BACK LECTURE-ANATOMY

How many vertebrae are in the vertebral column?

33; consisting of 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacrum, 4 coccyx

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

31

What are the main functions of the vertebral column?

main support of the axial skeleton, protects spinal cord/nerves, supports weight, posture

Which vertebral regions are primary curvatures?

Thoracic and sacral

Which vertebral regions are secondary curvatures?

Cervical and lumbar

Lordosis

anterior rotation of the pelvis

What are some causes of lordosis?

weak anterolateral abdominal wall, pregnancy

What is abnormal lateral curvature of the spine called?

Scoliosis

The endplates of vertebral bodies are covered in what?

Hyaline cartilage

What forms the vertebral arch?

Paired pedicles and laminae

What passes through the vertebral foramen?

The spinal cord

What forms the intervertebral foramen?

Vertebral notches

How many processes does a typical vertebra have?

Seven: one spinous, two transverse, and four articular

What feature is unique to cervical vertebrae?

Transverse foramina

What structure passes through the transverse foramina?

Vertebral artery and vein (except C7)

Which cervical vertebra lacks a body and spinous process? (ring shaped)

C1 (atlas)

which cervical vertebrae allows for nodding your head "yes"?

C1- atlas

Which cervical vertebrae allows rotation of the head and atlas (shaking head no)

C2- axis

What movement occurs at the atlanto-occipital joint?

Flexion and extension (nodding "yes")

What movement occurs at the atlanto-axial joint?

Rotation (shaking "no")

cervical spine has the greatest degree of ________?

flexion (ROM)

What feature is unique to thoracic vertebrae?

Bodies have 1 or 2 bilateral costal facets for ribs and smaller vertebral foramen

What feature is unique to lumbar vertebrae?

large vertebral bodies and foramen, short and sturdy spinous process.

Why is the thoracic spine less mobile?

ROM is limited by ribs and sternum

At what vertebral level does the spinal cord end in adults?

L1-L2

What is the cauda equina?

Bundle of spinal nerve roots extending below the spinal cord

What is the filum terminale?

Fibrous extension of pia mater anchoring the spinal cord to the coccyx

What is the function of the sacrum?

Transmit body weight to the pelvis via sacroiliac joints

What are the two main parts of an intervertebral disc?

Annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus

Between which vertebrae are there no intervertebral discs?

Between C1 and C2

What is the most inferior functional intervertebral disc?

L5-S1

What type of joints are vertebral arches?

Zygapophysial (facet) joints

What is the function of facet joints?

Allow gliding movement and greater flexion and extension

What movement predominates in the thoracic region?

Rotation

What movement predominates in the lumbar region?

Flexion and extension

what do the superficial muscles of extrinsic back muscles do?

control limb movement

what do the intermediate muscles of extrinsic back muscles do?

control respiratory movement

what does the splenius group of the intrinsic back muscles do?

lateral flexion and rotation and extends head and neck

Which muscles are intrinsic (true) back muscles?

Splenius, erector spinae, and transversospinalis groups

What are the three columns of the erector spinae muscles?

Iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis

What is the function of erector spinae muscles?

chief extensors of the spine

Where are the Transversospinalis muscles group occupied?

the "gutter" between spinous process and the transverse process

What muscles form the suboccipital triangle?

Rectus capitis posterior major and minor, obliquus capitis superior and inferior

What artery passes through the suboccipital triangle?

Vertebral artery

What is the function of suboccipital muscles?

Extend and rotate the head

Where is a lumbar puncture performed?

After L2

Why is a lumbar puncture performed at that level?

Because the spinal cord ends above that point, minimizing risk of injury

What is the clinical significance of a herniated disc?

Compression of spinal nerve roots, leading to pain or neurological deficits

What are the functions of the intrinsic muscles of the back?

maintain posture and control ROM of the vertebral column

What structure anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx?

Filum terminale

At which vertebral level is the conus medullaris typically located?

L1-L2

What are the 4 curvatures of the vertebral column?

cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral

Where are the erector spinae muscles group occupied?

the "groove" between spinous process and angles of the ribs

Is most body weight anterior or posterior to the vertebral column?

Anterior

Is most muscle support anterior or posterior to the vertebral column?

Posterior

What are the two main longitudinal arteries of the vertebral column?

anterior spinal artery and paired posterior spinal artery

Cauda equina syndrome

acute or gradual onset of low back pain, pain that radiates down the leg, numbness around the anus, loss of bowel or bladder control