Cross sectional Chapter 4 worksheet

What are the two main parts of a vertebra?

the body (anterior element) and the vertebral arch (posterior element).

What are the 11 components of the vertebral arch?

1. The vertebral arch is formed by pedicles (2), laminae (2), the spinous process (1), transverse processes (2), and superior (2) and inferior (2) articular processes

The two ______ project from the vertebral body to meet with the laminae that continue posterior and medially to form the ________.

Pedicles; Spinous Process.

The transverse processes project ________ from the approximate junction of the pedicle and lamina

Laterally

On the upper and lower surfaces of the pedicles is a concave surface called the _______________.

Vertebral Notch

What are the four articular processes that arise from the junctions of the pedicles and lamina?

two superior and two inferior, arise from the junctions of the pedicles and laminae to articulate with adjacent vertebrae and form the zygapophyseal joints

The vertebral bodies are separated by shock-absorbing cartilaginous _____________.

Intervertebral Disks.

What are the two parts of the intervertebral disks?

These disks consist of a central mass of soft, semi-gelatinous material called the nucleus pulposus and a firm outer portion termed the annulus fibrosus.

Unique to the cervical vertebrae is the ___________ that allows passage of the vertebral arteries and veins.

transverse foramen

What is the purpose of the vertebral canal?

To contain and protect the spinal cord.

What is another name for C1?

Atlas

Describe the unique features of C1

a ringlike structure that has no body and no spinous process. It consists of an anterior arch, posterior arch, and two large lateral masses

The superior articular processes articulate with the _________ of the cranium to form the atlantooccipital joint

occipital condyles

What is a unique feature of C2?

has a large odontoid process (dens) that projects upward from the superior surface of the vertebral body

Which cervical vertebrae have a bifid spinous process?

C3-C6

What are unique features of the thoracic spine?

four characteristic costal facets (demi-facets), two located on the body and two located on the transverse processes, that articulate with the ribs.

What are unique features of the lumbar spine?

Their massive bodies increase in size from superior to inferior. The entire weight of the upper body is transferred from the fifth lumbar vertebra to the base of the sacrum across the L5-S1 intervertebral disk

How many vertebrae are fused to form the sacrum?

Five

1. The transverse processes of the sacrum combine to form the _____________, which articulate with the pelvic bones.

lateral masses (alae)

What is the sacral promontory?

The first sacral segment has a prominent ridge located on the anterior surface of the body. This bony landmark is used to separate the abdominal cavity from the pelvic cavity

Identify the following 5 ligaments by describing where they start, stop, and attach: anterior longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, ligamentum nuchae, supraspinous ligament, and ligamenta flava.

· Starts at C1 stops at Sacrum, anterior surface of vertebral bodies

· Starts at C2 stops at Sacrum, posterior surface of vertebral bodies

· Starts at external occipital protuberance to the spinous process of the cervical vertebrae. muscles in the posterior portion of the neck

· Starts at C7 to lower lumbar vertebrae, tips of spinous processes

· Starts at C2 to L5. Along the medial aspect of the laminae of the vertebrae

The ______________________ consists of massive muscles that form a prominent bulge on each side of the vertebral column and is an intermediate muscle group

erector spinae muscle group

What is the filum terminale?

At the distal end of the spinal cord, approximately L1, the pia mater continues as a long, slender strand called the filum terminale. It descends through the subarachnoid space to the inferior border of the thecal sac, where it is reinforced by the dura mater. After leaving the thecal sac, it eventually exits the sacral canal through the sacral hiatus and attaches to the coccyx, providing an anchor between the spinal cord and the coccyx

The ____________________ is the most inferior portion of the spinal cord and is located at approximately T12/L1

conus medullaris

What is the cauda equina?

At the termination of the spinal cord, nerves continue inferiorly in bundles. This grouping of nerves has the appearance of a horse's tail which exits through the lumbosacral foramina