week 5 - Vertebral column and back

5 divisions of spine

cervical = 7

thoracic = 12

lumbar = 5

sacrum = 5

coccyx = 3-5

vertebral column curvatures

Primary curvature are 'kyphotic'

Secondary curvatures are 'lordotic'

Major anatomical landmarks of typical vertebra

Distinct regional features of vertebrae

vertebral foramen

The opening in a vertebra that allows the passage of the spinal cord.

• hole through which nerves pass

• when multiple vertebrae’s are stacked it is called vertebral canal

• contents: spinal nerve roots, dorsal root ganglia, vessels

vertebral notches

The indentations located on the superior and inferior borders of the vertebrae that allow for the passage of spinal nerves and vessels.

• notches can form holes only when stacked

intervertebral joints: vertebral body-disc joints

discs are secondary cartilaginous joints that are in between vertebrae’s

ANNULUS FIBROSUS:

• outer layer

• attaches to epiphyseal ring

• keeps vertebra together

• concentric lamellae of collagen

• permits movement in all direction

• resists excessive rotation

  NUCLEUS PULPOSUS:

• inner layer

• surrounded by annulus fibrosus

• keeps vertebra apart

• jelly consistency

• shock absorber —> disperses compressive forces

zygapophyseal joints

• plane synovial joints

• movement dependent on orientation of articular surfaces

• superior and inferior articular processes have articular surfaces

• thoracic goes across coronal plane and lumbar across sagittal

major vertebral column ligaments

extrinsic muscles of back

intrinsic muscles on back

erector spinae

• concentrically extend the trunk

• eccentrically control trunk flexion