Anatomy Back Table

Cervical Vertebrae - Vertebral Body

Small and wider from side to side than anteroposteriorly, superior surface concave with uncus of body (uncinate process), inferior surface convex

Function: Support of body weight

Cervical Vertebrae - Vertebral Foramen

Large and triangular

Cervical Vertebrae - Transverse Processes

Foramina transversarii and anterior and posterior tubercles, vertebral arteries and accompanying venous and sympathetic plexuses pass through foramina transversarii of all cervical vertebrae excepted C7, which transmits only small accessory vertebral veins

Cervical Vertebrae - Articular Processes

Superior facets directed superoposteriorly, inferior facets directed infero-anteriorly, obliquely placed facres are most nearly horizontal in this region

Cervical Vertebrae - Spinous Processes

Short (C3-C5) and bifid (C3-C6), process of C6 long, that of C7 is longer (thus C7 is called “vertebra prominens”)

Thoracic Vertebrae - Vertebral Body

Heart shaped, 1 or 2 costal facets for articulation with head of rib

Thoracic Vertebrae - Vertebral Foramen

Circular and smaller than those of cervical and lumbar vertebrae (admits the distal part of a medium-size index finger)

Thoracic Vertebrae - Transverse Processes

Long and strong and extend posterolaterally, length diminishes from T1-T12 (T1-T10 have facets for articulation with tubercle of rib)

Thoracic Vertebrae - Articular Processes

Nearly vertical articular facets, superior facets directed posteriorly and slightly laterally, inferior facets directed anteriorly and slightly medially, planes of facets lie on an arc centered in the vertebral body

Thoracic Vertebrae - Spinous Processes

Long, slope postero-inferiorly, tips extend to the level of vertebral body below

Lumbar Vertebrae - Vertebral Body

Massive, kidney shaped when viewed superiorly

Lumbar Vertebrae - Vertebral Foramen

Triangular, larger than in thoracic vertebrae and smaller than in cervical vertebrae

Lumbar Vertebrae - Transverse Processes

Long and slender, accessory process on posterior surface of base of each process

Lumbar Vertebrae - Articular Processes

Nearly vertical facets, superior facets directed posteromedially (or medially), inferior facets directed anterolaterally (or laterally), mammillary process on posterior surface of each superior articular process

Lumbar Vertebrae - Spinous Processes

Short and sturdy, thick, broad, and hatchet shaped

What is the proximal attachment of the splenius (superifical layer of intrinsic back muscles)?

Nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7-T6 vertebrae

What is the distal attachment of the splenius (superifical layer of intrinsic back muscles)?

Splenius capitis: fibers run superolaterally to mastoid process of temporal bone and lateral third of superior nuchal line of occipital bone

Splenius cervicis: tubercles of transverse processes of C1-C3 or C4 vertebrae

What is the nerve supply of the splenius (superifical layer of intrinsic back muscles)?

Posterior rami of spinal nerves

What are the main actions of the splenius (superifical layer of intrinsic back muscles)?

Acting alone: laterally flex neck and rotate head to side of active muscles

Acting together: extend head and neck