Osteology & Articulations of the Spine – Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key bones, joints, ligaments, blood vessels, and anatomical features discussed in the lecture on spinal osteology and articulations.

Vertebra

Single bone of the spinal column composed of a body and arch

Vertebrae

Plural of vertebra; 33 bones forming the spine

Vertebral Body (Centrum)

Anterior, weight-bearing portion of a vertebra

Vertebral Arch (Neural Arch)

Posterior ring of bone protecting the spinal cord

Pedicle

Short bony stalk connecting vertebral body to arch

Lamina

Flat part of arch between pedicle and spinous process

Spinous Process

Posterior projection; palpable midline ‘spine’

Transverse Process

Lateral projection for muscle and ligament attachment

Superior Articular Process

Upward-facing process forming facet joint with vertebra above

Inferior Articular Process

Downward-facing process forming facet joint with vertebra below

Articular Facet

Smooth cartilage-covered surface on an articular process

Costal Process

Embryonic rib element; becomes ribs in thoracic region or part of transverse process elsewhere

Foramen Transversarium

Hole in cervical transverse process transmitting vertebral vessels

Cervical Vertebra (Typical)

Small body, bifid spinous process, transverse foramen, horizontal facets

Atlas (C1)

First cervical vertebra; no body, supports skull, enables ‘yes’ movement

Axis (C2)

Second cervical vertebra with dens allowing ‘no’ rotation

Dens (Odontoid Process)

Peg-like projection of C2 acting as pivot for C1

Vertebra Prominens (C7)

Cervical vertebra with long non-bifid spinous process visible on skin

Thoracic Vertebra

Heart-shaped body, costal facets, long inferior spinous process

Costal Facet

Complete facet on thoracic vertebra articulating with rib head or tubercle

Demifacet

Half-facet on thoracic body; rib head articulates between two vertebrae

Costotransverse Joint

Synovial joint between rib tubercle and transverse process

Lumbar Vertebra

Large oval body, vertical sagittal facets, short stout spinous process

Mamillary Process

Posterior projection on lumbar superior articular process for multifidus attachment

Sacrum

Five fused vertebrae forming wedge between hip bones

Coccyx

Tailbone of 3–5 fused coccygeal vertebrae

Sacral Canal

Continuation of vertebral canal within sacrum

Sacral Hiatus

Inferior opening of sacral canal for coccygeal nerves

Ventral Sacral Foramina

Anterior openings transmitting ventral rami of sacral nerves

Dorsal Sacral Foramina

Posterior openings transmitting dorsal rami of sacral nerves

Auricular Surface

Ear-shaped articular area of sacrum for ilium

Median Sacral Crest

Midline ridge from fused spinous processes

Intermediate Sacral Crest

Ridge medial to dorsal foramina from fused articular processes

Lateral Sacral Crest

Ridge lateral to dorsal foramina from fused transverse processes

Lordosis

Anteriorly convex spinal curve (cervical, lumbar)

Kyphosis

Posteriorly convex spinal curve (thoracic, sacral)

Scoliosis

Pathological lateral curvature of spine

Intervertebral Disc (IVD)

Fibrocartilaginous symphysis between vertebral bodies

Annulus Fibrosus

Tough outer ring of concentric lamellae in IVD

Nucleus Pulposus

Gelatinous central core of IVD acting as shock absorber

Uncovertebral Joint (Luschka)

Small joints between lateral cervical vertebral bodies

Zygapophyseal (Facet) Joint

Synovial joint between articular processes of adjacent vertebrae

Intervertebral Foramen

Opening formed by notches of adjacent vertebrae for spinal nerve exit

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL)

Ligament along anterior vertebral bodies; limits extension

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL)

Ligament along posterior vertebral bodies; limits flexion

Ligamentum Flavum

Elastic ligament connecting laminae; aids recoil from flexion

Interspinous Ligament

Ligament between adjacent spinous processes

Supraspinous Ligament

Ligament connecting tips of spinous processes C7–sacrum

Nuchal Ligament

Expanded supraspinous ligament in cervical region attaching skull to C7

Tectorial Membrane

Superior continuation of PLL over atlanto-occipital region

Cruciate Ligament of Atlas

Cross-shaped ligament binding dens to atlas

Transverse Ligament of Atlas

Horizontal band securing dens against anterior arch of C1

Alar Ligament

Paired ‘wing’ ligaments from dens to occipital condyles limiting rotation

Apical Ligament of Dens

Ligament from dens tip to foramen magnum

Atlanto-Occipital Joint

Synovial joint between occipital condyles and C1; ‘yes’ motion

Atlanto-Axial Joint

Median pivot and lateral facet joints between C1 & C2; ‘no’ motion

Radiate Ligament

Ligament anchoring rib head to thoracic vertebral body

Anterior Radicular Artery

Branch supplying ventral roots and anterior spinal arteries

Posterior Radicular Artery

Branch supplying dorsal roots

Vertebral Artery

Artery ascending through C1–C6 transverse foramina to brain

Vertebral Venous Plexus

Valve-less venous network inside and outside vertebral column allowing bidirectional flow

Disk Herniation

Protrusion of nucleus pulposus through annulus causing nerve compression

Costal Element

Embryonic rib precursor part of vertebral transverse process

Facet Orientation – Cervical

Oblique facets enabling flexion, extension, and lateral flexion

Facet Orientation – Thoracic

Coronal vertical facets permitting primarily lateral flexion

Facet Orientation – Lumbar

Sagittal vertical facets favoring flexion and extension

Cauda Equina

Bundle of spinal nerve roots in lumbar/sacral canal below L1

Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG)

Cluster of sensory neuron bodies within intervertebral foramen

Costotransverse Ligament

Ligament securing rib neck to transverse process

Spinal Curvatures – Primary

Kyphotic curves present in fetus (thoracic & sacral)

Spinal Curvatures – Secondary

Lordotic curves developing postnatally (cervical & lumbar)