VERTEBRAL COLUMN and THORACIC CAGE

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering the vertebral column and thoracic cage anatomy, including terminology, functions, and structures.

Vertebral Column

Consists of 33 vertebrae supporting the spinal cord.

Cervical Curvature

Concave curvature consisting of 7 vertebrae (C1-C7).

Thoracic Curvature

Convex curvature consisting of 12 vertebrae (T1-T12).

Lumbar Curvature

Concave curvature consisting of 5 vertebrae (L1-L5).

Sacral Curvature

Convex curvature formed by 5 fused sacral vertebrae.

Coccygeal vertebrae

4 fused vertebrae forming the coccyx.

Spinous process

Projection on the posterior of a vertebra.

Transverse processes

Lateral projections on either side of a vertebra.

Intervertebral discs

Specialized cartilaginous structures between vertebrae, acting as shock absorbers.

Intervertebral foramen

Opening for spinal nerves to exit the vertebral column.

Subarachnoid space

Space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

Cervical enlargement

Wider region of the spinal cord supplying the upper limbs.

Lumbosacral enlargement

Wider region of the spinal cord supplying the lower limbs.

Arachnoid mater

Middle layer of the meninges surrounding the spinal cord.

Dura mater

Outer protective layer of the spinal cord.

Primary curvatures

Curvatures present at birth located in the thoracic and sacral regions.

Secondary curvatures

Curvatures that develop after birth located in the cervical and lumbar regions.

Kyphosis

Abnormal spinal curvature resulting in a 'humpback' appearance.

Scoliosis

Lateral spinal curvature often appearing as a 'kink' in the spine.

Lordosis

Exaggerated lumbar curvature often called 'swayback'.

Typical Vertebra

Consists of a body and a vertebral arch with processes for attachments.

Vertebral arch

Structure formed by pedicles and laminae, protecting the spinal cord.

Articular Processes

Facets for articulation between adjacent vertebrae.

Pedicles

Postero-lateral projections serving as the sides of the vertebral arch.

Laminae

Flattened plates that complete the vertebral arch posteriorly.

Atlas (C1)

First cervical vertebra that supports the skull, lacking a body or spine.

Axis (C2)

Second cervical vertebra characterized by the dens facilitating head rotation.

Vertebra prominens (C7)

The seventh cervical vertebra known for its long spinous process.

Costal facets

Articular surfaces on thoracic vertebrae for rib attachment.

Thoracic vertebrae

Consist of 12 vertebrae (T1-T12) that articulate with the ribs.

Lumbar vertebrae

5 vertebrae (L1-L5) known for their large size and absence of costal facets.

Sacrum

Structure formed by 5 fused sacral vertebrae located at the lower back.

Coccyx

Triangular bone formed by 4 fused coccygeal vertebrae.

Vertebral foramen

Opening within a vertebra for the spinal cord.

Nucleus pulposus

Inner core of intervertebral discs providing cushioning.

Annulus fibrosus

Outer ring of fibrocartilage surrounding the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc.

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Supports vertebral bodies and limits extension of the back.

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Covers the back of vertebral bodies and limits flexion.

Facet joints (Zygapophysial joints)

Joints between superior and inferior articular facets of adjacent vertebrae.

Intervertebral symphysis

Joint type of the vertebral bodies connected by intervertebral discs.

Ligamenta flava

Connect adjacent laminae, maintaining upright posture.

Sacroiliac joint

Joint connecting the sacrum and ilium, facilitating weight transmission.

Lumbar puncture

Procedure to access cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space.

Costal cartilages

Hyaline cartilage connecting ribs to the sternum.

True ribs

Ribs 1-7 that attach directly to the sternum via their own costal cartilages.

False ribs

Ribs 8-12 that do not attach directly to the sternum.

Floating ribs

Ribs 11-12 that have no sternum attachment.

Sternum

Consists of manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.

Manubrium

Upper part of the sternum articulating with the clavicles and first two ribs.

Xiphoid process

Smallest and lowest part of the sternum, serving as a muscle attachment point.

Jugular notch

Depression at the top of the sternum for anatomical reference.

Sternal angle

Angle formed between the manubrium and body of the sternum, important landmark.

Intercostal muscles

Muscles located between ribs, essential for breathing movements.

Costotransverse joint

Joint between transverse process of vertebrae and tubercle of rib.

Articulatio capitis costae

Joint between the ribs and thoracic vertebrae.

Transverse costal facet

Facet on the transverse process of thoracic vertebrae for rib attachment.

Zygapophysial joints

Facet joints contributing to the vertebral column's movement.

Anterior sacral foramina

Holes in the sacrum permitting the exit of sacral nerves.

Posterior sacral foramina

Openings in the sacrum for the passage of dorsal root nerves.

Median sacral crest

Dorsal projection formed by fused spinous processes of sacral vertebrae.

Cauda equina

Nerve roots that extend from the end of the spinal cord.

Vertebral artery

Major artery supplying blood to the vertebral column and brain.

Cervical vertebrae

7 vertebrae of the neck supporting the head and neck motions.

Intervertebral foramen

Opening between vertebrae for spinal nerve roots.

Muscular attachments

Sites on vertebrae for muscle attachment aiding movement and support.

Fast axial rotation

Quick rotation of the head primarily facilitated by the atlanto-axial joint.

Coccyx

The small, triangular bone at the base of the vertebral column.

Spinal cord

Cylindrical structure protected by the vertebral column, conducting nerve signals.

Dens of Axis

Projection on C2 that allows rotation of the head.

Pedicle

Short projection connecting vertebral body to posterior elements.

Costal facets

Articular surfaces on thoracic vertebrae for rib attachment.

Spinous process

Dorsal projection serving as a site for muscle attachment.

Lateral mass

Thickened region of vertebrae where articular facets are located.

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Ligament limiting extension of the spine.

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Ligament limiting flexion of the spine.

Element

Basic building block of anatomical structures.

Bifid spinous processes

Split spinous process typical in cervical vertebrae.

Transverse foramina

Holes in cervical vertebrae for vertebral artery passage.

Vertebral foramen

Opening for the spinal cord within each vertebra.

Nuchal ligament

Supporting ligament extending from C7 to the skull.

Intervertebral discs

Cartilaginous pads acting as shock absorbers between vertebrae.

Alar ligaments

Ligaments limiting the rotation of the head.

Protection of spinal cord

One of the primary functions of the vertebral column.

Vertebral canal

The canal formed by vertebral foramina accommodating the spinal cord.

Articular processes

Projections on vertebrae for joints with other vertebrae.

Transverse process

Lateral extensions on a vertebra providing muscle attachment.

Atlas

First cervical vertebra that supports the skull.

Axis

Second cervical vertebra characterized by the dens.

C7 vertebra prominens

Seventh cervical vertebra with a prominent spinous process.

Costovertebral joint

Joint connecting rib heads to vertebral bodies.

Rib tubercle

Bump on the rib for articulation with transverse process.

Cervical ribs

Accessory ribs that may occur in cervical region.

Thoracic spine

Portion of the vertebral column consisting of thoracic vertebrae.

Lumbar puncture

Procedure used to collect cerebrospinal fluid.

Costal angle

Bend in the rib making it more flexible.

Demifacets

Partial facets on vertebrae for rib articulation.

Inferior vertebral notch

Notch on the bottom of a vertebra contributing to intervertebral foramen.

Superior vertebral notch

Notch on the top of a vertebra aiding in nerve passage.

Lateral bending

Motion of the vertebral column to the side.

Neutral zone

Range of motion in the spine under minimal load.