Back and Spinal Cord – Lecture Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key anatomical structures, ligaments, joints, curvatures, neurovascular elements, and muscles of the back and spinal cord covered in the lecture.

Vertebral Column

Bony axis protecting the spinal cord, supporting body weight, providing flexibility and posture.

Cervical Vertebrae (C1–C7)

First seven vertebrae; small bodies, transverse foramina, greatest mobility.

Thoracic Vertebrae (T1–T12)

Heart-shaped bodies, costal facets for ribs, long inferior-sloping spinous processes.

Lumbar Vertebrae (L1–L5)

Massive kidney-shaped bodies, hatchet-shaped spinous processes, bear most weight.

Sacrum

Five fused vertebrae forming a wedge between hip bones; features sacral hiatus and crests.

Coccyx

Rudimentary tailbone formed by fused coccygeal vertebrae.

Atlas (C1)

Ring-shaped vertebra lacking body/spinous process; supports the skull.

Axis (C2)

Strongest cervical vertebra; possesses dens acting as pivot for head rotation.

Dens (Odontoid Process)

Superior projection from axis body; articulates with atlas for “no” motion.

Vertebra Prominens (C7)

Cervical vertebra with long, palpable spinous process.

Vertebral Body

Anterior weight-bearing portion of a vertebra covered by hyaline cartilage.

Vertebral Arch

Posterior part formed by pedicles and laminae; encloses vertebral foramen.

Pedicle

Short bony process projecting posteriorly from vertebral body to arch.

Lamina

Flat plate forming posterior part of vertebral arch.

Spinous Process

Median posterior projection for ligament and muscle attachment.

Transverse Process

Lateral projections from vertebral arch for muscle and ligament attachment.

Articular Process

Superior and inferior projections forming zygapophysial (facet) joints.

Intervertebral Foramen

Opening between adjacent pedicles for passage of spinal nerves and vessels.

Zygapophysial (Facet) Joint

Synovial joint between articular processes controlling vertebral motion.

Intervertebral Disc

Fibrocartilaginous cushion between vertebral bodies providing flexibility and shock absorption.

Anulus Fibrosus

Concentric fibrocartilage layers forming disc’s outer ring.

Nucleus Pulposus

Gelatinous water-rich core of disc; dries with age causing height loss.

Kyphosis

Anteriorly concave (posteriorly convex) curvature; normal in thoracic/sacral regions.

Lordosis

Posteriorly concave (anteriorly convex) curvature; normal in cervical/lumbar areas.

Scoliosis

Abnormal lateral curvature with vertebral rotation.

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

Strong band along anterior vertebral bodies; limits extension.

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Ligament on posterior vertebral bodies; resists hyperflexion and disc herniation.

Ligamenta Flava

Elastic ligaments connecting laminae; prevent abrupt flexion.

Interspinous Ligament

Thin ligament joining adjacent spinous processes.

Supraspinous Ligament

Strong ligament along tips of spinous processes; continuous with nuchal ligament.

Nuchal Ligament

Fibro-elastic extension of supraspinous ligament in neck; muscle attachment site.

Intertransverse Ligament

Connects adjacent transverse processes; limits lateral flexion.

Atlanto-Occipital Joint

Synovial joint between atlas and occipital condyles; permits nodding "yes."

Atlantoaxial Joint

Joint complex between atlas and axis allowing head rotation "no."

Cruciate Ligament (of Atlas)

Transverse ligament plus vertical bands stabilizing dens against anterior arch.

Alar Ligament

Paired ligaments linking dens to foramen magnum; limit head rotation.

Tectorial Membrane

Superior continuation of posterior longitudinal ligament over dens and ligaments.

Thoracolumbar Fascia

Thick multilayered deep fascia covering intrinsic back muscles in thoracic/lumbar regions.

Superficial Fascia

Subcutaneous connective tissue layer containing fat, nerves, superficial vessels.

Trapezius

Large superficial back muscle elevating, retracting, rotating scapula; innervated by accessory nerve.

Latissimus Dorsi

Broad muscle extending, adducting, internally rotating humerus; supplied by thoracodorsal nerve.

Levator Scapulae

Muscle elevating and downward-rotating scapula; dorsal scapular & C3-C4 nerves.

Rhomboid Major

Muscle adducting, elevating, downward-rotating scapula; dorsal scapular nerve.

Rhomboid Minor

Smaller rhomboid with similar function and innervation as rhomboid major.

Serratus Posterior Superior

Thin respiratory muscle elevating ribs 2–5; ventral rami T2–T5.

Serratus Posterior Inferior

Muscle depressing lower four ribs; ventral rami T9–T12.

Triangle of Auscultation

Back area bordered by trapezius, latissimus dorsi, scapula; optimal for breath sounds.

Lumbar Triangle

Weak posterior abdominal wall area bounded by iliac crest, latissimus dorsi, external oblique.

Splenius Capitis

Bandage-like muscle extending and rotating head; dorsal rami C3–C6.

Splenius Cervicis

Muscle extending, rotating, laterally bending neck; dorsal rami C4–C8.

Erector Spinae

Largest intrinsic back muscle mass (iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis) extending spine.

Iliocostalis

Lateral column of erector spinae attaching to ribs; extends and laterally bends spine.

Longissimus

Intermediate erector spinae column reaching mastoid; extends spine and head.

Spinalis

Medial erector spinae column near spinous processes; extends spine.

Semispinalis

Transversospinalis muscle crossing 4–6 segments; extends spine and rotates opposite side.

Multifidus

Deep stabilizer crossing 2–4 segments; prominent in lumbar region.

Rotatores

Small deepest transversospinalis muscles; proprioception, spine rotation.

Interspinales

Short muscles between spinous processes; assist extension/rotation.

Intertransversarii

Muscles between transverse processes; aid lateral flexion & stabilization.

Levatores Costarum

Small muscles elevating ribs and aiding lateral flexion; dorsal rami C8–T11.

Suboccipital Triangle

Space bounded by rectus capitis posterior major and obliquus capitis muscles housing vertebral artery & C1 nerve.

Rectus Capitis Posterior Major

Suboccipital muscle extending and rotating head; suboccipital nerve.

Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor

Midline suboccipital muscle extending head; suboccipital nerve.

Obliquus Capitis Superior

Muscle extending and laterally bending head; suboccipital nerve.

Obliquus Capitis Inferior

Muscle rotating atlas and head same side; suboccipital nerve.

Suboccipital Nerve (C1)

Dorsal ramus of C1 providing motor to suboccipital muscles.

Greater Occipital Nerve (C2)

Dorsal ramus of C2 providing cutaneous innervation to posterior scalp.

Medullary Cone (Conus Medullaris)

Tapered distal end of spinal cord near L1–L2.

Cauda Equina

Bundle of lumbar & sacral nerve roots within vertebral canal inferior to conus.

Epidural Space

Fat-filled space between vertebral canal and dura mater.

Subarachnoid Space

CSF-filled space between arachnoid and pia mater.

Lumbar Cistern

Enlarged subarachnoid space below L2; site of lumbar puncture.

Anterior Spinal Artery

Single midline artery supplying anterior two-thirds of spinal cord.

Posterior Spinal Arteries

Paired arteries supplying posterior third of spinal cord.

Segmental Medullary Arteries

Reinforcing vessels from cervical, intercostal, lumbar branches feeding spinal cord.

Thoracodorsal Nerve

C6–C8 branch of brachial plexus innervating latissimus dorsi.

Accessory Nerve (CN XI)

Cranial nerve supplying motor fibers to trapezius.

Ligamentum Nuchae

Expanded supraspinous ligament in cervical region supporting head weight.

Vertebral Column

Bony axis protecting the spinal cord, supporting body weight, providing flexibility and posture.

Cervical Vertebrae (C1–C7)

First seven vertebrae; small bodies, transverse foramina, greatest mobility.

Thoracic Vertebrae (T1–T12)

Heart-shaped bodies, costal facets for ribs, long inferior-sloping spinous processes.

Lumbar Vertebrae (L1–L5)

Massive kidney-shaped bodies, hatchet-shaped spinous processes, bear most weight.

Sacrum

Five fused vertebrae forming a wedge between hip bones; features sacral hiatus and crests.

Coccyx

Rudimentary tailbone formed by fused coccygeal vertebrae.

Atlas (C1)

Ring-shaped vertebra lacking body/spinous process; supports the skull.

Axis (C2)

Strongest cervical vertebra; possesses dens acting as pivot for head rotation.

Dens (Odontoid Process)

Superior projection from axis body; articulates with atlas for “no” motion.

Vertebra Prominens (C7)

Cervical vertebra with long, palpable spinous process.

Vertebral Body

Anterior weight-bearing portion of a vertebra covered by hyaline cartilage.

Vertebral Arch

Posterior part formed by pedicles and laminae; encloses vertebral foramen.

Pedicle

Short bony process projecting posteriorly from vertebral body to arch.

Lamina

Flat plate forming posterior part of vertebral arch.

Spinous Process

Median posterior projection for ligament and muscle attachment.

Transverse Process

Lateral projections from vertebral arch for muscle and ligament attachment.

Articular Process

Superior and inferior projections forming zygapophysial (facet) joints.

Intervertebral Foramen

Opening between adjacent pedicles for passage of spinal nerves and vessels.

Zygapophysial (Facet) Joint

Synovial joint between articular processes controlling vertebral motion.

Intervertebral Disc

Fibrocartilaginous cushion between vertebral bodies providing flexibility and shock absorption.

Anulus Fibrosus

Concentric fibrocartilage layers forming disc’s outer ring.

Nucleus Pulposus

Gelatinous water-rich core of disc; dries with age causing height loss.