The Vertebral Column Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy, joints, ligaments, curvatures, and clinical conditions of the human vertebral column based on lecture notes.

Vertebral Column

A rigid bony column extending from the base of the skull to the coccyx that protects the spinal cord and nerves and supports the body weight.

Vertebrae Distribution

The vertebral column is composed of $33$ vertebrae: $7$ cervical, $12$ thoracic, $5$ lumbar, $5$ sacral, and $4$ coccygeal.

Parts of a Typical Vertebra

Components include the Body and the Vertebral/Neural Arch, which consists of the pedicle, lamina, superior and inferior articular processes, transverse process, spinous process, vertebral foramen, and intervertebral foramen.

Transverse Foramen

A feature of cervical vertebrae; from $C1$ to $C6$ they transmit the vertebral artery and vein, while $C7$ transmits only the vertebral vein.

Carotid Tubercle

The name given to the anterior tubercle of the $C6$ vertebra.

Vertebra Prominens

The $C7$ cervical vertebra, characterized by its most prominent spinous process.

Atlas ($C1$)

The first cervical vertebra which has no body or spine and possesses arches instead.

Axis ($C2$)

The second cervical vertebra which features a dens (odontoid process) that serves as a pivot for head rotation.

Thoracic Vertebrae

Vertebrae characterized by having facets for articulation with the ribs.

Lumbar Vertebrae

The largest and strongest vertebrae, which lack transverse foramina and costal facets.

Sacrum

A structure formed by the fusion of $5$ sacral vertebrae, featuring the median sacral crest, sacral canal, sacral hiatus, and sacral promontory.

Intervertebral Disc Composition

Each disc has an outer fibrous ring called the annulus fibrosus and an inner jelly-like elastic core called the nucleus pulposus.

Zygapophyseal Joints

Synovial joints located between the articular facets on the vertebral arches.

Atlanto-Occipital Joint

A synovial joint that permits the "Yes" nodding movement/flexion-extension of the head.

Atlanto-Axial Joints

Synovial pivot joints (two lateral and one median) that permit "No" side-to-side rotation of the head.

Transverse Ligament of Atlas

The ligament that holds the dens in position; rupture leads to dislocation of the dens.

Alar Ligament

The ligament responsible for limiting the rotation of the head.

Primary Curvatures

Thoracic and sacral curves that are concave anteriorly and present at birth due to fetal position.

Secondary Curvatures

Cervical and lumbar curves that are convex anteriorly and develop after birth.

Kyphosis

An abnormal curvature described as an excess of thoracic curvature (roundback).

Lordosis

An abnormal curvature characterized by an exaggerated lumbar curve.

Scoliosis

An abnormal curvature characterized by an excess of lateral curvature of the spine.

Compression Fractures

A collapse of the vertebral body commonly caused by osteoporosis, trauma, or tumor, frequently occurring at $C7$ and $T1$.

Jefferson Fracture

A four-part fracture of the ring of $C1$ caused by a fall on the vertex.

Hangman Fracture

A bipedicle fracture of $C2$ caused by hyperextension of the head on the neck, often resulting in quadriplegia or death.

C7 Landmark

The vertebra prominens.

T3 Landmark

The root of the spine of the scapula.

T7 Landmark

The inferior angle of the scapula.

L4 Landmark

A horizontal line between the highest points of the iliac crests passes through the spine of the $L4$ vertebra.

Nucleus Pulposus

The core of the IV disc which is about $88\%$ water at birth and receives nourishment via diffusion as it is avascular.

Spinal Nerves Count

There are $31$ pairs total: $8$ cervical, $12$ thoracic, $5$ lumbar, $5$ sacral, and $1$ coccygeal.

Sciatica

Pain radiating from the lower back and hip down the back of the thigh into the leg, often caused by a herniated disc compressing $L5$ or $S1$ components of the sciatic nerve.

Spondylosis

A degenerative disorder of the spine causing bony spur (osteophyte) formation.

Spondylolysis

A fracture of the lamina between the articular processes, often called a "Scottie dog fracture" radiologically.

Spondylolisthesis

The slipping of the $L5$ vertebra over the $S1$ of the sacrum, usually secondary to spondylolysis.