Week 10 Flashcards
(30 cards)
How many vertebrae are in each region of the spine?
7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused), 4 coccygeal (fused).
What are the functions of the spine?
Support body weight, transmit forces, position the head, brace the upper limbs, protect the spinal cord.
What are the abnormal curvatures of the spine?
Lordosis, kyphosis, scoliosis.
What are the components of a typical vertebra?
Body, pedicle, lamina, foramen, spinous and transverse processes.
What is unique about cervical vertebrae?
Small body, transverse foramen, bifid spinous process.
What are the special features of C1 and C2?
C1 (atlas) forms the atlanto-occipital joint (“yes” motion), C2 (axis) forms the atlanto-axial joint (“no” motion).
What distinguishes thoracic vertebrae?
Heart-shaped body, downward-facing spinous process, costal facets.
What distinguishes lumbar vertebrae?
Large, bean-shaped body; long transverse processes; posterior-facing spinous process.
How many vertebrae are fused in the sacrum and coccyx?
5 sacral and 4 coccygeal.
What features are found on the anterior surface of the sacrum?
Ala, body, anterior sacral foramina, and transverse lines.
What types of joints connect vertebrae?
Synovial (zygapophyseal) between articular processes and symphysis (intervertebral discs) between vertebral bodies.
What are intervertebral discs made of?
Outer annulus fibrosus (collagen/fibrocartilage) and inner nucleus pulposus (gel-like).
What spinal motions do zygapophyseal joints permit in each region?
Cervical: Flexion/extension
Thoracic: Rotation
Lumbar: Flexion/extension
Name key spinal ligaments.
Anterior longitudinal, posterior longitudinal, supraspinous, interspinous, ligamentum nuchae.
Where do spinal ligaments attach?
Along vertebral bodies and spinous processes (exact sites vary by ligament).
Where does the spinal cord end?
Between L1 and L2.
What is the cauda equina?
Nerve roots below the conus medullaris that continue through the vertebral canal.
How are spinal nerves named?
Cervical: Above vertebra (C8 below C7)
Thoracic/lumbar/sacral: Below vertebra
What are the three layers of meninges?
Pia mater (innermost)
Arachnoid mater (middle)
Dura mater (outermost)
What is the function of pia mater?
Delicate covering bound to spinal cord; supports blood vessels.
What innervates intrinsic back muscles?
Posterior rami of spinal nerves.
What are the layers of intrinsic back muscles?
Superficial (e.g., splenius), intermediate (erector spinae), deep (transversospinales, multifidus, rotatores).
What are the three erector spinae muscles?
Iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis.
What is the action of erector spinae?
Bilaterally extend the spine, unilaterally allow lateral flexion.
