Vertebrae Anatomy Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Vertebral Column

Study Notes

Anatomy of the Vertebral Column

The vertebral column is composed of 33 vertebral segments arranged in a concave-convex pattern, providing strength and resilience.
The vertebral column is divided into five regions: cervical (7 vertebrae), thoracic (12 vertebrae), lumbar (5 vertebrae), sacral (5 vertebrae fused together), and coccyx (4 coccygeal segments).

Joint Motions

The articulation between the head and C1 (atlas) allows for flexion and extension.
Most lateral bending and rotation occur between C1 and C2.
The muscles controlling head movement on the neck are the prevertebral muscles (anteriorly) and the suboccipital muscles (posteriorly).
Tucking the chin involves flexion on C1 and extension on C2-C7.
Relaxed forward head posture emphasizes cervical protraction.

Structure of a Vertebra

Vertebrae differ in size and shape but have a consistent layout, including the body, neural arch, vertebral foramen, pedicle, lamina, transverse process, vertebral notches, intervertebral foramen, articular process, and spinous process.
The intervertebral disk between every vertebra absorbs shock and maintains flexibility, making up approximately 25% of the total length of the vertebral column.
The annulus fibrosus is the outer portion of the intervertebral disk, while the nucleus pulposus is the inner, gel-like portion.

Anatomy of the Spine

The spine consists of concentrically arranged fibrocartilaginous rings called vertebrae, which contain the nucleus pulposus.
The nucleus pulposus is a pulpy gelatinous substance with a high water content in the center of the disk, which decreases with age, leading to a loss of height.

Distinguishing Vertebrae

The atlas (C1) is the first cervical vertebra, which supports the globe of the head.
The axis (C2) is the second cervical vertebra, which forms the pivot upon which the atlas rotates.
C7, also known as vertebra prominens, has a long and prominent spinous process that can be easily palpated with the neck in flexion.

Additional Features of the Cervical Vertebrae

Transverse foramen are holes or openings in the transverse process of the cervical vertebra through which the vertebral artery passes.
Facets are located superiorly and inferiorly on the sides of the bodies and on the transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae, where the ribs articulate with the vertebrae.
Demifacets are partial facets located laterally on the superior and inferior edges of the vertebral body where ribs articulate with thoracic vertebrae.

Differences in Vertebrae

The processes in the lumbar area are located in the sagittal plane, whereas in the thoracic area they are in the frontal plane, leading to different types of movement in each area.

Ligaments of the Spine

There are several ligaments that hold the vertebrae together, including the anterior longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, supraspinal ligament, interspinal ligament, ligamentum nuchae, and ligamentum flavum.

Lumbar Spine

The lumbar spine is the region of the human body most often injured due to its weight-bearing responsibilities and the location of most movement and disk herniations.
Most movement of the lumbar spine occurs between L4 and L5 and L5 and S1, and most disk herniations occur at these two levels.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a medical condition characterized by a fixed deformity that cannot be corrected fully by an active shift in posture.

Description

Test your knowledge on the structure and composition of the vertebral column, including its different regions and the arrangement of vertebrae. Learn about the spinal cord and its housing within the vertebral column, as well as joint motions and articulations.