PAS510 Advanced Human Anatomy I – Back Anatomy and Clinical Correlations

These flashcards cover essential topics about human anatomy focused on the back, including anatomical structures, clinical correlations, and functionalities, aiding in the review for the PAS510 exam.

What are the major components of the back studied in this course?

Skin, muscles, vertebral column (bones, intervertebral discs, ligaments), proximal parts of ribs, spinal cord, segmental nerves.

What are the characteristics of the vertebral column?

It consists of 33 vertebrae: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 fused sacral, and 4 fused coccygeal.

What are primary and secondary curvatures of the vertebral column?

Primary curvatures are kyphoses (thoracic and sacral) and secondary curvatures are lordoses (cervical and lumbar).

What is the general structure of a vertebra?

Vertebral body, pedicle, lamina, vertebral arch, spinous process, superior/inferior articular processes, articular facets, vertebral notch, vertebral foramen, intervertebral foramen.

What is spina bifida?

A condition resulting from incomplete closure of the posterior neural arch during embryonic development, possibly leading to paralysis and other neurologic symptoms.

What are the clinical correlations of curvature abnormalities of the spine?

Scoliosis (lateral curvature), excessive kyphosis (commonly due to osteoporosis), and excessive lordosis (from weak abdominal muscles or obesity).

What is osteoporosis?

A metabolic bone disease where calcium balance favors resorption, leading to weakened and brittle bones.

What are the characteristics of cervical vertebrae?

Small vertebral bodies, bifid spinous processes, transverse foramina, and uncinate processes.

What distinguishes the atlas and axis vertebrae?

They have unique structural features that enable rotation and support of the skull.

What are the three types of intervertebral articulations?

Symphyses between vertebral bodies and planar synovial joints between articular processes.

What is the function of intervertebral discs?

They allow movement between vertebrae and function as shock absorbers.

What ligaments support intervertebral joints?

Anterior longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, ligamentum flavum, supraspinous ligament, and interspinous ligaments.

What are craniovertebral joints?

Joints between the head and the vertebral column, specifically the atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial joints.

What is the cauda equina?

A bundle of lower lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal nerve roots in the lumbar cistern.

What are the layers of spinal meninges?

Dura mater (outermost), arachnoid mater (middle), and pia mater (innermost).

What is the purpose of a lumbar puncture?

To sample cerebrospinal fluid for analysis, typically performed between L3-L4 or L4-L5.

What is the role of the intrinsic back muscles?

To act on the vertebral column for posture maintenance and control of movements.

What is the function of the posterior rami of spinal nerves?

They give rise to muscular branches to deep back muscles and cutaneous branches for sensation.

What clinical correlation is associated with the zygapophysial joints?

Injury or disease can lead to radiculopathy due to compression of adjacent nerve roots.

What role does the blood supply play for the vertebral column?

It is segmented, primarily arising from the aorta and vertebral arteries, supplying the vertebrae, spinal cord, and related structures.