Vertebral Column Radiographic Positioning and Pathology

Vocabulary flashcards covering vertebral anatomy, normal and abnormal curvatures, spinal pathologies, fractures, and radiographic positioning procedures.

True or Movable Vertebrae

The 24 vertebral segments in the upper three regions of the vertebral column that remain distinct throughout life.

False or Fixed Vertebrae

The pelvic segments in the two lower regions of the vertebral column that undergo fusion in adults.

Primary Curves

Spinal curves present at birth, consisting of the thoracic and pelvic curves.

Secondary Curves

Spinal curves that develop after birth, consisting of the cervical and lumbar curves.

Disks of Fibrocartilages

Structures interposed between the vertebrae that act as cushions.

Clay Shoveler's Fracture

Avulsion fracture of the spinous process in the lower cervical and upper thoracic region.

Compression Fracture

A fracture that causes compaction of bone and a decrease in length or width.

Hangman's Fracture

Fracture of the anterior arch of C2 due to hyperextension.

Jefferson's Fracture

Comminuted fracture of the ring of C1.

Herniated Nucleus Pulposus

Rupture or prolapsed of the nucleus pulposus into the spinal canal.

Kyphosis

Abnormally increased convexity in the thoracic curvature, represented by an abnormal increase in anterior concavity or posterior convexity.

Lordosis

Abnormally increased concavity of the cervical and lumbar spine, represented by an abnormal increase in anterior convexity or posterior concavity.

Teardrop Burst Fracture

Comminuted vertebral body with triangular fragments avulsed from the anteroposterior border caused by compression with hyperflexion in the cervical region.

Transitional Vertebra

A condition occurring when a vertebra takes on a characteristic of the adjacent region of the spine.

Osteopetrosis

Increased density of atypically soft bone.

Osteoporosis

Loss of bone density.

Scheuerrmann's Disease

Adolescent kyphosis, or a kyphosis with onset in adolescence.

Scoliosis

Lateral deviation of the spine with possible vertebral rotation, classified by a curvature greater than $10^\circ$.

Spina Bifida

Failure of the posterior encasement of the spinal cord to close.

Spondylolisthesis

Forward displacement of a vertebra over a lower vertebra, usually L5 to S1.

Spondylolysis

Separation of the pars interarticularis.

Vertebral Arch

One of the two main parts of a typical vertebra that attaches to the body to enclose the vertebral foramen.

Intervertebral Foramina

Openings in the vertebral column formed by the superior and inferior vertebral notches.

Chance Fracture

Fracture through the vertebral body caused by hyperflexion force.

Whiplash Injury

Damage to the ligaments, vertebrae, or spinal cord caused by sudden jerking back of the head and neck.

PA Oblique Projection (Thoracic Spine)

A projection positioning the patient rotated $20^\circ$ anteriorly with the midcoronal plane $70^\circ$ from the IR to demonstrate the thoracic zygapophyseal joints closest to the IR.

AP Oblique Projection (Thoracic Spine)

A projection positioning the patient rotated $20^\circ$ posteriorly with the midcoronal plane $70^\circ$ from the IR to demonstrate the thoracic zygapophyseal joints farthest from the IR.

Oppenheimer Method

A method used when the patient cannot be satisfactorily positioned for a direct lateral projection, providing an excellent demonstration of the cervicothoracic spinous processes.

Vertebral Column Functions

Acts as a support for the trunk, supports the skull superiorly, and provides attachment for deep muscles of the back and ribs laterally.

True Vertebrae

The 24 vertebral segments in the upper three regions (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar) that remain distinct throughout life.

False Vertebrae

The pelvic segments in the two lower regions (sacrum and coccyx) that undergo fusion in adults.

Primary Curvatures

Spinal curvatures present at birth, consisting of the thoracic and pelvic (sacral) curves.

Secondary Curvatures

Spinal curvatures that develop after birth, consisting of the cervical and lumbar curves (also known as compensatory curves).

Cervical Curvature

The first compensatory curve of the spine, which is concave (lordotic).

Thoracic Curvature

The first primary curve of the spine, which is convex.

Lumbar Curvature

The second compensatory curve of the spine, which is concave (lordotic).

Sacral Curvature

The second primary curve of the spine, which is convex.

Clay Shoveler's Fracture

An avulsion fracture of the spinous process in the lower cervical and upper thoracic region.

Compression Fracture

A fracture that causes compaction of bone and a decrease in length or width.

Hangman's Fracture

A fracture of the anterior arch of C2 due to hyperextension.

Jefferson's Fracture

A comminuted fracture of the ring of C1.

Herniated Nucleus Pulposus

Rupture or prolapse of the nucleus pulposus into the spinal canal.

Osteopetrosis

A pathology characterized by increased density of atypically soft bone.

Osteoporosis

A pathology characterized by loss of bone density.

Scheuermann's Disease

Adolescent kyphosis, or a kyphosis with onset in adolescence.

Scoliosis

Lateral deviation of the spine with possible vertebral rotation, defined as normal if curvature is $<10^\natural$ or $<10^\times$ and scoliosis if curvature is $>10^\times$.

Spina Bifida

Failure of the posterior encasement of the spinal cord to close.

Spondylolisthesis

Forward displacement of a vertebra over a lower vertebra, usually L5 to S1.

Spondylolysis

Separation of the pars interarticularis.

Teardrop Burst Fracture

A comminuted vertebral body with triangular fragments avulsed from the anteroposterior border caused by compression with hyperflexion in the cervical region.

Transitional Vertebra

Occurs when a vertebra takes on a characteristic of the adjacent region of the spine.

Kyphosis

An abnormally increased convexity in the thoracic curvature (exaggerated thoracic curvature or 'humpback').

Lordosis

An abnormally increased concavity of the cervical and lumbar spine (exaggerated lumbar curvature or 'swayback').

Chance Fracture

A fracture through the vertebral body caused by a hyperflexion force.

Whiplash Injury

Damage to the ligaments, vertebrae, or spinal cord caused by sudden jerking back of the head and neck.

PA Oblique Projection (Thoracic Spine)

Radiographic positioning technique using the Oppenheimer Method with body rotated $20^\times$ anteriorly and MCP $70^\times$ from IR to demonstrate zygapophyseal joints closest to the IR.

AP Oblique Projection (Thoracic Spine)

Radiographic positioning technique with body rotated $20^\times$ posteriorly and MCP $70^\times$ from IR to demonstrate zygapophyseal joints farthest from the IR.

Flexion of Hips and Knees (AP Lumbar Spine)

Positioning step during AP lumbar spine projection that reduces lumbar lordosis and places the back in contact with the table.