Palmer - Spinal Anatomy Final Exam Objective (Spring 2026) (Beveridge)

Credit to Sara Gehling (saragehling on Quizlet)!

How many synovial joint surfaces are on a typical cervical vertebrae?

8

Which ligaments attach to the C2 vertebral body?

ALL

PLL

tectorial membrane (PLL continued)

Describe the median atlantoaxial joint including its boundaries

synovial pivot (diathrosis trochoid) joint

Boundaries:

ant: anterior arch of C1

post: transverse ligament of C1

lat: lateral masses of C1

Describe the neurocentral synchondrosis

Synchondrosis between centrum & neural arch centers of ossification on each side;

Fully ossifies around 8 y.o.

Unilateral ossification can cause scoliosis

Describe the ponticulus posticus including its attachment sites

an accessory bone;

attachment: lateral mass & arcuate rim

superior to the groove/sulcus for the vertebral artery (potential source of vertebral a. compression)

complete ossification: arcuate foramen

more likely in females

forms b/w 2-7 y.o.

Understand the structural and functional classification of the ligaments forming the

anterior and posterior boundaries of the spinal canal

PLL (ant boundary) & ligamentum flavum (post boundary)

structural classification: fibrous syndesmosis

functional classification: amphiarthrosis

Describe the classification of fibrous joints

(Fibrous joints)

suture: dense fibrous CT; b/w skull bones

syndesmosis: fibrous CT; parallel bones; ligaments (ALL, PLL, LF)

gomphosis: Conical process into a socket; teeth roots & mandible alveolus

schindylesis: Ridged bone articulating in groove of neighboring bone: vomer & sphenoid

Which muscles attach to the T1 TVP?

longissimus (thoracis, cervicis, capitis)

semispinalis (cervicis, capitis)

multifidus

rotator longus/rotator brevis

intertransversarii

levator costorum brevis

How many synovial joint surfaces are located on T10, T11, and T12 vertebral body?

2 (costal facets)

Describe costal notches found on the sternum

1st costal notch: cartilaginous synchondrosis, separated from articular surface of 1st rib by hyaline cartilage

2nd-7th costal notches: synovial plane, stabilized by radiate sternocostal ligaments

Ribs 1-7 costal cartilages attach to costal notches

Describe costovertebral joints (location and total joint surfaces)

joint formed when the ribs articulate with the thoracic vertebrae

2 types of costovertebral joints:

1) costocentral (4; on body) - synovial plane

2) costotransverse (2 on arch) - synovial plane

Describe ossification centers in the sternum

1° ossification:

manubrium: 1-3

sternebrae 1 & 2: 1

sternebrae 3 & 4: 2

2° ossification:

xiphoid process

Describe joints associated with the manubrium

manubriosternal symphysis: manubrium and sternum, cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis

sternoclavicular joint: synovial saddle

sternochondral joint: cartilaginous synchondrosis

Describe superior and inferior costal demi facets including where they articulate

synovial plane joint

sup. costal demi facet: articulates with inf. articular surface of rib at same level (i.e. T3 sup. demi facet with Rib 3 inferior articular surface)

inf. costal demi facet: articulates with sup. articular surface of rib below (i.e. T2 inf. demi facet with Rib 3 inferior articular surface)

Describe para-articular processes

T10 lamina (most common)

ossification of ligamentum flavum

Understand and describe where spinal nerves exit between the intervertebral foramina

C1-C8 named for vertebrae below

(i.e. C2 nerve b/w C1 & C2 vertebrae)

T1-L5 named for vertebrae above

(i.e. T2 nerve b/w T2 & T3 vertebrae)

Describe the superior and inferior articular processes/facets in the lumbar spine

Sup - BUM

Inf - FoLD

Describe cervicalization at T1

T1 becomes cervical-like:

- T1 rib small or absent

- T1 has a transverse foramen

- T1 sup. art. facet BUM

- T1 uncinate process

Describe the subdental synchondrosis

subdental synchondrosis:

- bilateral primary centers of ossification for the dens

- cartilaginous synchondrosis

- fuses between 4-7

- persists beyond age 7 -> os odontoideum

Describe the tip of the dens synchondrosis at C2

tip of the dens synchondrosis:

- secondary center of ossification for tip of the dens

- cartilaginous synchondrosis

- fusion before age 12

- persists after age 12 -> terminal ossicle

Describe the sacral hiatus

inferior opening of sacral spinal canal

Between median and intermediate sacral crests

Contents:

• Cauda equina

• Spinal meninges

• Co1 spinal nerve

• S5 (sometimes S4) sacral spinal nerve exits

Describe Assimilation of the Atlas

assimilation of atlas = occipitalization of atlas

- congenital

- partial or complete fusion with occiput

- anterior arch and foramen magnum fused

- occipital condyles fused to lateral masses of C1

- posterior arch fused to foramen magnum

Describe cervical and lumbar ribs

lumbar ribs:

- more common

- elongated transverse processes

- 7% of population

cervical ribs:

- dorsalization of C7

- can be found as high as C4

- usually at C7

Describe lumbar laminae

broad

thick

distinct spaces b/w segments -> easy to access subarachnoid space (L3-L4 lumbar spinal tap)

Where are ciliary bodies, ciliary glands, and meibomian glands located?

ciliary body: behind iris/ in posterior chamber - secretes aqueous humor

ciliary gland: at the base of eyelashes - secretes aqueous humor

meibomian gland: within tarsus - secretes meibum

Describe the supraorbital and infraorbital artery and where they come from

supraorbital a.:

internal carotid a. -> ophthalmic a. -> supraorbital a.; exits supraorbital foramen

infraorbital a.:

internal maxillary a. -> infraorbital a.; exits infraorbital foramen

Describe innervation to the parotid gland

- secretomotor

- parasympathetic

- CN 9: glossopharyngeal n.

- pre-ganglionic-> lesser petrosal n. (foramen ovale)

- otic ganglion (synapse)

- post-ganglionic -> auriculotemporal n. V3

Describe the tectorial membrane (membrana tectoria)

superior continuation of PLL (above C2)

Describe the ligamentum nuchae

runs from occiput to C7 spinous process

limits flexion of cervical spine

anterior & posterior layer (aka lamellar/funicular)

Describe the ligamentum flavum and its superior continuations

- connect adjacent laminae (C2-S1)

- homologue of posterior atlanto-occipital/ atlantal-axial ligament

- thickest in lumbar region

(thinnest in cervical)

- ossification: most common in thoracic/thoracolumbar

- small gaps for venous passage

- blends with interspinous lig.

- support ant. z-joint capsule

Describe muscles of mastication (Innervation? Derived from? Actions?)

temporalis

masseter

medial pterygoid

lateral pterygoid

innervated: V3 mandibular division of CN 5

derived: 1st pharyngeal arch

action: elevation, depression, protrusion, retrusion, lateral movements of jaw