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The nucleus pulposus is a hard, bony material found in intervertebral discs.
False
A slipped disc refers to a tear in the annulus fibrosus that allows the nucleus pulposus to bulge out.
True
Osteogenesis imperfecta is characterized by excessive deposition of bone tissue due to collagen mutation.
False
Elderly individuals can lose up to 1.8 cm in height due to disc dehydration.
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The adult vertebral column has five primary curves.
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The human skull is composed of 14 bones in the neurocranium.
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A diastatic fracture involves the separation of cranial sutures.
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Sutures in the adult skull are composed of cartilaginous tissue.
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Plagiocephaly is a condition associated with ossified sutures.
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The mandible is classified as one of the bones in the viscerocranium.
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The lacrimal bone is located in the posterior part of the skull.
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Synostosis refers to the continuous growth of bone margins in sutures.
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The frontal bone is part of the viscerocranium.
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The lumbar vertebrae are characterized by a convex, kidney-shaped body.
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The sacrum is formed by the fusion of five vertebrae.
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Coccydynia refers to pain in the lumbar region.
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Some individuals may have up to six lumbar vertebrae.
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The coccyx, also known as the tailbone, consists of four fused terminal bones.
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The costovertebral joint includes articulation between ribs and the lumbar vertebrae.
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The sacrococcygeal joint connects the sacrum to the coccyx.
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The short and sturdy spinous processes of lumbar vertebrae overlap.
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The sacrum articulates superiorly with the thoracic vertebrae.
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The lumbar vertebrae are the largest vertebrae in the human body.
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The Atlas (C1) has a body and a spinous process.
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The strongest cervical vertebra is considered to be the Axis (C2).
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The thoracic vertebrae have a descending size pattern from T1 to T12.
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The foramen of cervical vertebrae is typically heart-shaped.
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The costovertebral joint connects ribs with the bodies of lumbar vertebrae.
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The transverse processes of the Atlas are positioned more laterally than those of other vertebrae.
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The odontoid process, or dens, is a feature of the Atlas (C1).
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The thoracic vertebrae allow for the greatest degree of lateral flexion among spinal regions.
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The superior articular facets of the Axis allow for side-to-side head movements.
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The radiate ligament strengthens the connection between the rib heads and the thoracic vertebrae.
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The axial skeleton consists of 30 vertebrae in adults.
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Fractures in the cervical region above C4 can lead to paralysis of the diaphragm.
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The transverse processes of a vertebra are primarily involved in weight bearing.
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The coccyx is composed of five separate vertebrae in all adults.
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The vertebral foramen is triangular in shape in cervical vertebrae.
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Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition that inflates the vertebral body.
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The largest vertebra is located at the cervical region.
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The thoracic region of the spine is primarily responsible for sensory and motor loss in lower extremities.
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C1 and C2 vertebrae are specialized for head movement.
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The spinous process of a typical vertebra can be felt through the skin.
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Study Notes
Skull
- The skull is composed of 22 bones
- 8 bones form the neurocranium (braincase)
- 14 bones form the viscerocranium (face)
- Sutures connect the bones of the skull
- Sutures are fibrous joints
- In newborns, sutures are referred to as fontanelles
- Sutures can ossify, a process known as synostosis
- Skull fractures are classified into four major types
- Linear fractures are cracks along the bone
- Depressed fractures occur when bone is pushed inwards
- Diastatic fractures involve separation of sutures
- Basilar fractures involve the base of the skull
- Compound fractures involve lacerations of all layers
Vertebral Column
- The vertebrae are the bones that form the vertebral column
- 33 vertebrae make up the vertebral column
- The vertebrae are divided into five regions
- Cervical (C1-C7) - neck
- Thoracic (T1-T12) - upper back
- Lumbar (L1-L5) - lower back
- Sacrum - five fused vertebrae
- Coccyx (tailbone) - three to five fused vertebrae
- The vertebral column functions to bear weight, support the head, enable bodily movement, provide attachment points for ribs and protect vital structures within the vertebral canal, such as the spinal cord, descending aorta, vena cavae, thoracic duct, and esophagus.
- The vertebral column also helps maintain posture.
- The vertebral column has four curves:
- Two primary curvatures: thoracic and sacral
- Two secondary curvatures: cervical and lumbar
- Each vertebrae has several features:
- Vertebral body: for supporting body weight
- Vertebral arch: encloses the vertebral foramen, which contains the spinal cord
- Pedicles: lateral walls of the vertebral arch
- Laminae: posterior walls of the vertebral arch
- Vertebral processes: for attaching muscles and ligaments
- Transverse processes (2) - for muscle attachment and movement
- Spinous process (1) - can be felt through the skin
- Articular processes (4) - for restricting movement
Cervical Vertebrae
- The smallest vertebrae in the vertebral column
- Have the greatest range and variety of movement
- The vertebral body is short and square, concave superiorly and convex inferiorly
- The vertebral foramen is triangular in shape
- The spinous process is short and bifid (except for C7)
- C1 and C2 are specialized for skull articulation
- The atlas (C1) is atypical, having no body or spinous process
- Has a ring of bone on which the skull rests, consisting of paired lateral masses that articulate with the occipital condyles.
- It is the widest vertebrae, providing increased leverage for attached muscles
- The axis (C2) forms the pivot for side-to-side movement of the head
- It has a strong odontoid process (dens) that serves as the pivot
- The dens is held in place by the transverse ligament
Thoracic Vertebrae
- Provide attachment for ribs
- Greater degree of rotation due to the orientation of their articular facets
- Larger than cervical, to support more body weight
- Vertebral bodies are heart shaped, with circular foramina
- The spinous processes overlap
- Facets on the vertebral bodies and transverse processes articulate with ribs
Lumbar Vertebrae
- Largest vertebrae
- Concave, kidney-shaped bodies
- Short, sturdy spinous process that do not overlap
- Some individuals have four or six lumbar vertebrae
Sacrum
- Five fused vertebrae
- Wedge-shaped with a concave anterior surface
- Articulates with L5, the ilium (at the sacroiliac joint), and the coccyx
- The promontory protrudes into the pelvic cavity
- Has foramina for the passage of nerves
Coccyx
- Four fused terminal bones
- Provides attachment for muscles and ligaments
- Stabilises the sitting person
- Coccydynia refers to pain in the coccygeal region
Intervertebral Discs
- Separate adjacent vertebrae
- Thinnest in the cervical region, progressively thicker towards lumbar
- Act as shock absorbers and provide flexibility to the vertebral column
- Composed of a nucleus pulposus (soft, pulpy, yellowish elastic material) surrounded by an annulus fibrosus (concentric ring of fibrous tissue and fibrocartilage)
- "Slipped disc" is a misnomer - It refers to a tear in the annulus fibrosus, allowing the nucleus pulposus to bulge out
- Disc dehydration contributes to height loss over time
Thoracic Cage
- Formed by the thoracic vertebrae, ribs, and sternum
- Protects the heart and lungs
- Supports the shoulder girdle
- Provides attachment for muscles of respiration, the back, chest, and upper limbs.
Appendicular Skeleton
- Composed of the bones of the limbs and their girdles
- The upper limb consists of the shoulder girdle (scapula and clavicle), arm, forearm, wrist, and hand
- The lower limb consists of the pelvic girdle (hip bones), thigh, leg, ankle and foot.
Fracture Repair
- Fracture repair involves several stages:
- Hematoma formation: A blood clot forms at the fracture site
- Soft callus formation: New blood vessels form and fibroblast and chondroblasts produce cartilage
- Hard callus formation: Osteoblasts produce bony callus
- Remodelling: The callus is remodelled into bone tissue
- Excess callus is removed over time
Common Problems
- Osteomalacia and Rickets: Mineralization of bone matrix is poor due to vitamin D deficiency
- Bony spurs: Abnormal projections on bone caused by overgrowth
- Osteoporosis: Decreased bone density due to faster resorption than deposition
- Osteogenesis imperfecta: Brittle bone due to a mutation in the collagen gene
- Paget's disease: Excessive bone deposition and resorption leading to malformation of bone tissue
- Osteomyelitis: Infection of bone
- Avascular necrosis: Bone death due to loss of blood supply
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Description
Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the skull and vertebral column. This quiz covers the types of bones, fractures, and regions of the vertebral column. Perfect for students studying human anatomy and physiology.
