Osteology & Articulations of the Spine – Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key bones, joints, ligaments, vascular supply, and curvatures discussed in Dr. Moffett’s lecture on the spine.

Vertebral Column

The 33-bone axial structure that supports the body, protects the spinal cord, and allows trunk and head mobility.

Vertebra

A single spinal bone composed of a body and arch that surrounds the spinal cord.

Vertebrae

Plural of vertebra; the serial bones forming the spinal column.

Cervical Vertebrae

Seven superior vertebrae (C1–C7) distinguished by small bodies, transverse foramina, and high mobility.

Thoracic Vertebrae

Twelve mid-back vertebrae (T1–T12) bearing costal facets for rib articulation and long, inferior-sloping spinous processes.

Lumbar Vertebrae

Five lower-back vertebrae (L1–L5) with large bodies, sagittally oriented facets, and short, sturdy processes.

Sacrum

Five fused vertebrae forming a wedge-shaped bone that articulates with the pelvis and continues the vertebral canal.

Coccyx

Usually four fused coccygeal vertebrae forming the small terminal ‘tailbone’ at the base of the spine.

Atlas (C1)

First cervical vertebra lacking a body; supports the skull and forms the atlanto-occipital ‘yes’ joint.

Axis (C2)

Second cervical vertebra featuring the dens (odontoid process) that forms a pivot for skull rotation.

Vertebra Prominens (C7)

Seventh cervical vertebra with the longest non-bifid spinous process, palpable at the neck base.

Foramen Transversarium

Opening in C1–C7 transverse processes transmitting vertebral vessels (artery C1–C6, vein C1–C7).

Bifid Spinous Process

Y-shaped cervical spinous tip providing extra surface for the nuchal ligament and muscle attachment.

Costal Facet

Thoracic vertebral surface on the body or transverse process that articulates with a rib head or tubercle.

Demifacet

Half-facet on T2–T9 bodies; two adjacent demifacets form a complete articular surface for rib heads.

Costotransverse Joint

Synovial articulation between a rib tubercle and the transverse process of T1–T10 (absent at T11–T12).

Vertebral Body (Centrum)

Anterior, weight-bearing portion of a vertebra; separated by intervertebral discs.

Vertebral Arch

Posterior bony ring (pedicles + laminae) that encloses the vertebral foramen and protects the spinal cord.

Pedicle

Short bony pillar connecting the vertebral body to the arch.

Lamina

Flat posterior part of the arch joining pedicle to spinous process.

Spinous Process

Midline posterior projection serving as a muscle and ligament attachment site; palpable in most regions.

Transverse Process

Paired lateral projections for muscle attachment and, in thoracic vertebrae, rib articulation.

Superior Articular Facet

Facet on a vertebra that articulates with the inferior facet of the vertebra above.

Inferior Articular Facet

Facet on a vertebra that articulates with the superior facet of the vertebra below.

Mamillary Process

Small posterior projection on lumbar superior articular processes; origin site for multifidus muscle.

Costal Process

Embryologic rib element that becomes transverse processes in cervical/lumbar regions or true ribs in thorax.

Intervertebral Disc

Fibrocartilaginous symphysis between vertebral bodies acting as a shock absorber and mobility unit.

Annulus Fibrosus

Tough concentric lamellae forming the outer ring of an intervertebral disc.

Nucleus Pulposus

Gelatinous central portion of an intervertebral disc that redistributes compressive forces.

Uncovertebral Joint (of Luschka)

Small synovial-like joints between uncinate processes on cervical vertebral bodies; guide cervical motion.

Zygapophyseal (Facet) Joint

Synovial joint between superior and inferior articular facets; guides and limits spinal movement.

Vertebral Foramen

Central canal within each vertebra through which the spinal cord passes.

Intervertebral Foramen

Lateral opening formed by two adjacent vertebrae allowing exit of spinal nerves and dorsal root ganglia.

Lordosis

Anteriorly convex (posteriorly concave) spinal curvature, normal in cervical and lumbar regions.

Kyphosis

Posteriorly convex (anteriorly concave) spinal curvature, normal in thoracic and sacral regions.

Scoliosis

Pathological lateral curvature of the vertebral column often accompanied by vertebral rotation.

Primary Curvature

Kyphotic curve present in fetal spine and retained in thoracic & sacral regions.

Secondary Curvature

Lordotic curve that develops postnatally in cervical (head lifting) and lumbar (standing) regions.

Atlanto-Occipital Joint

Synovial joint between atlas and occipital condyles permitting ‘yes’ (flexion-extension) head movement.

Atlanto-Axial Joint

Median pivot and paired facet joints between atlas and axis enabling ‘no’ (rotation) movement.

Dens (Odontoid Process)

Upward bony projection from C2 forming the pivot for rotation with C1.

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

Strong ligament on anterior vertebral bodies that limits spinal extension.

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Ligament on posterior vertebral bodies within the canal; limits flexion.

Ligamentum Flavum

Elastic ligament connecting adjacent laminae; assists recoil from flexion.

Supraspinous Ligament

Ligament connecting tips of spinous processes C7 to sacrum; continues superiorly as nuchal ligament.

Interspinous Ligament

Thin ligament between adjacent spinous processes; limits flexion.

Nuchal Ligament

Broad fibroelastic sheet from external occipital protuberance to C7 spinous process separating neck muscles.

Tectorial Membrane

Superior continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament covering the dens and cruciate ligament.

Cruciate Ligament (of Atlas)

Cross-shaped ligament (transverse + longitudinal parts) stabilizing the dens against C1.

Alar Ligament

Paired ligaments from dens to occipital condyles that limit excessive rotation.

Transverse Ligament of Atlas

Horizontal band of cruciate ligament securing the dens against the anterior arch of C1.

Anterior Atlanto-Occipital Membrane

Superior continuation of anterior longitudinal ligament between anterior arch of C1 and occiput.

Posterior Atlanto-Occipital Membrane

Continuation of ligamentum flavum between posterior arch of C1 and occiput.

Sacral Canal

Continuation of the vertebral canal within the sacrum containing cauda equina and dural sac.

Sacral Hiatus

Inferior opening of the sacral canal where coccygeal nerves exit; site for caudal epidural access.

Ventral Sacral Foramina

Anterior sacral openings transmitting ventral rami of sacral spinal nerves.

Dorsal Sacral Foramina

Posterior sacral openings transmitting dorsal rami of sacral spinal nerves.

Median Sacral Crest

Midline posterior ridge of fused sacral spinous processes.

Intermediate Sacral Crest

Posterior sacral ridge lateral to median crest formed by fused articular processes.

Lateral Sacral Crest

Posterior sacral ridge lateral to dorsal foramina formed by fused transverse processes.

Radiate Ligament (of Rib)

Ligament binding a rib head to bodies of adjacent thoracic vertebrae and disc.

Costotransverse Ligament

Ligament securing rib neck to the transverse process of corresponding thoracic vertebra.

Anterior Radicular Artery

Segmental branch supplying ventral roots, anterior medullary arteries, and anterior spinal artery.

Posterior Radicular Artery

Segmental branch supplying dorsal roots of spinal nerves.

Vertebral Venous Plexus

Valve-less internal and external veins along the spine providing routes for bidirectional blood flow and metastasis.

Basivertebral Veins

Veins running through vertebral bodies connecting internal and external vertebral venous plexuses.

Intervertebral Disc Herniation

Protrusion of nucleus pulposus through annulus fibrosus potentially compressing spinal nerves.

Posterolateral Herniation

Common disc herniation direction just lateral to posterior longitudinal ligament affecting exiting roots.

Spinal Nerve

Mixed nerve formed by dorsal and ventral roots that exits the vertebral canal via an intervertebral foramen.

Dorsal Root Ganglion

Sensory neuron cell body cluster located within or just medial to an intervertebral foramen.

Cauda Equina

Bundle of lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal nerve roots within the distal vertebral canal.

Lordotic Curve

Anteriorly convex curvature typical of cervical and lumbar regions.

Kyphotic Curve

Posteriorly convex curvature typical of thoracic and sacral regions.