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Vertebral Column and Body Wall Vocabulary - 70 Flashcards

Planes and Orientation

  • Median plane (sagittal plane): divides body into left and right halves.
  • Frontal (coronal) plane: divides body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) portions.
  • Transverse (axial) plane: divides body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.
  • Median planes of the limbs:
    • Median plane of the hand
    • Median plane of the foot
  • Anatomical orientation terms and their meanings:
    • Superior (cranial): nearer to the head. Example: The heart is superior to the stomach.
    • Inferior (caudal): nearer to the feet. Example: The stomach is inferior to the heart.
    • Anterior (ventral): nearer to the front. Example: Toes are anterior to the ankle.
    • Posterior (dorsal): nearer to the back. Example: The heel is posterior to the toes.
    • Medial: nearer to the median plane. Example: The 5th digit (little finger) is on the medial side of the hand.
    • Lateral: farther from the median plane. Example: The 1st digit (thumb) is on the lateral side of the hand.
    • Proximal: nearer to trunk or point of origin (e.g., elbow is proximal to the wrist).
    • Distal: farther from trunk or point of origin (e.g., wrist is distal to the elbow).
    • Dorsal surface (dorsum) of the hand/foot: the back of the hand or top of the foot.
    • Palmar surface (palm) of the hand; plantar surface (sole) of the foot.

Body Regions and Planes (from slides)

  • Regions listed in the TOC (head, neck, thorax, back, abdomen, lower limb, pelvis/perineum, upper limb) with views:
    • Anterior view
    • Posterior view

Movements and Joint Actions

  • Extension and Flexion:
    • Extension: increasing the angle between body parts or straightening a joint.
    • Flexion: decreasing the angle between body parts.
  • Other primary movements:
    • Abduction: moving away from the midline.
    • Adduction: moving toward the midline.
    • Lateral rotation: rotation away from the midline.
    • Medial rotation: rotation toward the midline.
    • Supination: turning the palm/sole upward.
    • Pronation: turning the palm/sole downward.
    • Reposition: return of the thumb to rest position after opposition; related to thumb movement.
    • Opposition: bringing the thumb and little finger together.
    • Reposition, Opposition, and related thumb movements involve the carpometacarpal joints.
    • Circumduction: circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction (at the hip joint, for example).
    • Eversion/Inversion: turning the sole of the foot outward/inward.
    • Dorsiflexion/Plantarflexion: at the ankle, lifting foot upward vs pointing toes downward.
    • Lateral bending (lateral flexion): bending the trunk sideways.
    • Rotation of head, neck, upper trunk.
  • Protraction/Retraction, Elevation/Depression:
    • Protraction and retraction of the scapula on the thoracic wall.
    • Elevation and depression of the shoulders.

Muscle Contraction and Examples (from text)

  • Deltoid example (arm in abduction):
    • Isometric contraction: Deltoid shortens to raise the arm in abduction.
    • Concentric contraction occurs when the muscle shortens during contraction to raise or lift.
    • Eccentric contraction occurs when the muscle lengthens while contracting to control lowering (e.g., lowering the arm in adduction).
  • Hamstrings example (thigh movement):
    • Hamstrings shorten to raise thigh; lengthen to lower thigh.

Nervous System: General Neuroanatomy (Muscle Innervation & Neuromuscular Junction)

  • Neuromuscular junction components:
    • Motor nerve fiber
    • Nucleus of muscle fiber
    • Nuclei of motor units and neuromuscular junction site
    • Synaptic cleft: space between motor neuron terminal and post-synaptic membrane
    • Vesicles of transmitter substance
    • Receptors on postsynaptic membrane
    • Mitochondrion present in synaptic region
  • Neuron organization:
    • Dendrites
    • Cell body (soma)
    • Axon
    • Impulses typically travel away from the cell body along the axon; impulses to the cell body travel via dendrites.
    • Direction of nerve impulse: from neuron cell body via axon to muscle (toward effector) or toward the cell body in sensory neurons.

Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves

  • Spinal cord overview (nerve root anatomy):
    • Posterior (dorsal) horns; anterior (ventral) horns.
    • Posterior rootlets; anterior rootlets.
    • Posterior root ganglion (spinal ganglion).
    • Anterior root; posterior root; mixed spinal nerve.
    • Spinal nerve divisions:
    • Posterior primary ramus
    • Anterior primary ramus (mixed ramus)
    • Denticulate ligament anchors spinal cord to the dura; runs within the spinal cord pia/dura interface.
    • Skin dermatomes and skeletal muscles are organized into dermatomes and myotomes respectively.
    • Spinal nerve segmentation and innervation patterns illustrated by myotomes and dermatomes.
  • Spinal cord meninges and spaces:
    • Dura mater
    • Arachnoid mater
    • Pia mater tightly adherent to spinal cord
    • Subarachnoid space contains CSF
    • Dural sac with denticulate ligaments
  • Nerve fiber organization at the spinal level:
    • Recurrent meningeal nerve (Zuckerkandl nerve) re-enters the vertebral canal.
    • Mixed spinal nerve contains both sensory (posterior ramus) and motor (anterior ramus) components.

Autonomic Nervous System: Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Pathways

  • Visceral (autonomic) pathways:
    • Sympathetic pathway:
    • Preganglionic fibers originate from the intermediolateral cell column (IML) in the spinal cord.
    • Course: enter sympathetic trunk via white ramus communicans; may ascend, descend, or synapse at the level of entry; may pass through trunk to abdominopelvic splanchnic nerves; may synapse at paravertebral ganglia or prevertebral (prevertebral) ganglia.
    • Postganglionic fibers travel via grey rami communicantes or directly with target organs.
    • Major routes consist of 4 courses within the trunk:
      1. Ascend to innervate head (cervical cardiopulmonary splanchnic nerves involved) when spinal nerves are superior to the IML level.
      2. Synapse at the level of entry (thoracic cardiopulmonary splanchnic nerves involved).
      3. Descend to synapse to innervate lower levels (lower limb innervation).
      4. Pass through trunk without synapsing to enter abdominopelvic splanchnic nerves for abdominal/pelvic viscera.
    • Parasympathetic pathway:
    • Vagus nerve (CN X) provides parasympathetic innervation to many viscera in thorax and abdomen.
  • General organization:
    • Visceral afferent (reflex) fibers convey sensory information (including pain) from viscera.
    • Somatic pathway includes general sensory and motor fibers for body wall and limbs.

Vascular and Neural Support of the Vertebral Column

  • Spinal vasculature:
    • Posterior spinal arteries and veins; anterior spinal artery and veins.
    • Posterior/Anterior segmental medullary arteries and veins.
    • Spinal branches arise from vertebral, intercostal, lumbar, or sacral arteries depending on level.
    • Segmental medullary arteries are irregular, large vessels that reach spinal arteries; radicular arteries accompany proximal spinal nerves but do not reach the spinal arteries.
  • Meninges and spaces:
    • Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater.
    • Epidural space contains fat and internal vertebral venous plexus (epidural venous plexus).
    • Dural root-sleeve surrounds the spinal nerve as it exits the intervertebral foramen.
    • Subarachnoid space contains CSF; denticulate ligament anchors the spinal cord laterally.
  • Venous drainage:
    • Basivertebral veins, anterior and posterior external vertebral venous plexuses, anterior/posterior internal vertebral venous (epidural) plexuses, intervertebral veins.

Back Surface Anatomy and Landmarks

  • Curvatures of the spine (adult):
    • Cervical lordosis: 2^
      angle° (2° curvature)
    • Thoracic kyphosis: 1^
      angle° (1° curvature)
    • Lumbar lordosis: 2^
      angle° (2° curvature)
    • Sacral kyphosis: 1^
      angle° (1° curvature)
  • Vertebral column landmarks (lateral view):
    • Cervical: 7 vertebrae; Thoracic: 12 vertebrae; Lumbar: 5 vertebrae; Sacrum: 5 fused segments; Coccyx: 4 segments (in some slides listed as 4).
    • Dens of C2 (axis) and atlas (C1).
    • Vertebral prominens: spinous process of C7.
    • Spinous processes: C2–T4 common landmarks; overlapping spinous processes in thoracic region.
  • Posterior landmarks:
    • Spinous processes; posterior median furrow; dimples indicating posterior superior iliac spines (PSIS).
    • Crossings: L4 spinous process, L4/L5 intervertebral disc; high points of iliac crests (supracristal plane).
    • Intergluteal cleft and sacral triangle; posterior superior iliac spines.
    • Trapezius borders; Rhomboid; Latissimus dorsi; Erector spinae (spinalis and other erector spinae parts).
  • Vertebral column segments and vertebral ends of ribs:
    • Head of ribs articulate with vertebral bodies and transverse processes; costal facets on vertebrae.
    • Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae (e.g., L2) and rib heads near thoracic vertebrae.
    • Sacrum and sacral foramina; coccygeal region.

Vertebral Column: Structure, Joints, and Disc Anatomy

  • Parts of a vertebra:
    • Spinous process; Transverse process (with transverse costal facet in thoracic region);
    • Vertebral arch (consisting of pedicle and lamina);
    • Vertebral body (the main weight-bearing component, derived from centrum);
    • Superior articular facet and inferior articular facet; Facet joint (zygapophysial joint).
    • Intervertebral foramen formed by adjacent pedicles; Vertebral foramen (spinal canal).
  • Intervertebral disc anatomy:
    • Nucleus pulposus (central gel-like core).
    • Anulus fibrosus (concentric lamellae surrounding nucleus).
    • IV disc weight-bearing: disc bears load and allows movement; weight-bearing disc compression depicted in imaging.
    • Endplates: superior and inferior vertebral end plates; epiphysial rims.
    • Annulus fibrosus defect can lead to herniation of nucleus pulposus.
  • Ligaments and joints:
    • Anterior longitudinal ligament; Posterior longitudinal ligament; Ligamentum flavum.
    • Intervertebral foramen; Intervertebral disc between vertebral bodies.
    • Zygapophysial (facet) joints between articular processes.
    • Intervertebral joints are reinforced by accessory ligaments: intertransverse ligaments, supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament.
  • Vertebral canal and foramina:
    • Vertebral canal houses the spinal cord and meninges.
    • Intervertebral foramina transmit spinal nerves and vessels.
    • Basivertebral vein and end-plates within vertebral bodies.

Pathologies and Imaging Features

  • Disc herniation:
    • Herniation of nucleus pulposus can compress nerve roots, often at L4/L5 or related levels depending on disc level.
    • Median MRI view demonstrates herniation patterns; posterolateral herniation may compress exiting nerve roots.
  • Spinal stenosis and foraminal stenosis can arise from degenerative changes in the vertebral arch and IV foramen.
  • Scoliosis and abnormal curvatures:
    • Normal curvatures vs excessive kyphosis or lordosis; scoliosis may be seen in posterior or thoracolumbar regions.

Back and Spine: Joints, Ligaments, and Vasculature (Detailed)

  • Joints of the vertebral bodies:
    • Intervertebral discs with nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus; weight-bearing disc mechanics under load illustrated by sagittal views.
  • Joints of the vertebral arches:
    • Zygapophysial (facet) joints; articulation between superior and inferior articular processes.
    • Capsule of zygapophysial joints; their joint cavities.
  • Intervertebral ligaments:
    • Anterior longitudinal ligament: runs along anterior aspect of vertebral bodies; reinforces stability.
    • Posterior longitudinal ligament: along posterior aspect within vertebral canal; supports posterior aspect of disc.
    • Ligamentum flavum: connects laminae of adjacent vertebrae; forms part of posterior wall of vertebral canal.
  • Intervertebral discs:
    • IV disc composed of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus; disc height and weight bearing highlighted in diagrams.
  • Meninges and spaces:
    • Epidural (internal vertebral venous) plexus; Dura mater; Arachnoid mater; Pia mater; Subarachnoid space containing CSF.
  • Venous drainage and basivertebral veins:
    • Basivertebral veins drain vertebral bodies; anterior and posterior internal vertebral venous plexuses; external vertebral venous plexuses.

Imaging, Clinical Correlation, and Landmarks

  • MRI and anatomy references:
    • Median and transverse MRI views illustrate disc herniation, nerve root compression, and CSF spaces.
  • Surface and radiologic landmarks for procedures:
    • Posterior median furrow, PSIS dimples, L4/L5 disc level, iliac crests alignment, sacral hiatus.

Ribs, Pelvis, and Pelvic Girdle Landmarks (select notes)

  • Ribs: head articulations with vertebrae; 12 ribs with thoracic vertebrae; 11th and 12th ribs have distinctive features.
  • Pelvis landmarks:
    • Posterior superior iliac spines (PSIS)
    • Iliac crest and iliac tubercle
    • Sacral triangle; sacral hiatus
    • Intergluteal cleft
  • Shoulder girdle and back muscle landmarks:
    • Trapezius, Rhomboid, Latissimus dorsi, Erector spinae (spinalis and related muscles)

Quick Reference: Key Terms Summary

  • Planes: ext{median}
    ightarrow ext{sagittal}, ext{frontal (coronal)}, ext{transverse (axial)}
  • Directional terms: ext{superior}, ext{inferior}, ext{anterior}, ext{posterior}, ext{medial}, ext{lateral}, ext{proximal}, ext{distal}
  • Movement terminology: ext{flexion}, ext{extension}, ext{abduction}, ext{adduction}, ext{rotation (lateral/medial)}, ext{supination/pronation}, ext{circumduction}, ext{inversion/eversion}, ext{dorsiflexion/plantarflexion}, ext{elevation/depression}, ext{protraction/retraction}, ext{reposition}, ext{opposition}
  • Structural anatomy: ext{nucleus pulposus}, ext{annulus fibrosus}, ext{IV disc}, ext{vertebral foramen}, ext{pedicle}, ext{lamina}, ext{spinous/transverse processes}, ext{zygapophysial joints}
  • Nervous system: ext{neurolemma (Schwann) cell}, ext{myelin}, ext{axon}, ext{synapses}, ext{neuromuscular junction}
  • Autonomic pathways: ext{IML cell column}, ext{white/gray rami communicantes}, ext{sympathetic trunk}, ext{presynaptic/postsynaptic}
  • Curvatures: C{ ext{neck}}=2^ angle, ext{T}{ ext{thorax}}=1^
    angle, ext{L}{ ext{back}}=2^ angle, ext{S}{ ext{sacrum}}=1^
    angle
  • Common clinical patterns: ext{herniation at L4/L5 compressing L5 nerve root (median views)}

Notes on sources and figures

  • The above notes summarize concepts and examples shown across the slides, including planes, directional terms, movement types, joint actions, skeletal anatomy, nervous system organization, autonomic pathways, vertebral column structure and disc anatomy, back surface landmarks, curvatures, and common imaging findings such as disc herniation and scoliosis.