Spinal Anatomy and Clinical Correlations

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering spinal anatomy, vertebral characteristics, meningeal layers, muscle groups, and clinical implications of spinal nerve and cord injuries.

Total Vertebrae

The spine is composed of this specific number of vertebrae: 33 (contrasting with 31 pairs of spinal nerves).

Facet Joints

Also known as zygapophysial or apophyseal joints, these are formed by the articulation of the superior and inferior processes of adjacent vertebrae.

Dens

Also known as the odontoid process, it is a specific projection on the Axis (C2) that serves as the pivot point for shaking the head "No".

Cervical Facet Joints

Joints in the cervical region oriented to resemble a "ramp going upward."

Thoracic Facet Joints

Joints in the thoracic region oriented to look like a "stop sign" hand gesture.

Dura Mater

The toughest, most superficial layer of the spinal meninges.

Myotome

A group of muscles innervated by a single spinal nerve root.

C8 Nerve Root

The precise spinal nerve root level tested clinically by assessing a patient's ability to flex their fingers.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Sensory Pattern

An injury that presents with a dermatomal pattern of sensory loss rather than a peripheral nerve pattern.

Spinal Canal

A deep structural space housing the spinal cord, nerve roots, meningeal layers, ligamentum flavum, and posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL).

Erector Spinae

An extensive muscle group that extends the spine bilaterally and flexes it to the same side unilaterally.

Spinalis

The specific muscle of the three erector spinae muscles that sits closest to the midline of the spine.

Erector Spinae Column (Lateral to Medial)

The sequence of three individual muscles: Iliocostalis, Longissimus, and Spinalis.

Lumbar Facet Joints

Deep back structures often compared to "earmuffs" due to their unique orientation in the lumbar region.

Transverse process or Spinous process

Bony regions on a typical vertebra that function as major attachment sites for deep back muscles and spinal ligaments.

Hypertrophy of the Ligamentum Flavum

An age-related clinical condition where the ligamentum flavum thickens over time, narrowingly squeezing the spinal cord inside its canal.

C7 Level SCI

The exact spinal level at which a patient can still functionally transfer from a chair by locking their elbows and using lower trapezius muscles.

Atlas (C1)

A unique cervical vertebra that possesses absolutely no vertebral body and no spinous process.

Subarachnoid Space

The fluid-filled space located directly between the arachnoid mater and pia mater where needles pass during a lumbar puncture.

Saggital Plane

The plane of motion in which flexion of the shoulder primarily occurs.

Dermatome

The area of skin innervated primarily by a single spinal nerve root.

Median Nerve Sensory Loss

A condition that makes the ADL task of buttoning the top button of a shirt most difficult.

Cervical Spine

The most mobile portion of the vertebral column that facilitates occupational performance by greatly increasing the visual field.

Dorsal Nerve Roots

Specific nerve roots that, if damaged, would make sensory tasks like feeling water temperature most difficult during grooming.