The Back – DEN 015 Topic 2 Lecture Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key anatomical terms, structures, joints, ligaments, muscles, and neurovascular features of the back and vertebral column.

Back (Anatomy)

Posterior surface of the trunk extending from the skull to the tip of the coccyx.

Vertebral Column

Central bony pillar that supports the skull, pectoral and pelvic girdles, protects the spinal cord, and transmits body weight.

Total Vertebrae

33 vertebrae: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 fused sacral, 4 coccygeal (lower 3 usually fused).

Typical Vertebra – Body

Rounded anterior mass that bears weight.

Typical Vertebra – Vertebral Arch

Posterior bony ring formed by pedicles and laminae that encloses the vertebral foramen.

Typical Vertebra – Vertebral Foramen

Opening within a vertebra that houses the spinal cord and meninges.

Pedicle

Paired short processes connecting the vertebral body to the transverse process.

Lamina

Paired plates joining the transverse process to the spinous process, completing the vertebral arch posteriorly.

Spinous Process

Single posterior projection from the junction of the laminae.

Transverse Processes

Paired lateral projections from the junction of pedicle and lamina.

Articular Processes

Four vertically oriented processes (2 superior, 2 inferior) that form zygapophyseal joints.

Foramen Transversarium

Opening in cervical transverse processes that transmits vertebral vessels (artery C1–C6, vein C1–C7).

Typical Cervical Vertebra

Small, broad body; bifid spinous process; large triangular foramen; transverse foramina.

Atlas (C1)

Ring-shaped cervical vertebra lacking a body and spinous process; supports the skull.

Axis (C2)

Cervical vertebra with odontoid process (dens) projecting superiorly for rotation of the atlas.

Vertebra Prominens (C7)

Cervical vertebra with the longest, non-bifid spinous process and small foramen transversarium.

Typical Thoracic Vertebra

Heart-shaped body, small circular foramen, long downward spine, costal facets for ribs.

Costal Facets

Smooth areas on thoracic vertebrae for articulation with rib heads and tubercles.

Typical Lumbar Vertebra

Large kidney-shaped body, short quadrangular spinous process, long slender transverse processes.

Sacrum

Five fused vertebrae forming a wedge-shaped bone concave anteriorly.

Coccyx

Four fused vertebrae forming a small triangular bone that articulates with the sacrum.

Intervertebral Disc

Fibrocartilaginous pad between vertebral bodies composed of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus.

Annulus Fibrosus

Peripheral concentrically layered fibrocartilage of an intervertebral disc.

Nucleus Pulposus

Central gelatinous, water-rich core of an intervertebral disc acting as a shock absorber.

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

Strong band running along the anterior vertebral bodies from skull to sacrum.

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Narrow ligament on the posterior vertebral bodies inside the vertebral canal.

Ligamentum Flavum

Elastic ligament connecting adjacent laminae of vertebrae.

Supraspinous Ligament

Connects the tips of adjacent spinous processes; forms ligamentum nuchae in cervical region.

Interspinous Ligament

Thin membranes connecting adjacent spinous processes along their lengths.

Intertransverse Ligament

Fibrous bands uniting adjacent transverse processes.

Zygapophyseal (Facet) Joint

Synovial joint between superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae.

Intervertebral Joint

Cartilaginous joint between vertebral bodies incorporating an intervertebral disc.

Atlanto-Occipital Joint

Synovial joint between occipital condyles and superior facets of the atlas allowing nodding motions.

Atlanto-Axial Joint

Three synovial joints (one median, two lateral) permitting rotation of the head.

Apical Ligament

Median ligament connecting the apex of the dens to the foramen magnum.

Alar Ligaments

Paired ligaments linking sides of dens to occipital condyles, limiting rotation.

Cruciate Ligament of Atlas

Cross-shaped ligament with transverse and vertical parts securing dens against anterior arch of atlas.

Membrana Tectoria

Upward continuation of posterior longitudinal ligament covering dens and its ligaments.

Cervical Lordosis

Anterior convex curvature of the cervical spine acquired when an infant lifts the head.

Thoracic Kyphosis

Posterior convex curvature of the thoracic spine; exaggerated curvature called kyphosis.

Lumbar Lordosis

Anterior convex curvature of the lumbar spine developed when a child begins to walk.

Kyphosis (Clinical)

Exaggerated thoracic curvature producing a round-shouldered appearance.

Erector Spinae

Large superficial vertical muscle group (iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis) extending the spine.

Iliocostalis

Lateral column of erector spinae running from iliac crest to ribs and cervical transverse processes.

Longissimus

Intermediate column of erector spinae extending from lumbar region to mastoid process.

Spinalis

Medial column of erector spinae adjacent to spinous processes.

Transversospinalis Group

Intermediate oblique muscles (semispinalis, multifidus, rotatores) spanning transverse to spinous processes.

Semispinalis

Transversospinalis muscle spanning 4–6 vertebrae; prominent in cervical region (semispinalis capitis).

Multifidus

Deep muscle spanning 2–4 vertebrae, thick in lumbar region, stabilizes vertebral column.

Rotatores

Shortest transversospinalis muscles spanning 1–2 segments, assisting rotation and proprioception.

Interspinales

Small paired muscles connecting adjacent spinous processes, aiding extension.

Intertransversarii

Small paired muscles between transverse processes, assisting lateral flexion.

Splenius Capitis

Superficial neck muscle from ligamentum nuchae to mastoid; extends, rotates, and laterally flexes head.

Splenius Cervicis

Muscle from upper thoracic spines to cervical transverse processes; works with splenius capitis.

Auscultatory Triangle

Back region bordered by trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and scapula; optimal for listening to lung sounds.

Lumbar Triangle

Weak area of posterior abdominal wall bordered by latissimus dorsi, external oblique, and iliac crest.

Thoracolumbar Fascia

Strong deep fascia with posterior, middle, and anterior layers enclosing deep back muscles.

Posterior Intercostal Arteries

Branch of thoracic aorta supplying thoracic back muscles and vertebrae.

External Vertebral Venous Plexus

Valveless veins surrounding the vertebral column communicating with systemic veins.

Internal Vertebral Venous Plexus

Epidural venous network inside the vertebral canal draining spinal cord and meninges.

Spinal Cord

Cylindrical CNS structure ending at L1 in adults; continuous with medulla oblongata.

Conus Medullaris

Tapered terminal end of the spinal cord around L1–L2 level.

Filum Terminale

Pia mater extension anchoring the conus medullaris to the coccyx.

Cauda Equina

Bundle of lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal nerve roots descending below the spinal cord.

Cervical Enlargement

Spinal cord widening (C4–T1) for brachial plexus innervation to upper limbs.

Lumbar Enlargement

Spinal cord widening (L1–S3) for lumbosacral plexus innervation to lower limbs.

Dura Mater (Spinal)

Tough outer meningeal layer extending to S2 and forming the dural sac.

Arachnoid Mater (Spinal)

Delicate middle meningeal layer lining the dural sac and forming the subarachnoid space.

Pia Mater (Spinal)

Vascular inner meningeal layer closely investing the spinal cord.

Ligamentum Denticulatum

Lateral tooth-like extensions of pia mater anchoring the spinal cord to dura mater.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Clear fluid in ventricles and subarachnoid space cushioning brain and spinal cord.

Posterior Root Ganglion

Sensory neuronal cell body cluster outside the spinal cord on each posterior root.

Anterior Ramus

Large branch of a spinal nerve supplying limbs and anterior trunk.

Posterior Ramus

Smaller branch of a spinal nerve supplying deep back muscles and skin.

Anterior Spinal Artery

Single artery in anterior median fissure supplying two-thirds of spinal cord.

Posterior Spinal Arteries

Paired arteries running near posterior roots supplying posterior third of spinal cord.

Radicular (Segmental Medullary) Arteries

Vessels reinforcing spinal arteries as they enter via intervertebral foramina.