Anatomy LE 2: Deep Back

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Questions and Answers

What is the outermost structure of the back?

Vertebral column

Spinal cord and meninges

Skin and subcutaneous tissue (correct)

Muscles

What type of curvature occurs during fetal development in the womb?

Kyphosis (correct)

Cervical lordosis

Lordosis

Scoliosis

What is the main reason for the development of cervical lordosis?

Gaining control of the neck and sitting upright (correct)

Gaining control of the legs and standing upright

Rolling over and crawling

Holding the head erect while sleeping

What is the function of the intervertebral discs?

To absorb shock and provide cushioning Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure that connects the vertebrae together?

Ligaments Signup and view all the answers

Which region of the vertebral column exhibits secondary curvature?

Cervical and lumbar regions Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the curvature that occurs in the thoracic region?

Kyphosis Signup and view all the answers

What direction is the spinous process of T1 angled?

Inferiorly Signup and view all the answers

Which thoracic vertebra has a solitary costal facet?

T12 Signup and view all the answers

What is the orientation of the articulating facets in T1?

Vertical Signup and view all the answers

Which thoracic vertebrae have some features of cervical vertebrae?

T1-T4 Signup and view all the answers

What is the anatomical landmark associated with T4?

Angle of Louis Signup and view all the answers

Which thoracic vertebra has the shortest spinous process?

T12 Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the vertebral bodies in T9-T12?

Larger Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the vertebral foramen in the cervical region?

Triangular Signup and view all the answers

What is the orientation of the articular facets in the cervical region?

Superior facet superoposteriorly and inferior facet infero-anteriorly Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the vertebral body in the cervical region?

Small and wide Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the intervertebral discs in the cervical region?

Tall and relatively thick Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of movement in the cervical region?

Flexion, extension, lateral flexion, limited rotation, and circumduction Signup and view all the answers

Which vertebrae are atypical in the cervical region?

C1, C2, and C7 Signup and view all the answers

What is the relative amount of surrounding body mass in the cervical region?

Small amount Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the interspinous ligament?

To inhibit flexion Signup and view all the answers

Which ligament connects the tips of the spinous processes from C7 to the sacrum?

Supraspinous ligament Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the spinous process of lumbar vertebrae?

Hatchet shaped Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the intertransverse ligament in the lumbar region?

Thin and membranous Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the spinous process of lumbar vertebrae?

To facilitate flexion, extension, and lateral flexion Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the 5th lumbar vertebra (L5)?

It is the tallest of all movable vertebrae Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the intertransverse ligament?

To inhibit contralateral fibers Signup and view all the answers

What is the location of the intervertebral foramina?

Between the two pedicles Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the 5th lumbar vertebra (L5)?

To support the upper body weight Signup and view all the answers

What forms the sacrum region?

5 bones fused together Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential site of herniation in the superolateral aspect of IV discs?

The annulus fibrosus Signup and view all the answers

What is the orientation of the inferior facets?

Oriented anterolaterally Signup and view all the answers

What compresses the spinal nerves as they emerge through the IV foramina?

Disc herniation Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the body of the 5th lumbar vertebra (L5)?

Markedly deeper anteriorly Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the ligamentum flavum?

To support the PLL Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cervical Region Vertebrae

Vertebral bodies are small and wide; vertebral foramen is the largest and triangular.
Articular facets: superior facet directed superoposteriorly, inferior facet directed infero-anteriorly, allowing nearly horizontal articulation.
Intervertebral discs (IV discs) are tall and relatively thick, offering flexibility with limited body mass.
Cervical region allows for a wide range of movements: flexion, extension, lateral flexion, limited rotation, and circumduction.
C1, C2, and C7 are atypical vertebrae; C3-C6 represent typical vertebrae.

Thoracic Region Vertebrae

Atypical thoracic vertebrae (T1-T4) display features reminiscent of cervical vertebrae: smaller bodies and different articulations for ribs.
T1 possesses a complete costal facet; thoracic vertebrae articulate with ribs via costal facets.
Thoracic region features: large body, inferiorly angled spinous processes, and transverse processes for rib articulation.
T9-T12 exhibit traits of lumbar vertebrae, particularly T12, which has a massive body and short spinous process.

Vertebral Anatomical Landmarks

Key thoracic landmarks: T2 at sternal notch, T4 at Angle of Louis, T9 at xiphoid process.
Intervertebral disc herniation often occurs superolaterally where the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) is absent, potentially compressing spinal nerves.

Ligament Functions

Interspinous ligaments connect adjoining spinous processes, inhibiting flexion.
Supraspinous ligaments extend from C7 to sacrum, merging with the nuchal ligament, preventing hyperflexion and excessive lateral flexion.
Intertransverse ligaments differ in thickness by region, aiding in stabilizing vertebral function.

Joints and Movements

Various joints include those between vertebral bodies, vertebral arches, craniovertebral joints (atlanto-axial, atlanto-occipital), costovertebral joints, and sacroiliac joints.

Vertebral Column Structure

The back consists of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles (both superficial and deep), vertebral column (vertebrae and IV discs), ligaments, ribs, spinal cord, meninges, nerves, and vessels.

Vertebral Curvatures

Primary curvature (kyphosis) is present at birth, characterized by anterior concavity in thoracic and sacral regions.
Secondary curvature (lordosis) develops during infancy and childhood, marked by posterior concavity in cervical and lumbar regions.

Lumbar Region Vertebrae

Lumbar vertebrae feature short, sturdy, thick, and broad hatchet-shaped spinous processes.
Movement facilitated: flexion, extension, lateral flexion at the waist; prohibits rotation.
L5 vertebra is the largest and bears the upper body's weight, with a notably deeper anterior body for lumbosacral angle formation.

Sacrum Region

The sacrum comprises five fused bones (S1-S5) that form a large bony plate with ossified transverse ridges, enhancing stability.

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