Trunk and Skull Topics for Final Exam

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy of the vertebral column, thorax, skull bones, and associated ligaments and clinical conditions based on the lecture notes.

Vertebral body

The anterior, rounded, weight-bearing section of the vertebral column; it is the only vertebral part that ossifies via endochondral ossification.

Vertebral foramen

The canal that houses the spinal cord, formed by the posterior surface of the body, the lamina, and the pedicles.

Lamina

Two plates of the vertebra that project posteriorly, opposite to the vertebral body.

Pedicle

The part of the vertebra located between the vertebral body and the lamina.

Spinous process

The posterior process of the vertebrae that serves as a site for muscle attachment.

Uncinate process

Superior projections on the lateral borders of the cervical vertebral bodies, used to recognize the superior-posterior direction of the vertebrae.

Anulus fibrosis

The outer ring layer of the fibrocartilaginous intervertebral disc.

Nucleus pulposus

The inner layer of the intervertebral disc, composed mainly of water and type II collagen, representing a remnant of the notochord in adults.

Cervical vertebrae

A group of $7$ vertebrae characterized by small square-shaped bodies, bifid spinous processes, and transverse foramen in their transverse processes.

Thoracic vertebrae

A group of $12$ vertebrae characterized by heart-shaped bodies, rounded vertebral foramina, and costal articulating surfaces for the ribs.

Lumbar vertebrae

A group of $5$ vertebrae characterized by large kidney-shaped bodies, triangular vertebral foramina, and flat spinous processes.

Atlas

The $1^{st}$ vertebra ($C1$) which lacks a vertebral body and consists of lateral masses connected by anterior and posterior arches.

Axis

The $2^{nd}$ vertebra ($C2$) characterized by the dens (odontoid process) which projects superiorly from the body.

Jefferson fracture

A fracture of the anterior arch of the atlas caused by a strong blow to the head that separates the two lateral masses.

Hangman’s fracture

A breakage of the pedicles of the axis that releases the dens to move posteriorly, often causing immediate death due to spinal cord damage.

Kyphosis

A curvature of the spine characterized by dorsal convexity.

Lordosis

A curvature of the spine characterized by ventral convexity.

Ligamentum flava

Yellowish ligaments that connect the laminae of two adjacent vertebrae and serve to prevent hyperflexion.

Nuchal ligament

The thickened continuation of the supraspinous ligament starting from $C1$, connected to the nuchal lines and occipital protuberance.

Promontory

The anterior edge of the base of the sacrum; it serves as a key landmark in clinical practice.

Manubrium

The upper part of the sternum that contains the jugular notch and articulates with the clavicles and the first two pairs of ribs.

Angel of Lui

The sternal angle formed where the manubrium and the body of the sternum meet.

Scalene tubercle

A feature on the superior surface of the $1^{st}$ rib for the attachment of the scalene muscle.

Erector spinae

A compound axial muscle group consisting of three bundles: the lateral iliocostalis, intermediate longissimus, and medial spinalis.

Calvaria

The upper part of the neurocranium formed by the parietal bones and parts of the frontal, occipital, temporal, and sphenoid bones.

Bregma

The anthropometric point on the skull representing the intersection of the coronal and sagittal sutures.

Pterion

The intersection of the coronal and squamous sutures with the greater wing of the sphenoid, identified as the thinnest part of the skull.

Diploe

The middle spongy layer of the flat bones of the calvaria, situated between two compact bone layers.

Crista Galli

The part of the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone that extends beyond the cribriform plate into the anterior cranial fossa.

Turkish saddle

A set of structures (tuberculum sellae, hypophysial fossa, and dorsum sellae) on the superior surface of the sphenoid bone housing the pituitary gland.

Foramen rotundum

A canal in the greater wing of the sphenoid that connects the middle cranial fossa with the pterygopalatine fossa.

Foramen ovale

An opening in the greater wing of the sphenoid that connects the middle cranial fossa to the infratemporal fossa.

Tegmen tympany

The roof of the middle ear or tympanic cavity, located on the anterior surface of the petrous part of the temporal bone.

Clivus

The slope anterior to the foramen magnum formed by the basilar part of the occipital bone and the dorsum sellae of the sphenoid.

Inion

A key anthropometric point located at the area of the external occipital protuberance.

Antrum of Highmore

Another name for the maxillary sinus, which is the paranasal cavity located within the maxilla.

Gomphosis

The fibrous connection between the teeth and the dental alveoli (sockets) of the jaw.

Lingula

A sharp ring-like elevation in the anterior part of the mandibular foramen, used as a landmark for lower jaw anesthesia.

Choanae

The pharyngeal openings of the nasal cavity located between the medial plates of the pterygoid processes.

Semilunar hiatus

A narrow gap in the bony nasal cavity located between the ethmoidal bulla and the uncinate process.