Back, Spine & Related Structures – Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the osteology, ligaments, joints, neurovasculature, pathologies, and musculature of the back, neck, and associated structures for HPAT 5500/HPOT 6510/HPPT 8500/HPPH 7581 HNBF block review.

Vertebral Column

The 33-bone axis of the trunk (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 fused sacral, 4 fused coccygeal) that supports the head and trunk, protects the spinal cord, and provides sites for muscle, rib and pelvic attachment.

Lordotic Curves

Cervical and lumbar spinal curves that are concave posteriorly; they develop post-natally to balance the head and body weight.

Kyphotic Curves

Thoracic and sacral spinal curves that are convex posteriorly; represent the original fetal curvature.

Primary Curve

The continuous posterior convexity present in the fetal spine (thoracic & sacral regions).

Secondary Curves

Post-natal posterior concavities (cervical & lumbar) that develop with head lifting and upright weight-bearing.

Excessive Thoracic Kyphosis

Pathologic exaggeration of the thoracic curve (“hunchback”).

Excessive Lumbar Lordosis

Pathologic exaggeration of the lumbar curve (“sway back”).

Scoliosis

Lateral curvature of the spine, usually with vertebral rotation and a rib hump on the convex side.

Vertebral Body

Anterior, weight-bearing part of a vertebra.

Vertebral Arch

Posterior portion (pedicles + laminae) that encloses the vertebral foramen.

Pedicle

Short bony process between vertebral body and transverse process; forms superior & inferior vertebral notches.

Lamina

Flat plate of bone between transverse and spinous processes, completing the vertebral arch.

Spinous Process

Posterior midline projection from the junction of laminae; muscle & ligament attachment site.

Transverse Process

Lateral projection from the junction of pedicle and lamina; muscle, rib, or ligament attachment.

Superior Articular Process

Upward-facing process bearing a facet that forms a synovial joint with the vertebra above.

Inferior Articular Process

Downward-facing process bearing a facet that joints with the vertebra below.

Zygapophyseal (Facet) Joint

Synovial joint between superior articular facet of one vertebra and inferior facet of the one above.

Intervertebral Foramen

Opening formed by adjacent vertebral notches through which a spinal nerve exits.

Vertebral Foramen

Canal within a single vertebra enclosed by body and arch; successive foramina form the vertebral canal.

Transverse Foramen

Hole in cervical transverse processes (C1–C6) that transmits the vertebral artery and vein (not in C7).

Uncinate Process

Hook-like lateral lip on superior surface of C3–C7 bodies forming uncovertebral joints.

Uncovertebral Joint (UVJ)

Synovial-like joint between uncinate process of a cervical vertebra and body of the vertebra above.

Atlas (C1)

First cervical vertebra lacking body & spinous process; consists of anterior/posterior arches and lateral masses.

Axis (C2)

Second cervical vertebra distinguished by its upward odontoid process (dens).

Dens (Odontoid Process)

Peg-like superior projection from C2 that forms a pivot for rotation with C1.

Atlantoaxial Joint

Collective term for one median and two lateral joints between atlas and axis enabling head rotation.

Median Atlantoaxial Joint

Pivot synovial joint between dens of C2 and anterior arch of C1, stabilized by ligaments.

Lateral Atlantoaxial Joint

Plane synovial joints between C1 and C2 articular facets lying mostly in the transverse plane.

Atlantooccipital Joint

Synovial condylar joint between occipital condyles and superior articular surfaces of atlas allowing nodding (flex/extend).

Tectorial Membrane

Superior continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament covering the median atlantoaxial joint up to the occiput.

Cruciform Ligament

Cross-shaped ligament (transverse + vertical bands) holding the dens against the anterior arch of C1.

Transverse Ligament of Atlas

Strong horizontal band of the cruciform ligament that secures the dens to C1; key stabilizer.

Apical Ligament

Ligament from tip of dens to occipital bone.

Alar Ligaments

Pair of strong oblique ligaments from sides of dens to occiput limiting head rotation.

Typical Rib

Ribs 3-9; possess head with two facets, neck, tubercle, shaft, angle, and costal groove.

Atypical Ribs

Ribs 1, 2, 10-12 with structural variations (e.g., single facet, no neck/tubercle, scalene or serratus attachments).

True Ribs

Ribs 1-7 that attach directly to sternum via their own costal cartilages.

False Ribs

Ribs 8-10 whose cartilages join that of the rib above, reaching sternum indirectly.

Floating Ribs

Ribs 11-12 with no anterior attachment; end in abdominal musculature.

Mamillary Process

Small projection on the posterior margin of lumbar superior articular processes for muscle attachment.

Intertransverse Ligament

Connects adjacent transverse processes; stretched/compressed during lateral flexion.

Supraspinous Ligament

Collagenous band from C7 to ~L3/4 over spinous tips; limits flexion and is the first posterior ligament to fail.

Ligamentum Nuchae

Cervical enlargement of supraspinous ligament (C2–C7 to external occipital protuberance) resisting neck flexion.

Interspinous Ligament

Thin fibers between adjacent spinous processes limiting flexion.

Ligamentum Flavum

Elastic ‘yellow’ ligament between laminae (C2–sacrum) under constant tension; maintains disc pressure.

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL)

Strong band on anterior vertebral bodies (C1–sacrum) that limits extension, especially in lumbar spine.

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL)

Strong central band on posterior vertebral bodies inside canal; resists flexion but narrow laterally, allowing posterolateral disc herniations.

Intervertebral Disc

Fibrocartilaginous pad uniting C2–S1 vertebrae; composed of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus.

Annulus Fibrosus

Outer concentric fibrocartilage of a disc; vascular and innervated peripherally, holds nucleus pulposus.

Nucleus Pulposus

Water-rich, gelatinous disc core that redistributes compressive forces.

Posterolateral Disc Herniation

Protrusion of nucleus pulposus through annulus at weak posterolateral region, often compressing nerve roots.

Spondylolysis

Stress or congenital fracture of the pars interarticularis between superior facet and lamina.

Spondylolisthesis

Bilateral pars defects leading to anterior displacement (slippage) of a vertebral body, commonly L5.

Burst (Compression) Fracture

Failure of vertebral body from axial load (often flexed); may be stable or unstable.

Clay Shoveler’s Fracture

Avulsion fracture of C7 spinous process caused by sudden muscle contraction.

Hangman’s Fracture

Fracture of C2 vertebral arch produced by hyperextension and distraction.

Jefferson Fracture

2- to 4-part fracture of C1 ring from axial loading on a flexed head (e.g., shallow-water dive).

Epidural Space

Fat-filled space between vertebral canal walls and dura mater containing internal venous plexus.

Dura Mater

Tough outer meninx extending from foramen magnum to S2; encloses dural sac around spinal cord.

Subdural Space

Potential space between dura and arachnoid mater; site of subdural hematoma if bleeding occurs.

Arachnoid Mater

Middle meninx; sends trabeculae across subarachnoid space to pia, resembling a spider web.

Subarachnoid Space

CSF-filled interval between arachnoid and pia mater surrounding brain and spinal cord.

Pia Mater

Delicate innermost meninx intimately adhering to spinal cord and nerve roots.

Conus Medullaris

Tapered terminal end of spinal cord, typically at L1–L2 level.

Filum Terminale

Fibrous continuation of pia from conus to coccyx anchoring the cord.

Cauda Equina

Bundle of lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal nerve roots surrounding filum terminale in lumbar cistern.

Spinal Nerve

One of 31 mixed motor-sensory nerves leaving the cord (8C, 12T, 5L, 5S, 1Co).

Dorsal (Posterior) Root

Afferent sensory fibers entering dorsal horn of spinal cord.

Ventral (Anterior) Root

Efferent motor fibers exiting ventral horn to join spinal nerve.

Dorsal Primary Ramus

Mixed branch of spinal nerve that supplies deep back muscles and overlying skin.

Ventral Primary Ramus

Mixed branch supplying anterolateral trunk and all limbs; forms plexuses.

Extrinsic Back Muscles

Superficial & intermediate muscles (e.g., trapezius, serratus posterior) that move limbs or ribs.

Intrinsic Back Muscles

Deep ‘back proper’ muscles (splenius, erector spinae, transversospinales) that move/stabilize vertebral column.

Trapezius

Large superficial extrinsic muscle with descending, transverse, and ascending parts that elevate, retract, depress, and upwardly rotate the scapula; innervated by spinal accessory nerve.

Latissimus Dorsi

Broad superficial extrinsic muscle inserting on humeral intertubercular groove; adducts, extends & internally rotates humerus; innervated by thoracodorsal nerve.

Levator Scapulae

Muscle from C1–C4 transverse processes to superior scapular angle; elevates and downwardly rotates scapula; innervated by dorsal scapular nerve.

Rhomboid Major

Muscle from T2–T5 SPs to medial scapular border; retracts & downwardly rotates scapula; dorsal scapular nerve.

Rhomboid Minor

Muscle from C7–T1 SPs to medial scapular spine; same actions & innervation as rhomboid major.

Serratus Posterior Superior

Thin intermediate extrinsic muscle from C7–T3 to ribs 2–5 elevating ribs; ventral rami (intercostals) 2–5.

Serratus Posterior Inferior

Muscle from T11–L2 to ribs 9–12 pulling them down; ventral rami (intercostals) 9–12.

Splenius Capitis

Superficial intrinsic muscle from ligamentum nuchae & C3–T3 SPs to mastoid/occiput; extends, rotates, side-bends head; dorsal rami C-spine.

Splenius Cervicis

Companion muscle from T3–T6 SPs to C1–C4 TPs; same actions on neck.

Erector Spinae

Intermediate intrinsic muscle column (iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis) that extends & laterally flexes spine.

Iliocostalis

Lateral column of erector spinae (lumborum, thoracis, cervicis) arising from common tendon to angles of ribs & cervical TPs.

Longissimus

Intermediate column (thoracis, cervicis, capitis) extending from common tendon to ribs, TPs, mastoid.

Spinalis

Medial column (thoracis, cervicis, capitis) spanning spinous processes and occiput.

Semispinalis

Part of transversospinalis (thoracis, cervicis, capitis) spanning 4–6 segments; powerful head/neck extensor.

Multifidus

Thick transversospinalis muscle in lumbar region spanning 2–4 segments; stabilizes, rotates opposite side.

Rotatores

Short (1 segment) & long (2 segments) transversospinalis muscles best in thoracic spine; rotate opposite side.

Interspinalis

Minor intrinsic muscles connecting adjacent spinous processes; extend spine & stabilize.

Intertransversarii

Minor intrinsic muscles between transverse processes; participate in lateral flexion & stabilization.

Levator Costarum

Small muscles from thoracic TPs to ribs below; elevate ribs and aid inspiration.

Obliquus Capitis Superior

Suboccipital muscle from C1 TP to occiput; extends & laterally bends head; C1 dorsal ramus.

Obliquus Capitis Inferior

Suboccipital muscle from C2 SP to C1 TP; rotates atlas/head to same side; C1 dorsal ramus.

Rectus Capitis Posterior Major

Suboccipital muscle from C2 SP to occiput; extends & rotates head to same side; C1 dorsal ramus.

Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor

Suboccipital muscle from C1 posterior tubercle to occiput; extends head; C1 dorsal ramus.

Suboccipital Triangle

Space bounded by obliquus capitis superior & inferior and rectus capitis posterior major; contains vertebral artery & suboccipital nerve.

Thoracodorsal Nerve

C6–C8 posterior cord branch innervating latissimus dorsi.

Dorsal Scapular Nerve

C5 root branch innervating levator scapulae and rhomboids.

Thoracodorsal Artery

Axillary artery branch supplying latissimus dorsi.