Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Anatomy Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the boney anatomy, joints, ligaments, and musculature of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine as described in the lecture notes.

Atlas ($C1$)

The first cervical vertebra, which lacks a vertebral body and serves as a cradle for the occiput.

Axis ($C2$)

The second cervical vertebra, characterized by the dens or odontoid process which acts as a pivot.

Vertebra Prominens ($C7$)

The seventh cervical vertebra, noted for its long and easily palpable spinous process.

Hyoid Bone

A floating bone in the anterior neck that does not articulate with any other bone and is suspended by muscles to help keep the airway open.

Intervertebral Foramen

The exit point for spinal nerve roots, formed by notches on the inferior and superior surfaces of the anterior pedicles.

Thoracic Vertebrae

Vertebrae characterized by heart-shaped bodies, costal facets on the transverse processes, and inferiorly sloped spinous processes.

True Ribs

Ribs $1-7$, which have direct anterior attachments to the sternum.

False Ribs

Ribs $8-10$, which attach to the superior costal cartilage rather than directly to the sternum.

Floating Ribs

Ribs $11$ and $12$, which have no anterior attachment.

Lumbar Vertebrae

Vertebrae with larger, kidney-shaped bodies and triangular vertebral foramina, with facet joints oriented in the sagittal plane.

Pars interarticularis

The space between the articulating surfaces of the lamina and pedicle; it is a common site for stress fractures like spondylolysis.

Atlanto-occipital joint

A condyloid joint with $2$ degrees of freedom that allows for the head motion used to signal "yes" (flexion/extension).

Atlanto-axial joint

A pivot joint with $1$ degree of freedom in the transverse plane that allows for the head motion used to signal "no" (rotation).

Anterior longitudinal ligament

A broad, thick ligament running from the occiput to the sacrum that attaches to the anterior vertebral bodies and limits spinal extension.

Posterior longitudinal ligament

A ligament that lines the anterior portion of the vertebral canal and limits flexion of the spine.

Ligamentum Flavum

The ligament forming the posterior margin of the vertebral canal that connects the laminae of consecutive vertebrae.

Ligamentum nuchae

The cervical portion of the supraspinous ligament that restricts flexion.

Linea Alba

A fibrous structure running from the xiphoid process to the pubic symphysis, formed by the gathering of the aponeuroses of all abdominal muscles.

Erector Spinae Group

A muscle group extending from the sacrum to the occiput consisting of the Iliocostalis (lateral), Longissimus (intermediate), and Spinalis (medial).

Multifidus

A transversospinalis muscle that spans $2-4$ levels, is thickest in the lumbar region, and rotates the spine to the opposite side.

Rotatores

The deepest transversospinalis muscles, spanning $1-2$ levels, which rotate the spine to the opposite side.

Sternocleidomastoid

A neck muscle that unilaterally rotates the head to the opposite side and laterally flexes the neck, and bilaterally flexes the neck.

Scalene Muscles

A set of three muscles (Anterior, Middle, Posterior) that elevate the ribs and flex the neck; tightness here can lead to thoracic outlet syndrome.

Suboccipital triangle

An anatomical region containing the vertebral artery, the suboccipital nerve, and the greater occipital nerve.

Quadratus Lumborum

A muscle originating from the iliac crest that unilaterally elevates the pelvis (lateral tilt) and assists in trunk extension.

Rectus Abdominis

The vertical abdominal muscle originating at the pubic crest that performs trunk flexion and posterior pelvic tilt.

External Oblique

The most superficial lateral abdominal muscle, which unilaterally rotates the trunk to the opposite side.

Internal Oblique

The abdominal muscle deep to the external oblique that unilaterally rotates the trunk to the same side.

Transverse Abdominis

The deepest layer of the abdominal wall, primarily responsible for abdomen compression.

Diaphragm

The primary muscle of inhalation, innervated by the phrenic nerve ($C3-5$), which increases thoracic cavity volume.