Vertebral column - Osteology/ Vasculature/ innervation Flashcards

1
Q

Discuss the primary and secondary curvatures of the spine

A
  • primary: kyphoses - thoracic & spinal
    = develop during fetal period and retained throughout life due to differences in height between anterior and posterior part of vertebrae
  • secondary: lordoses - cervical & lumbar
    = develop during fetal period but not obvious until infant can hold their own head/ start to walk
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2
Q

What are the 3 main features of typical vertebrae?

A
  • vertebral body: restrict movement
  • vertebral arch: pedicles & laminae - protect spinal cord
  • 7 processes: 1 spinal, 4 articular, 2 transverse
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3
Q

What forms zygopophyseal joints?

A

= aka facet joints - superior and inferior articular facets

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4
Q

Describe thoracic vertebrae in terms of:

  • body
  • vertebral foramen
  • transverse process
  • articular process
  • spinous process
A
  • heart shaped- demifacets for heads of ribs
  • circular/ smaller than lumbar
  • length diminishes from T1-12/ costal facets on t1-10 for articulation with tubercles of ribs
  • facets frontally orientated in AP view - superior: anterolateral/ inferior: posteromedial
  • longer, sloping - distal orientation/ overlap vertebral bodies
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5
Q

Describe lumbar vertebrae in terms of:

  • body
  • vertebral foramen
  • transverse process
  • articular process
  • spinous process
A
  • large, kidney shaped
  • triangular foramen
  • long/ slender (except L5 = short & pyramidal)
  • superior facets: anteromedial/ inferior facets: posterolateral
  • spinous process: short & sturdy - hatchet shaped
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6
Q

What is the sacral promontory?

A
  • anterior edge of S1
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7
Q

What exits the 4 pairs of sacral foramina?

A

rami of S1-4 nerves & accompanying vessels

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8
Q

How are the crests formed on the posterior surface of sacrum?

A

median crest - fusion of spinous processes
intermediate crest - fusion of articular processes
lateral crest - fusion of tips of transverse proceeses

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9
Q

What has resulted in sacral hiatus?

A

absence of laminae or spinous processes of S4-5

- leads to spinal canal

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10
Q

What are the sacral cornua?

A

horns - inferior articular processes of S5 - landmark for sacral canal

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11
Q

What is the shape of the lateral view of the coccyx?

Why is it significant?

A

auricular shape - articulates with ilium to form sacroiliac joint

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12
Q

What is the coccyx a remnant of?

A

skeleton of embryonic caudal eminence

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13
Q

Describe the arterial supply of the vertebral column (overview)

A

periosteal and equatorial branches of major cervical and segmental arteries and spinal branches

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14
Q

Describe the spinal branches in each region

A
  • ascending cervical and vertebral arteries in neck
  • posterior intercostal arteries in thoracic region
  • subcostal/ lumbar arteries in abdomen
  • iliolumbar/ lateral & medial sacral arteries in pelvis
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15
Q

Discuss how spinal branches divide once they enter the IV foramen

A
  • anterior/ posterior vertebral canal branches
    –> ascending/ descending branches
    (anterior -> nutrient arteries to vertebral bodies)
    (i) radicular arteries - anterior/ posterior roots of spinal nerves & coverings
    (ii) segmental medullary arteries - continue to spinal cord
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16
Q

Describe how spinal veins supply vertebrae

A

spinal veins form venous plexus –> internal vertebral epidural venous plexus & external vertebral venous plexus

  • basivertebral veins (within the vertebral bodies) empty into these
  • veins from spinal cord and venous plexus drain into intervertebral veins - accompany spinal nerves through IV foramen to drain into vertebral veins of neck and segmental veins of trunk
17
Q

Describe the innervation of the vertebral column

A

mostly meningeal branches of spinal nerves (except zygapophyseal joints supplied by articular branches of medial branches of posterior rami)

  • branches outside canal supply annulus fibrosi and ALL
  • recurrent branches -other ligaments, spinal dura mater and periosteum
18
Q

Which ligament limits hyperextension of spine?

A

anterior longitudinal ligament

19
Q

Which ligaments chiefly limits hyperflexion?

A

ligamentum flavum

20
Q

What ligaments are unique to the cervical vertebrae?

A
  • nuchal ligament - proximal attachment for trapezius and rhomboids
  • transverse ligament of atlas - anchor dens