Part 4 Axial Skeleton: Vertebral Column, Regions, and Associated Structures

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering spinal curvatures, general and regional vertebral anatomy, rib articulations, sacral features, vertebral column ligaments, and cervical neurovascular relationships based on lecture notes.

Primary Curves

Spinal curvatures retained from fetal curvature, comprising the thoracic curve and the sacrococcygeal curve.

Secondary Curves

Spinal curvatures that develop after birth, comprising the cervical curve and the lumbar curve.

Cervical Vertebrae

A series of seven vertebrae designated as $C_1-C_7$ forming the cervical region and secondary curvature of the neck.

Thoracic Vertebrae

A series of twelve vertebrae designated as $T_1-T_{12}$ that form a primary curve and articulate with the ribs.

Lumbar Vertebrae

A series of five vertebrae designated as $L_1-L_5$ that form the secondary curvature of the lower back.

Vertebral Body

The anterior, weight-bearing segment of a vertebra that separates adjacent intervertebral discs.

Vertebral Arch

The posterior bony ring attached to the vertebral body that, together with the body, surrounds the vertebral foramen.

Vertebral Foramen

The central opening bounded by the vertebral body and the vertebral arch through which the spinal cord passes.

Spinous Process

A posterior projection extending backward from the vertebral arch at the junction of the laminae.

Transverse Process

A lateral bony projection extending outward from each side of the vertebral arch.

Articular Facets

Smooth articulation surfaces located on the superior and inferior articular processes that link adjacent vertebrae together.

Atlas ($C_1$)

The first cervical vertebra, characterized by an anterior arch, a posterior arch, and superior articular facets that articulate with the skull.

Axis ($C_2$)

The second cervical vertebra, distinguished by the tooth-like dens projecting superiorly from its body.

Dens (Odontoid Process)

The prominent upright superior projection of the axis ($C_2$) that serves as a pivot point for the atlas.

Transverse Ligament

A ligament arching across the ring of the atlas that retains and stabilizes the dens against the anterior arch of the atlas.

Vertebra Prominens ($C_7$)

The seventh cervical vertebra, noted for its long, prominent spinous process that is easily palpable at the base of the neck.

Bifid Spinous Process

A spinous process that divides into two distinct tips or prongs, characteristic of typical cervical vertebrae.

Transverse Foramen

An opening located in each transverse process of a cervical vertebra through which the vertebral artery and vein pass.

Costal Facets (Superior and Inferior)

Smooth articular depressions on the bodies of thoracic vertebrae for articulation with the head of a rib.

Facet for Tubercle of Rib

An articular surface located on the transverse process of a thoracic vertebra that articulates with the tubercle of a rib.

Sacral Promontory

The prominent anterior lip of the superior border of the body of the first sacral vertebra.

Transverse Ridges (Sacrum)

Horizontal ridges on the anterior surface of the sacrum indicating the sites of fusion between the sacral vertebrae.

Anterior Sacral Foramina

Four paired openings on the anterior aspect of the sacrum providing passage for the anterior rami of sacral nerves.

Posterior Sacral Foramina

Paired apertures on the dorsal surface of the sacrum providing passage for the posterior rami of sacral nerves.

Median Sacral Crest

A midline ridge on the posterior surface of the sacrum formed by the fused spinous processes of the sacral vertebrae.

Sacral Hiatus

An inferior inverted U-shaped opening at the lower end of the sacral canal on the posterior surface of the sacrum.

Auricular Surface (Sacrum)

An ear-shaped lateral articular surface on the sacrum that articulates with the ilium of the hip bone.

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

A broad, strong fibrous band that runs longitudinally down the anterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs.

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

A fibrous band running longitudinally inside the vertebral canal along the posterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies.

Ligamentum Flavum

Yellow elastic ligaments that connect the laminae of adjacent vertebrae along the posterior wall of the vertebral canal.

Interspinous Ligaments

Thin, membranous ligaments connecting the adjacent spinous processes of adjoining vertebrae.

Supraspinous Ligament

A continuous cord-like band running along and connecting the apexes of the spinous processes from $C_7$ to the sacrum.

Intertransverse Ligaments

Fibrous bands interposed between and connecting the transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae.

Vertebral Artery

A major cervical blood vessel that ascends through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae to supply the brain.

Zygapophyseal Joint

A synovial joint enclosed by an articular capsule formed between the superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae.

Sulcus for Spinal Nerve

A groove on the superior surface of a cervical transverse process between the anterior and posterior tubercles that accommodates an emerging spinal nerve.

Interscalene Space

The triangular anatomic space bordered by the anterior scalene and middle scalene muscles, transmitting the brachial plexus trunks and subclavian artery.

Phrenic Nerve

A nerve that descends vertically across the anterior surface of the anterior scalene muscle in the cervical region.