A and P Lecture chp. 7 Vertebral column

Vertebral curvatures

Cervical and lumbar curve ventrally

Thoracic and sacrum curve posteriorly

Abnormal vertebral curvatures

Scoliosis: abnormal lateral curvature (more left or right)

Kyphosis: abnormal thoracic curvature (Hunch)

Lordosis: Abnormal lumbar curvature (belly out)

Intervertebral foramen

between vertebrae laterally and spinal nerves emerge from them

(different than vertebral foramen)

2 parts of vertebral arch

pedicle and lamina

superior articular process and inferior articular process articulation

superior articulates with vertebrae above

inferior articulates with vertebrae below

Special features of cervical vertebrae

• transverse foramen

• smallest vertebrae

Atlas (C1) special features

• No body

• No spinous process

• no lamina

• fovea dentis (pivot joint with axis dens for head nod)

• large superior articular facet (articulate with occipital condyle for head nod yes)

Axis special features

• Dens (articulates with fovea dentis of atlas)

Thoracic vertebrae spinous process description

Large and pointed down

Lumbar vertebrae spinous process description

Short and thick hatchet

Cervical vertebrae (C3-7) body, spinous process, transverse process

body: Small oval

spinous process: small bifurcated (except C7)

transverse process: has foramina

Thoracic vertebrae body, spinous process, transverse process

body: Heart shaped with costal demi facets for rib head

spinous process: sharp projection inferiorly

transverse process: contains facets for rib tubercle (except T11-12)

Lumbar vertebrae body, spinous process, transverse process

body: Largest kidney shape

spinous process: short rectangular projection posteriorly

transverse process: Thin tapered

Posterior wall of pelvis

Sacrum

Sacrum ala articulation

articulates with auricular surface of ilium to form SI joint

Parts of thoracic cage

• sternum

• ribs and costal cartilage

• thoracic vertebrae

Manubrium articulation

• clavicle

• rib 1 (forms synchondroses joint)

• rib 2