Gross Anatomy - Back and Vertebral Column Vocabulary

A comprehensive collection of vocabulary flashcards covering back surface landmarks, bony vertebral anatomy, joint mechanics, ligaments, muscle layers, neurovascular structures, clinical procedures, and pathologies from the Gross Anatomy lecture notes.

Vertebral Column

The central axis of the axial skeleton typically composed of 33 vertebrae: 24 individual presacral vertebrae, 5 fused sacral vertebrae, and 4 fused coccygeal vertebrae.

Primary Vertebral Curvatures

Thoracic and sacral kyphoses that are present at birth, anteriorly concave, and maintain a flexion orientation.

Secondary Vertebral Curvatures

Cervical and lumbar lordoses that develop after birth during developmental posture milestones, posteriorly concave, and maintain an extension orientation.

Excessive Kyphosis

An exaggerated posterior thoracic curvature greater than 50 degrees (normal is 20–45 degrees), quantified radiographically using the Cobb angle.

Scoliosis

A three-dimensional spinal deformity characterized by lateral curvature of the vertebral column accompanied by vertebral rotation.

Sway-Back Posture

A postural deviation combining exaggerated lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis that shifts the pelvis and hips anteriorly.

Flat-Back Posture

A decrease in lumbar lordosis that causes the thoracic spine to move anteriorly, shifting center of weight and causing fatigue and pain.

Vertebral Body

The anterior, weight-bearing portion of a vertebra that progressively increases in size from superior to inferior levels.

Vertebral Arch

The posterior bony ring formed by paired pedicles and laminae that protects the spinal cord.

Pedicles

Short, thick bony projections extending posteriorly from the vertebral body to attach the posterior arch elements to the body.

Laminae

Broad, flat bony plates extending medially from the pedicles that meet in the midline to complete the vertebral arch.

Zygapophysial Joints

Synovial facet joints formed between the inferior articular processes of a superior vertebra and the superior articular processes of an inferior vertebra.

Vertebral Foramen

The central opening bounded by the vertebral body anteriorly and the vertebral arch posteriorly that contains the spinal cord.

Intervertebral Foramen

The lateral opening formed between the superior and inferior vertebral notches of adjacent vertebrae through which spinal nerves exit.

Transverse Foramina

Apertures in the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae that transmit the vertebral arteries.

Atlas (C1)

The atypical first cervical vertebra that lacks a body and spinous process, consisting of a ring shape with anterior and posterior arches.

Axis (C2)

The atypical second cervical vertebra characterized by the dens (odontoid process) projecting superiorly from its body.

Dens (Odontoid Process)

A vertical tooth-like process on C2 that articulates with the anterior arch of C1 to serve as a pivot axis for head rotation.

Dens Fracture Types

Classification of C2 dens fractures: Type I (fracture tip of dens), Type II (fracture through base or neck of dens), and Type III (fracture extending into the body of the axis).

Vertebra Prominens

The C7 vertebra, distinguished by a long, non-bifid spinous process that forms a prominent landmark at the base of the neck upon neck flexion.

Uncovertebral Joints

Joints of Von Luschka formed between the uncinate processes of C3–C7 vertebral bodies and the adjacent superior body, frequent sites of osteophyte formation.

Atlanto-Occipital Joint

The articulation between the occipital condyles and C1 that permits flexion and extension of the head ('yes' motion).

Atlanto-Axial Joint

The pivot joint between C1 and C2 that permits rotation of the head ('no' motion).

Mammillary Processes

Tubercles on the posterior borders of the superior articular processes of lumbar vertebrae that provide attachment for intrinsic back muscles.

Lumbosacral Angle

The angle formed at the junction between the wedge-shaped L5 vertebral body and the first sacral segment (S1).

Sacral Hiatus

An inferior opening of the sacral canal caused by the failure of fusion of the posterior elements of S5 and S4, serving as a site for epidural anesthesia.

Annulus Fibrosus

The outer fibrocartilaginous ring of an intervertebral disc arranged in concentric lamellar sheets that resist multi-directional tensile forces.

Nucleus Pulposus

The gelatinous, high-water inner core of an intervertebral disc that acts as a hydraulic shock absorber.

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL)

A broad, strong ligament attached to the anterior surfaces of vertebral bodies that limits spinal extension.

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL)

A band attached inside the vertebral canal to posterior surfaces of bodies that limits flexion and resists posterior disc protrusion.

Ligamentum Flavum

An elastic-rich ligament bridging adjacent laminae that resists hyperflexion and aids in returning the column to erect posture.

Spinal Ligaments

Key supporting ligaments of the vertebral column including Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (red), Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (purple), Ligamentum Flavum (blue), Interspinal Ligament (green), and Nuchal Ligament (yellow).

Nuchal Ligament

A dense, triangular fibroelastic septum in the neck extending from C7 spinous process to the external occipital protuberance.

Transverse Ligament of Atlas

A thick ligament stretching across C1 posterior to the dens that holds the dens against the anterior arch of the atlas.

Alar Ligaments

Paired fibrous cords extending from the sides of the dens to the lateral margins of the foramen magnum that check head rotation.

Iliolumbar Ligament

A ligament connecting the transverse process of L4/L5 to the iliac crest that stabilizes L5 on the sacrum.

Thoracolumbar Fascia

A multi-layered collagenous sheet in the lumbar region that encloses deep back muscles and anchors trunk musculature.

Ventral Rami

Spinal nerve branches providing motor and sensory innervation to extrinsic back muscles (except trapezius, innervated by CN XI).

Dorsal Rami

Spinal nerve branches providing motor innervation to intrinsic back muscles and sensory innervation to the skin and fascia of the back.

Suboccipital Triangle

A deep region inferior to the occiput bounded by rectus capitis posterior major, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior.

Suboccipital Nerve

The dorsal ramus of C1 that travels through the suboccipital triangle to supply motor innervation to suboccipital muscles.

Greater Occipital Nerve

A primary sensory nerve formed by the dorsal ramus of C2 that emerges inferior to the obliquus capitis inferior muscle.

Pars Interarticularis

The narrow region of the vertebral arch situated between the superior and inferior articular facets.

Spondylolysis

A bony defect or stress fracture of the pars interarticularis without displacement, producing a collar sign on the radiographic 'Scottie dog'.

Spondylolisthesis

The anterior displacement of a vertebral body relative to the vertebra inferior to it.

Lumbar Canal Stenosis

Pathological narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal causing neurogenic symptoms aggravated by standing/walking and relieved by forward spinal flexion.

Disc Sequestration

A severe intervertebral disc herniation in which nucleus pulposus material breaks through the annulus fibrosus and separates into the spinal canal.

Lumbar Puncture

A diagnostic or therapeutic procedure entering the subarachnoid space at L3–L4 or L4–L5 inferior to the conus medullaris to sample CSF.

Laminectomy

Surgical excision of part or all of a vertebral lamina to decompress compressed neural elements within the spinal canal.

Triangle of Auscultation

A muscular gap bounded by the trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and medial border of the scapula where respiratory sounds are clearest.

Cauda Equina Syndrome

A medical emergency caused by compression of nerve roots below the conus medullaris, presenting with saddle anesthesia, urinary retention, and bilateral leg weakness.