Topic 3.2: Musculoskeletal - Vertebral column

basic subdivisions and regions of vertebral column (5)

1. Cervical

2. Thoracic

3. Lumbar

4. Sacrum

5. Coccyx

major functions of vertebral column (3)

Structure → eg. thoracic cage (ribs) comes off thoracic region

Movement

Protection → eg. spinal cord

changes to curvature form embryonic stage to adulthood

During embryonic stages: primary curvatures = kyphotic

Adulthood: secondary curvatures = lordotic -> develop in cervical and lumbar regions

atypical or abnormal curvatures - excessive lordosis

increased curvature in lumbar region

atypical or abnormal curvatures - excessive kyphosis

increased curvature in thoracic region

atypical or abnormal curvatures - scoliosis

increased lateral curvature

major anatomic landmarks of typical vertebra - list (4)

1. vertebral body

2. vertebral arch

3. spinous and transverse processes

4. articular processes

major anatomic landmarks of typical vertebra - vertebral body (3)

weight bearing

articulate superiorly and inferiorly

epiphyseal ring

major anatomic landmarks of typical vertebra - vertebral arch (3)

pedicles and lamina

forms vertebral foramen

protects spinal cord

major anatomic landmarks of typical vertebra - spinous and transverse processes (2)

Levers for muscle. attachment

Levers for ligamentous attachment

major anatomic landmarks of typical vertebra - articular processes (2)

Projections with articular facets

Articulate superiorly and inferiorly -> joints

function of spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae

extend inferiorly to limit motion

spinous processes of thoracic vs lumbar vertebrae

Spinous processes of lumbar vertebrae is larger than that of thoracic vertebrae because it has more muscle attachment

more muscle and stronger muscles

vertebral foramen - structure

vertebral body and arching off of pedicle and lamina (vertebral arches) creates empty space for spinal cord

vertebral column - def

collection of spaces

stacking of vertebrae results in spinal cord transversing vertebral canal

superior and inferior vertebral notches - structure

incomplete holes above or below pedicle -> forms intervertebral foramen when vertebra stacked

Intervertebral foramen allow spinal nerve roots, dorsal root ganglia and vessels to pass through

vertebral foramen vs superior and inferior vertebral notches - difference

foramen is a empty space within one vertebrae

notch is an empty space created by the articulation of two vertebrae where each has an incomplete hole and stacking together forms an intervertebral forament

labels

intervetrabal joints - def

secondary cartilaginous joint

composed of two components → outer and inner

intervertebral joints - outer component (3)

annulus fibrosus

attaches to epiphyseal ring of vertebra above and below → keeps them together

concentric lamellae of college allows movement in all directions but also restricts excessive rotation

intervertebral joints - inner component (4)

nucleus pulposus

Surrounded by annulus fibrosis laterally

Gelatinous consistency -> can become deformed to absorb shocks and disperses compressive forces without being compressible

Keeps vertebra apart -> helps resist compressive forces 

water content of intervertebral joints over time

reduces → increased incidence of spinal injuries and pain

zygapophyseal joints - def

plane joints (synovial) between inferior and superior articular processes that allow gliding motions to occur

zygapophyseal joints - factor affecting movement and examples (2)

dependent on orientation of articular surface involved

Lumbar vertebra involved in a lot of anterior and posterior movement -> restricted by thoracic cage

Thoracic vertebra allow rotation and some lateral flexion -> restricted by thoracic cage

major vertebral column ligaments

1. anterior longitudinal ligament

2. posterior longitudinal ligament

3. interspinous ligament

4. supraspinous ligament

5. ligamentum flavum

extrinsic muscles of back - feature

attach to and act on back

extrinsic muscles of back - list (5)

• Trapezius

• Levator scapulae

• Rhomboid minor

• Rhomboid major

• Latissimus dorsi

intrinsic muscles of back - feature

primarily attach to and act on back

intrinsic muscles of back - list (2)

erector spinae → prime movers of back esp. in sagittal plane

• Concentrically extend the trunk

• Eccentrically control trunk flexion

• Commonly implicated with postural issues

transverse spinalis → group of short muscles deep to erector spinae

• Control more fine movements at vertebral segments

• Importantascular  in rehab for improving segmental movements -> esp. multifidus in lumbar spine