Bone Lab: Spine – Dr. Elizabeth Moffett

Vocabulary flashcards covering major structures and features of the spinal column, individual vertebrae, sacrum, and related bony landmarks from the lecture notes.

Vertebral Column

Series of vertebrae forming the spine; composed of cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal regions.

Cervical Vertebrae

Seven vertebrae (C1-C7) in the neck region; contain transverse foramina and often bifid spinous processes.

Thoracic Vertebrae

Twelve vertebrae (T1-T12) that articulate with ribs; have heart-shaped bodies, costal facets, and long inferiorly-sloping spinous processes.

Lumbar Vertebrae

Five vertebrae (L1-L5) of the lower back; large oval bodies, no costal facets, short stout spinous processes.

Sacrum

Five fused vertebrae (S1-S5) articulating with pelvis; features sacral canal, foramina, auricular surfaces, and sacral promontory.

Coccyx

Three to five fused vertebrae forming the tailbone at spine’s inferior end.

Vertebral Body (Centrum)

Weight-bearing anterior portion of a vertebra.

Vertebral Arch (Neural Arch)

Posterior portion of a vertebra that surrounds the spinal cord.

Lamina

Flat posterior part of the vertebral arch between spinous process and pedicle.

Pedicle

Short stout bony projection attaching the vertebral arch to the body.

Spinous Process

Posterior projection from the vertebral arch; points dorsally.

Transverse Process

Lateral projection from the junction of pedicle and lamina.

Vertebral Foramen

Opening enclosed by body and arch; houses spinal cord.

Superior Articular Process

Upward-facing process that articulates with the inferior articular process of the vertebra above.

Inferior Articular Process

Downward-facing process that articulates with the superior articular process of the vertebra below.

Zygapophyseal (Facet) Joint

Synovial joint between superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae.

Intervertebral Foramen

Opening between adjacent pedicles allowing spinal nerves to exit the vertebral column.

Transverse Foramen

Hole in cervical transverse processes transmitting the vertebral artery.

Bifid Spinous Process

Split spinous process characteristic of typical cervical vertebrae (C3-C6).

Atlas (C1)

First cervical vertebra; no body, supports skull via superior articular facets, has anterior & posterior arches.

Axis (C2)

Second cervical vertebra; contains the dens for rotation with the atlas.

Dens (Odontoid Process)

Peg-like projection of the axis that articulates with the anterior arch of the atlas.

Costal Facet

Articular surface on thoracic vertebrae for rib heads or tubercles.

Demifacet

Partial costal facet on thoracic vertebral bodies for articulation with rib heads.

Mammillary Process

Small bump on posterior aspect of lumbar superior articular processes.

Pars Interarticularis

Part of lumbar vertebra between superior and inferior articular processes; common fracture site in spondylolysis.

Auricular Surface

Ear-shaped lateral surface of the sacrum that articulates with the ilium of the pelvis.

Ventral Sacral Foramina

Anterior openings in sacrum for exit of ventral rami of sacral spinal nerves.

Dorsal Sacral Foramina

Posterior openings in sacrum for exit of dorsal rami of sacral spinal nerves.

Sacral Canal

Continuation of vertebral canal through sacrum containing cauda equina.

Sacral Hiatus

Inferior opening of sacral canal where coccygeal nerves exit.

Sacral Promontory

Anterior projecting edge of S1 vertebral body forming pelvic brim.

Superior Nuchal Line

Ridge on occipital bone for muscle attachment above the external occipital protuberance.

Inferior Nuchal Line

Ridge on occipital bone below the superior nuchal line for muscle attachment.

External Occipital Protuberance

Midline bump on posterior skull where nuchal ligament attaches.

Spine of Scapula

Prominent ridge on posterior scapula separating supraspinous and infraspinous fossae.

Acromion Process

Lateral expansion of the scapular spine forming the highest point of the shoulder.