ANAT102 topic 8 vertebral column

state number of vertebrae in each region

7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 4 coccygeal

describe the vertebral forament for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar

cervical= small heart shaped, thoracic = small round, lumbar = large kidney bean shaped

describe the vertebral body for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar

cervical = heart shaped, thoracic = medium round, lumbar = large oval shaped

describe the vertebral transverse processes for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar

cervical= small and thin, thoracic = thick and short, lumbar = thick and long 

describe the vertebral spinal processes for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar

cervical = small and thin, thoracic= thin and long, lumbar = large 

what is the function of the shape of the lumbar vertebrae

• Limit rotation to protect IV discs 

• Bear 15% of total weight - 7.5% per joint

what is the funciton of the shape of the thoracic vertebrae

Allows all movement limited by thoracic cage

what is the function of the shape of the cerviacle vertebrae

• Bears 67% of total weight - 33.3% per joint 

• Allows large ROM in all directions

state significance of kyphotic curve in spine 

thoracic/ sacral region = kyphotic (primary/ structural) 

Curve - born like this - curled up

state significance of lordotic curve in spine

Lower back and neck 

• Disc thicker at front than back 

• Contribute to curve and shape of bone 

• Increase shock absorbing function 

• secondary/ functional

• Curve develop with head control for cervical and lumbar when crawl

describe the position of the line of gravity in relation of vertebral collumn

• Line of gravity passes through junctions of normal vertebral column curves 

• Advantageous to us - head control and walking 

• Lordotic in front of line of gravity 

• Kyphotic behind or thoracic 

classify the IV disk 

modified fibrocartilaginous 

what are the components of the IV disk

cartilage end plate, annulus fibrosis, nucleus pulposus

what is the structure of the annulus fibrosis 

alternating layers of dense regular connective tissue

what is function of annulus fibrosis

retain nucleus pulposus, allhow and limit movement (dirrection of fibres)

what is structure of nucleus pulposus

toothpaste like consistency

what is funciton of nucleus pulposus

shock absorber, force distributor 

what is structure of cartilage end plate

cartilage disk, top and bottom

what is function of cartilage end plate

transmits weight, confines nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosis

what is the structure and function of the IV disks in the cervical region of the vertebral collumn 

NP = very small for movement, AF develops horizontal fissures for movement 

what is the structure and function of the IV disks in the thoracic region of the vertebral collumn 

medium size, not as much movement through thoracic cage, weight bearing but limited movement

what is the structure and function of the IV disks in the lumbar region of the vertebral collumn 

AF protect disk and lots of load

classify the Z joints

synovial multiaxial plane

describe the articular capsule for the z joint 

loose but reinforced by ligamentum flavum, and multifidus 

what are funcitons of z joint

to determin direciton of vertebral column movement, range of movemetn and to weight bear

describe the location of anterior longitudinal ligament

anterior surfaces of vertebral bodies

function of anterior longitudinal ligament 

limit extension 

location of posterior longitudinal ligament

posterior surfaces of vertebral bodies

function of posterior longitudinal ligament

limit flexion

location of ligamentum flavum

connects laminae of adjacent vertebrae, attach to anterior part of capsule of z joint

function of ligamentum flavum 

brake flexion, protext z joint 

locaiton of supraspinous ligament

tip of spinous processes from C7 to sacrum

function of supraspinous ligament

limit flexion

location of interspinous ligament 

connect spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae 

function of interspinous ligament

limit flexion

locaiton of intertransverse ligament

connect transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae

function of intertransverse ligament 

limit lateral flexion 

determine extent of movement in cervical region of spine

superior articular facets are tipped forward from the coronal plane, conjunct rotation - ipsilateral coupling with lateral flexion, large range of flexion/extension

determine extent of movement in thoracic region of spine

superior articular facets close to coronal plane, equal ROM in all dirrections, all movements limited cause of ribs 

determine extent of movement in lumbar region of spine

J shaped superior articular facets therefore very limited roation

classify the lateral atlanto-axial joint

synovial multiaxial plane

describe the articular surfaces of the lateral atlanto-axial joints

inferior articular facets of C1, superior articular facets of C2, Z joints 

classify the medial atlanto axial joint

synovial uniaxial pivot

articular surfaces of the medial atlanto axial joint

facet for dens on C1, dens of C2, transcerse ligament of atlas

classify the atlanto occipital joints

synovial biaxial ellipsoid

mvoements at atlanto occipital joint 

flexion extension, lateral flexion and rotaiton 

function of the transverse ligament (atlanto axial joint)

limit anterior glide of C1

funciton of cruciform ligament

limit head flexion

funciton of alar ligament 

limit flexion, lateral flexion , contralateral rotation 

function of textorial membrane

limit flexion of head

describe the articular capsule of the atlanto-occcipital joint

thin and loose

describe ligamentum nuchae

not a true ligamnent , from spinous process of C7 to occipital bone, broad, lots of muscle attachments in neck