Anatomy of Cervical and Thoracic Vertebrae

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Questions and Answers

Which part of the vertebral column is formed by 5 fused vertebrae?

Lumbar region

Coccyx

Sacrum (correct)

Thoracic region

What is the primary structural unit of muscle contraction?

Sarcomere (correct)

Myofibril

Myosin filament

Actin filament

How many cervical vertebrae are present in the vertebral column?

7 (correct)

What is the condition called when the vertebral column deviates from its sagittal axis?

Scoliosis Signup and view all the answers

What part of the vertebral column shows significant curvature in adults?

Cervical and lumbar regions Signup and view all the answers

In adults, how many total vertebrae comprise the vertebral column?

31 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the anterior concavities of the vertebral column?

They are present in adults as well. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the vertebral column of a newborn in terms of curvature?

It is almost straight. Signup and view all the answers

What feature is specifically well developed in the cervical vertebrae?

Shape of the vertebral foramen Signup and view all the answers

Which artery passes through the transverse foramen of the cervical vertebrae?

Vertebral artery Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the thoracic vertebrae is correct?

They contain costal facets for rib attachment. Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the cervical vertebra is relatively small to support the head?

Corpus Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the shape of the vertebral foramen in cervical vertebrae from other vertebrae?

It is half-circle shaped. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of transverse foramina in cervical vertebrae?

Allow passage of vertebral arteries. Signup and view all the answers

Which vertebra is considered the reference point for identifying cervical vertebrae?

C7 Signup and view all the answers

What feature is not present in the thoracic vertebrae compared to cervical vertebrae?

Transverse foramen Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of arteries in the cardiovascular system?

To take blood away from the heart Signup and view all the answers

Which type of connective tissue layer is primarily associated with the superficial fascia?

Loose connective tissue Signup and view all the answers

Which artery is an example of a muscular artery?

Renal artery Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes deep veins compared to superficial veins?

They accompany arteries and are larger Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to understand the layers of cardiovascular vessels?

To aid in identifying pathologies Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of the tunica intima in elastic arteries?

Endothelial cells Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes capillaries from other types of blood vessels?

They lack muscular and adventitia layers Signup and view all the answers

What type of connective tissue primarily composes the deep fascia?

Dense connective tissue and fat Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cervical Vertebrae

Cervical vertebrae have several features:
- Spinous Process: Well pronounced and long, longest in C7. C7 is a landmark - it can be felt through the skin at the base of the neck.
- Lamina: Part of the vertebral arch, helps enclose the vertebral foramen.
- Vertebral Foramen: Well-developed, shaped like a half-circle, unique to cervical vertebrae.
- Superior Articular Facets: Smooth, joint surfaces for articulation with the vertebrae above.
- Tubercles: Small bumps or projections on the vertebrae.
- Transverse Foramen: Present in all cervical vertebrae, allows passage for the vertebral arteries. These arteries are essential for blood supply to the brain, traveling from the caudal (lower) to the cranial (upper) direction.
Vertebral arteries contribute to the brain's blood supply along with the carotid arteries, which are located more medially and anteriorly.

Thoracic Vertebrae

The thoracic vertebrae differ from cervical vertebrae in:
- Spinous Process: Still present but differently shaped.
- Corpus: Bigger than cervical vertebrae.
- Vertebral Foramen: Oval shaped instead of a half-circle.
- Costal Facets: Present on the vertebrae, facilitate articulation with the ribs.

Muscle Contraction

Muscle contraction occurs within myofibrils due to the sliding of myosin filaments over actin filaments.
Myosin heads move along the actin filament, causing the fibers to shorten and contract.

Vertebral Column

The vertebral column consists of 31 or 32 vertebrae, divided into 5 sections:
- Cervical: 7 vertebrae
- Thoracic: 12 vertebrae
- Lumbar: 5 vertebrae
- Sacrum: 5 fused vertebrae
- Coccyx: 4 fused vertebrae (remnant of a tail)
The main axis of the vertebral column is the sagittal axis.
Scoliosis is a common pathology where the vertebral column deviates laterally from the sagittal axis.
Specific vertebrae (C7, C8, T12, T7, and all lumbar vertebrae) are used as landmarks.
The adult vertebral column exhibits two posterior convexities (kyphosis) and two anterior concavities (lordosis).
Newborn's vertebral column is nearly straight because the ligaments and muscles take time to develop.

General Body Study Approach

When studying an organ, the following order is recommended:
- Is the organ hollow or solid?
- What are the surface properties?
- Apply a systematic approach.
- Examine the microscopic structure.

Cardiovascular System

Consists of arteries and veins.
Arteries carry blood away from the heart, veins bring blood towards the heart.
Veins can be classified into superficial (smaller) and deep (larger) veins.
The artery system includes:
- Arteries: Thick muscular layer due to high pressure. Thinner adventitia layer than veins.
- Arterioles: Smaller branches of arteries.
- Capillaries: Thinnest vessels - lack a muscular layer and adventitia for gas exchange with peripheral organs.
Arteries are classified based on function:
- Elastic artery: Aorta, faces high pressure. Tunica intima (endothelial cells), thick muscular layer (smooth muscle cells), and adventitia layer.
- Muscular artery: Branches from the aorta, e.g., renal, celiac, mesenteric arteries. Thick adventitia layer as they enter organs.
Knowledge of vessel layers helps identify pathologies, such as arteriosclerotic disease (fatty plaque build-up which can lead to thrombus formation).

Fascia

Connective tissue layer that surrounds the body beneath the subcutaneous tissue (between skin and muscles/bones).
Superficial fascia: Located under the skin, loose connective tissue with passage for nerves and vessels.
Deep fascia: Primarily dense connective tissue and fat.

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Description

Explore the essential features of cervical and thoracic vertebrae in this quiz. Learn about the unique aspects of cervical vertebrae, including spinous processes, lamina, and the significance of the transverse foramen. Test your knowledge on the anatomy that supports the brain's blood supply and the overall structure of the spine.