Vertebral Column: Osteology, Ligaments & Neurovasculature

These flashcards cover the essential vocabulary and definitions related to the vertebral column, including osteology, ligaments, neurovasculature, and anatomical structures.

lumbosacral angle

130-160 degrees.

how many vertebrae

33, 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbral. 5 sacral and 4 coccygeal

Neurovasculature

The network of nerves and blood vessels.

Name 1-10 the regions of the back

1 Vertebral region

2 interscapular egion

3 infrascapular region

4 sacral region

5 gluteal region

6 Lumbar region

7 lateral pectoral region

8 scapular region

9 deltoid region

10 suprascapular region

Name the back lines 1-4

1 Post. median line

2. paravertebral line

3. scapular line

4. post. axillary

Name 1-10

1 inferior articular provess +facet

2 transverse process

3 sup articular facet

4 vertebral body (from centrum)

5 epipysial rim ( from arular epiphysis)

6 vertebral formanen

7 pedicle

8 Lamina

9 spinous process

10 vertebral arch

Intervertebral discs

Cartilage pads located between vertebrae that provide cushioning.

Lumbosacral angle

The angle formed between the lumbar and sacral regions.

Haematopoiesis

The formation of blood cells in the body.

Zygapophyseal joints

Joints between the articular processes of adjacent vertebrae.

Anterior longitudinal ligament

A ligament that runs down the anterior length of the vertebral column.

Posterior longitudinal ligament

A ligament that runs down the posterior length of the vertebral column.

Interspinous ligaments

Ligaments that connect adjacent spinous processes.

Ligamentum flavum

A ligament made of elastic tissue that connects vertebrae.

Lordosis

Exaggerated inward curve of the spine.

Kyphosis

Exaggerated outward curve of the spine.

Scoliosis

Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.

Facet joints

Joints formed between the superior and inferior articular processes of vertebrae.

Cervical vertebrae

The seven vertebrae in the neck region.

Thoracic vertebrae

The twelve vertebrae in the upper back.

Lumbar vertebrae

The five vertebrae in the lower back.

Sacral vertebrae

Five fused vertebrae forming the sacrum.

Coccygeal vertebrae

Four fused vertebrae forming the coccyx or tailbone.

Annulus fibrosus

The tough outer layer of intervertebral discs, concentric lamellae of fibrocartilage

Nucleus pulposus

The inner gel-like core of intervertebral discs.

Uncovertebral joints

Joints of luschka found between uncinate processes in the cervical spine. (c3-c6)

Craniovertebral joints

Joints between the skull and the first cervical vertebra.

Atlanto-occipital joint

The joint between the skull (occipital bone) and the first cervical vertebra.

Atlanto-axial joint

The joint between the first and second cervical vertebrae.

Transverse ligament

A ligament that holds the dens of the axis against the atlas.

Functional curves

Curvatures of the spine that improve strength and flexibility.

Craniovertebral joint ligaments

Ligaments stabilizing the craniovertebral region.

Facet syndrome

Discomfort resulting from dysfunction of the facet joints.

Proprioception

The body's ability to sense its position and movement.

Nociception

The sensory perception of pain.

Innervation

The supply of nerves to a specific body part.

C2 vertebra

Also known as the axis, which allows head rotation.

C1 vertebra

Also known as the atlas, which supports the skull.

C1 vertebra characteristics

no body, spinous process, sup. facets articulate with occipital condyle, inf. articulate with C2 (axis)

C7 vertebra

Also known as the vertebra prominens, the most prominent cervical vertebra.

Cervical curvature

The natural curve of the cervical spine.

Thoracic curvature

The natural curve of the thoracic spine.

Lumbar curvature

The natural curve of the lumbar spine.

Sacral curvature

The curvature of the sacral region of the spine.

Zygapophyseal joint alignment

The orientation of zygapophyseal joints affecting vertebral movement.

Intervertebral foramen

The openings between vertebrae that allow passage for spinal nerves.

Posterior median line

A midline reference on the posterior back.

Scapular line

A vertical line used as an anatomical reference point.

Paravertebral line

A line along the sides of the vertebral column.

Articular facets

Surfaces of the vertebrae that form joints.

Vertebral body

The thick, disc-shaped anterior portion of a vertebra.

Pedicle

The part of the vertebra that connects the body to the arch.

Lamina

The part of the vertebra that forms the posterior arch.

Vertebral canal

The space in the vertebral column that contains the spinal cord.

Spinal cord

The bundle of nervous tissue connecting the brain to the body.

Cervical rotation

Movement that occurs at the cervical spine.

Cervical flexion

Bending forward of the cervical spine.

Lumbar flexion

Bending of the lumbar spine forward.

Hyperextension

Excessive extension of a joint beyond its normal range.

Hyperflexion

Excessive flexion of a joint beyond its normal range.

Compression fracture

Fracture due to excessive pressure applied to vertebrae.

Burst fracture

Fracture caused by high-energy impact, typically axial loading.

Radiograph

An imaging technique that uses X-rays to view structures.

Epidural anesthesia

Anesthesia injected into the epidural space.

Transverse process

Lateral projections from each vertebra.

Spinous process

Posterior projection from each vertebra.

Cervical foramen

Openings in cervical vertebrae for spinal nerves.

Transverse foramina

Holes in cervical vertebrae through which arteries pass.

Costal facets

Articulating surfaces for rib attachment.

Craniovertebral region

The area at the junction of the skull and vertebral column.

Nuchal ligament

Ligament running along the back of the neck.

Supraspinous ligament

Ligament connecting the tips of spinous processes.

Anatomical landmarks

Identifiable structures used for reference in anatomy.

Ligamenta flava

Elastic ligaments connecting adjacent laminae.

Sacroiliac joint

Joint between the sacrum and the ilium.

Prevertebral space

The space in front of the vertebral column.

Lateral masses

Structures on the C1 vertebra supporting the superior articular facets.

Occipital condyles

Rounded surfaces on the base of the skull.

Apical ligament

A ligament connecting the dens to the foramen magnum.

Alar ligaments

Ligaments from dens to occipital condyle limiting rotation and fkexion at the atlanto-axial joint.

Tectorial membrane

A strong membrane continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament to limit flexion and extension

Spinal nerve

Nerves that emerge from the spinal cord.

Vertebral foramina

The openings within vertebrae that create the vertebral canal.

Facet joint effusion

Fluid accumulation in facet joints often leading to pain.

Ligamentous stability

Stability provided to joints by ligaments.

Dynamic stabilizers

Structures that provide stability through movement.

Static stabilizers

Structures that hold joints in place at rest.

Fascia

Connective tissue surrounding muscles and organs.

Dural sac

Sack enclosing the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid.

Spinal ligaments

Ligaments associated with the spine providing support.

Innervation lf vertebral collumn

Medial articular branch of post. rami supplying zygapopyhseal joints

recurrent meningeal branch of spinal nerve supplying dura, periostium, ligaments, 1/3 of iv disc and bv

Orthopedic pathology

Study of diseases related to the musculoskeletal system.

Vertebral stability

The ability of the vertebrae to maintain alignment and support.

Spinal stenosis

Narrowing of spaces in the spine leading to nerve compression.

Telematoid mechanisms

Mechanisms responsible for abnormal spinal curvatures.

Name 1-9

1. Tectorial membrane

2. sup. longitudinal band of cruciate ligament

3. transverse ligament of atlas

4. post. atlanto-occipital membrane

5. inf. longitudinal band of cruciate ligament

6. post. atlanti-axial membrane

7. ligamentum flavum

8. interspinous ligament

9. post. longitudinal ligament

Name 1-6

1. apical ligament of dens

2. ant. atlanto-occipital membrane

3. ant. arch of atlas

4. dens of axis

5. body of axis (c2)

6. ant. longitudinal ligament

Name the lines 1-4

1. Ant vertebral line

2. post. vertebral line

3. spino-laminar line

4. post. spinous line

Name Xray presentations

1. double corticle line

2. lageral mass

3. facet joint

4. lamina

5. spinous process

6. pedicle