part of longus colli muscle) Anterior border projects downward (attachment for anterior longitudinal ligament)
62
What are the C2: Pedicles?
Stout Projects laterally and downward Anterolateral surface grooved by vertebral artery Inferior intervertebral notch
63
What does the C2: Laminae look like?
Thick
64
What does the C2: Transverse Processes look like?
Project inferiorly and laterally Rounded tip Transverse foramen directed laterally
65
What are the C2: Articular processes?
Superior Articular Processes: Large, flat and circular (atlas) Inferior Articular Processes: Face anteroinferiorly (C3)
66
What does the C2: Spinous Processes look like?
Large Bifid tip with a broad base Concave anteriorly and inferiorly
67
What is the C2: Dens?
Conical structure projecting superiorly from body around which atlas rotates Apex is pointed, from where apical ligament arises Posterior surface has broad groove for transverse ligament of atlas Held in place by transverse ligament (prevents horizontal displacement of C1) Posterolateral surfaces (above groove for transverse ligament) are flattened, from where alar ligaments arise Anterior surface has ovoid articular facet for anterior arch of atlas
68
What is the C7 (Vertebra Prominens)?
Characterized by long spinous process Thick and prominent transverse processes are largest in cervical spine Transverse foramen does not contain the vertebral artery, only vertebral veins (may be small or absent) Anterior tubercle on transverse process is small, whereas posterior tubercle is prominent
69
What are Atypical Thoracic Vertebrae (T1-T4)?
Some features of cervical vertebrae Bodies are smaller and narrower Superior articular facets tend to face more superiorly
70
What does T1 look like?
Body typically cervical with a transverse diameter almost twice the anteroposterior Long almost horizontal spinous process nearly as prominent as C7
71
What does T2 look like?
Body retains cervical shape but difference in AP to lateral diameters are less
72
What does T3 look like?
Body is smallest with a convex anterior aspect unlike T1 &T2, which are flattened
73
What does T4 look like?
Body is typically heart shaped
74
What do Atypical Thoracic Vertebrae (T9-T12) look like?
Some features of lumbar vertebrae Larger broader bodies Spinous processes more horizontal
75
What does T9 look like?
Often fails to articulate with 10th ribs Inferior demifacets often absent
76
What does T10 look like?
Only articulates with 10th ribs and only superior costal facets appear on body Transverse process may not bear a facet for 10th rib tubercle
77
What does T11 look like?
Only articulates with heads of 11th ribs Costal facets are small, circular and close to upper border of body extending onto pedicles No costal facets on small transverse processes 11th and 12th spinous processes are triangular with blunt apices
78
What does T12 look like?
Costal facets just below upper border of body & extend onto pedicles Transverse process is small & irregular
79
What is Atypical Lumbar Vertebra - L5?
Body is wedge shaped, thicker anteriorly than posteriorly Massive transverse process continuous with whole of pedicle and part of body Inferior articular facet faces anteriorly preventing vertebra from sliding anteriorly on sloping superior surface of sacrum Largest of movable vertebrae, and responsible for lumbosacral angle Body weight is transferred from L5 to base of sacrum
80
What is the sacrum?
Composed of 5 fused sacral vertebrae Articulates with L5 at 130-160º Four pairs of smaller dorsal and larger pelvic foramina for exit of dorsal and ventral divisions of sacral nerves Inferior smaller half is not weight bearing Wider in proportion to length in females Body of 1st sacral vertebra larger in males Provides strength and stability to pelvis Transmits body’s weight through sacroiliac joints to pelvic girdle
81
What is the sacrum comprised of?
Body: Large and wider transversely Sacral promontory: Projecting anterior margin of body of S1 vertebra Pedicles: Short & divergent posterolaterally Laminae: Slant down posteromedially to meet at tubercle Superior articular processes: Project cranially with concave articular facets directed posteromedially to articulate with inferior articular processes of L5 vertebra Transverse processes: Extend laterally from body Sacral/Vertebral foramen: Triangular Sacral canal: Contains cauda equina, meninges, cerebrospinal fluid, internal venous plexus, spinal nerves & fat Sacral hiatus: deficient posterior wall of the sacral canal inferiorly. Contains terminal filum, fatty connective tissue, S5 & coccygeal nerves Sacral cornua: Project inferiorly on each side of hiatus Auricular surface: Roughened area in upper part of lateral sacrum, where sacrum articulates with ilium Sacral Base Directed superiorly and slightly anteriorly Formed by upper surface of S1 Sacral Apex Inferior aspect of 5th sacral vertebral body bears an oval facet for articulation with coccyx
82
What is the coccyx?
Sacral Base Directed superiorly and slightly anteriorly Formed by upper surface of S1 Sacral Apex Inferior aspect of 5th sacral vertebral body bears an oval facet for articulation with coccyx

Clinical Anatomy (21 decks)

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