Cross Sectional Chapter 4

What is the purpose of the Vertebral Column?

to support the weight of the body, help maintain posture, and protect the delicate spinal cord and nerves

What curve is present with the Cervical and Lumbar sections?

Lordotic Curves

What curve is present with Thoracic and Sacral sections?

Kyphotic Curves

What are the two parts of a typical vertebrae?

body and vertebral arch

Pedicle

Projecting posteriorly from the body on the right and left

Laminae

The 2 pedicles meet up with the right and left lamina.

Spinous process

Each lamina joins in the middle to form the most posterior aspect of the vertebral arch, the spinous process.

Transverse processes

The 2 transverse processes project laterally around the pedicle and lamina junction on both the right and the left side.

Superior articular process

Inferior articular process

Superior costal facet

Inferior costal facet

Zygopophyseal joint

bilateral between superior and inferior facets

synovial

Intervertebral Dics

Fibrocartilage pads found between each vertebra that help to cushion

-filled with water

Nucleus pulposus

The soft, semi-gelatinous material in the middle of the disk

Annulus fibrosus

The firm outer portion of the disk

Transverse foramina

Special to C1-C7 and allow for the vertebral arteries and veins to pass through them so blood can get to our head.

C1 Atlas

supports head, has no body or spine, the two transverse processes have superior facets which the occipital condyles articulate

C1 anterior arch

- anterior tubercle on anterior surface

- facet for dens on posterior surface

C1 Posterior arch

C1 lateral mass

C1 superior articular process

C2 Axis

Odontoid process

Also known as the dens

What is the special trait seen in C3-C6?

Bifid Spinous process

What is unique to C7?

it has a large single spinous process. This spinous process can be easily felt on the back of your neck due to its size.

What facet's are unique to the Thoracic vertebrae?

the costal facets that connect with ribs

Costovertebral joint

The head of the ribs will articulate to the costal facets of the vertebral body

Costotransverse joint

The tubercle of the ribs will articulate to the costal facets of the transverse process

What is unique about L5?

It's the largest vertebral body and transverse process because it supports the entire weight of the body

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

Location; Anterior surface of vertebral bodies

Start/Stop; C1 to Sacrum

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Location; Posterior surface of vertebral bodies

Start/Stop; C2 to Sacrum

Ligamentum Flavum

Location; Along the medial aspect of the laminae of the vertebrae

Start/Stop; C2 to L5

Interspinous Ligament

Location; Between adjacent spinous process

Start/Stop; Throughout spinal column

Supraspinous Ligament

Location; Tips of the spinous processes

Start/Stop; C7 to lower lumbar vertebrae

Splenius Muscles

superficial layer of muscles of the spine

Intermediate Layer

erector spinae group (prominent bulge on each side of the vertebral column)

Deep Layer

Transverseospinal group

Spinal Meninges

Form the thecal sac which houses the spinal chord and CSF.

Consist of 3 layers

Dura Layer

Outer Layer

Arachnoid layer

Middle layer

Pia layer

Inner layer

Filum terminale

Descends through the subarachnoid space to inferior border of the thecal sac

Spinal chord

Large nerve cable that connects the brain with the body.

Extends clear down to about T12/L1

Conus Medullaris

Where the spinal cord ends

Cauda equina

a grouping of nerves that appear like a horses tail

Dorsal roots

Sensory/afferent nerve roots

Posterior lateral

Dorsal Root Ganglion

Oval enlargement of dorsal root containing nerve cell bodies of sensory neurons

Located in intervertebral foramen

Ventral roots

Motor/Efferent nerve roots

Anterolateral

Spinal nerves

Outside the intervertebral foramina ventral and dorsal roots unit to form 31 pairs of spinal nerves