Lecture 1 & 2 - Vertebral Column

Where do spinal nerves exit the vertebral canal at each vertebral level

Intervertebral Foramina

What provides a safe space for the spinal cord and spinal nerves to live

Vertebral column

Muscle function via ___ nerves, sensation via ___ nerves

Motor, cutaneous

Proximal

towards origin

Distal

away from origin

How many cervical vertebrae

7

How many thoracic vertebrae

12

How many lumbar vertebrae

5

What do intervertebral discs do

Add some length/movement to vertebral column

What is the circled part and the bean part below it

Vertebral foramen and vertebral arch, vertebral body

What do multiple vertebral foramina make

Vertebral canal

What are the two parts that make up the vertebral arch and how many

2 Pedicles and 2 laminae

What are these two structures

Lamina and pedicle

Where does the pedicle extend from

Posterior aspect of vertebral body

What are the locations of the 7 processes of the vertebral arch

Pedicle meet lamina (3×2 processes), laminae meet posteriorly

What is the process where the 2 laminae meet posteriorly

Spinous process

What are the 2 processes labelled

Transverse and Articular

How many of Transverse and Articular processes are there

2 Transverse, 4 Articular (superior and inferior)

What are intervertebral foramen

Space through which spinal nerve exits the vertebral canal

What makes up the intervertebral foramen

Superior notch and inferior notch

What characterizes the C1 - Atlas

Semi-circle and oval shaped

What structure characterizes C2 - Axis

Dens projecting upward

What function do C1 and C2 aid in

Nodding our head

What 2 things tell us this is cervical

Bifid spinous process and foramen of the transverse process

Why do cervical vertebrae have foramen of the transverse process

For blood vessels to travel to the brain

What tells us this is thoracic vertebrae

Long spinous process, heart shaped, looks like a giraffe

What are these 2 facets called for the ribs

Facet for Tubercle of Rib and Demi-facet for Head of Rib

What does the Tubercle of the rib articulate with

Facet on Transverse Process of Thoracic Vertebrae

What does the Head of rib articulate with

Facet (demi-facet) on body of thoracic vertebrae

What tells us this is a lumbar veterbae

Bean shaped body, square spinous process, kidney-shaped body, large, looks like a moose

What are the 3 areas labelled

Sacral canal, intervertebral foramina (anterior), coccyx

What is the purpose of the intervertebral foramina in the sacrum

Route that the spinal nerves exit the sacrum

What are the 3 areas of the crest called

Intermediate, medial, lateral

Which processes are associated with median, intermediate and lateral in order

Spinous, articulate, transverse

Function of Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

Limits extension of the vertebral column (leaning back)

Function of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Prevents hyperflexion of vertebral column (leaning forward)

What is this structure

Zygapophysial (Facet) joint

Where is the Zygapophysial joint located and what is its function

Between superior and inferior Articular Processes of two adjacent vertebrae

Permit gliding movements between Articular Processes

What are these accessory ligaments

Interspinous ligament between spinous processes, supraspinous ligament

What are Ligamentum Nuchae - Accessory ligaments

Cervical extension of Supraspinous Ligament

What are Ligamentum Flavum - Accessory ligaments

Join laminae of adjacent vertabrae

What is the Intertransverse Ligament connecting

Transverse processes