Bones of the Vertebral Column

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the vertebral column?

To provide vertical support for the body, support the weight of the head, maintain an upright body position, and house and protect the delicate spinal cord.

How many individual vertebrae are present in the adult vertebral column?

Which two vertebrae do not articulate with adjacent vertebrae?

The first and last vertebrae

What is the purpose of palpating bones in a lab setting?

To understand how the bone is placed, how it associates with other bones, how it moves in a living body, and how we use it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the region that consists of seven vertebrae and forms the bones of the neck?

Cervical region Signup and view all the answers

How do thoracic vertebrae articulate with ribs?

Each thoracic vertebra articulates laterally with one or two pairs of ribs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the first cervical vertebra that articulates superiorly with the occipital condyles of the skull?

C1 Signup and view all the answers

How many divisions or regions are present in the vertebral column?

Five Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the bony structure formed from the fusion of five sacral vertebrae (S1-S5) in the mid to late 20s?

Sacrum Signup and view all the answers

How many coccygeal vertebrae (Co1-Co4) unite to form the coccyx, also known as the tailbone?

Four Signup and view all the answers

Which type of spinal curvature is directed posteriorly, producing a hunchback look?

Hyperkyphosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine?

Scoliosis Signup and view all the answers

How many spinal curvatures are present in the adult vertebral column when viewed from a lateral perspective?

Four Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the primary curvature that appears at birth and arches posteriorly?

Thoracic curvature Signup and view all the answers

At what age does the cervical curvature typically appear?

3-4 months Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason for the sacral curvature typically being less pronounced in females?

To allow for a greater pelvic outlet to accommodate the passage of an infant through the birth canal Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for an exaggerated lumbar curvature, often seen as a protrusion of the abdomen and buttocks?

Hyperlordosis Signup and view all the answers

Which vertebrae form the inferior concave region of the back, also known as the lumbar region?

Five lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the vertebral foramen?

The vertebral foramen is an opening that collectively forms the vertebral canal, which contains the spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the intervertebral discs in the vertebral column?

The intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers between the vertebral bodies and permit the vertebral column to bend. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two parts of the vertebral arch?

The two parts of the vertebral arch are the pedicles and the laminae. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the articular facets on the superior and inferior articular processes of each vertebra?

The articular facets on the superior and inferior articular processes of each vertebra articulate with each other to form joints between adjacent vertebrae. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the opening between adjacent vertebrae that provides a passageway for spinal nerves?

The term is intervertebral foramina. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the protrusion of the nucleus pulposus into or through the anulus fibrosus?

The term is herniated disc. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the cervical and lumbar herniated discs in terms of symptoms?

Cervical herniated discs cause neck pain and pain down the upper limb, whereas lumbar herniated discs frequently cause low back pain. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the condition that occurs when a herniated lumbar disc starts to pinch nerve roots?

The term is sciatica. Signup and view all the answers

What is the weight-bearing structure of each vertebra?

The weight-bearing structure of each vertebra is the centrum or body. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the passageway that spinal nerves extend through?

The name of the passageway is the intervertebral foramina. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the transverse foramina in cervical vertebrae?

To house the vertebral artery and vein Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic shape of the bodies of cervical vertebrae?

Kidney-bean-shaped Signup and view all the answers

Why are cervical vertebrae relatively small and light?

Because they support only the weight of the head Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the surgical technique in which the herniated disc portion is removed?

Microdiscectomy Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the artificial disc replacement in surgical interventions?

To replace herniated disc portions Signup and view all the answers

Why do intervertebral discs expand and spring back to their original shape during sleep?

Due to the removal of body weight and gravity Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of the spinous process in cervical vertebrae (C2-C6)?

Slender and often bifid Signup and view all the answers

Why are thoracic vertebrae larger than cervical vertebrae?

Because they support more body weight Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the first cervical vertebra that supports the head?

Atlas (C1) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the laminae of the nearby vertebrae in discectomy?

To be incised before removing the herniated disc Signup and view all the answers

What is the unique feature that distinguishes the atlas from other vertebrae?

The atlas lacks a body and a spinous process. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the dens on the axis (C2)?

The dens acts as a pivot for the lateral rotation of both the atlas and the skull. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the vertebra that represents a transition from the cervical to the thoracic vertebral region?

The seventh cervical vertebra, also called the vertebra prominens (C7). Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinctive feature of the thoracic vertebrae?

The presence of costal facets or costal demifacets on the lateral side of the body and on the sides of the transverse processes. Signup and view all the answers

How do the thoracic vertebrae vary with respect to their transverse costal facets?

Vertebrae T1–T10 have transverse costal facets on their transverse processes; T11 and T12 lack these transverse costal facets. Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of herniated intervertebral discs on the nervous system?

They may pinch on the spinal cord or portions of spinal nerves and cause pain or numbness. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the atlanto-occipital joint?

It permits us to nod our heads 'yes'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the joint that allows for partial rotation of the atlas?

The atlantoaxial joint. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the atlas having depressed, oval superior and inferior articular facets?

These facets articulate with the occipital condyles and the axis (C2), respectively. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the vertebra prominens (C7) easily palpated through the skin?

Because its spinous process is much longer than those of the other cervical vertebrae. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic that distinguishes lumbar vertebrae from other types of vertebrae?

The absence of transverse foramina and costal facets. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the thick spinous processes in lumbar vertebrae?

To provide extensive surface area for the attachment of inferior back muscles that reinforce or adjust the lumbar curvature. Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical age range when the five sacral vertebrae fuse to form the sacrum?

Between 20 and 30 years old. Signup and view all the answers

What are the horizontal lines of fusion on the anterior surface of the sacrum called?

Transverse ridges. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the severe pain resulting from a coccyx injury?

Coccydynia. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the bony projections on either side of the sacral hiatus?

Sacral cornua. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the joint formed by the articulation of the sacrum with the os coxae of the pelvic girdle?

Sacroiliac joint. Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical direction of the coccyx in males and females?

In males, it tends to project anteriorly, and in females, it tends to project more inferiorly. Signup and view all the answers

What are the bony projections on the lateral surface of the first coccygeal vertebra called?

Coccygeal cornua. Signup and view all the answers

At what age do the four coccygeal vertebrae typically fuse to form the coccyx?

Around age 25. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vertebral Column

The adult vertebral column is composed of 26 bones, including 24 individual vertebrae and the fused vertebrae that form the sacrum and coccyx.
Each vertebra (except the first and last) articulates with one superior vertebra and one inferior vertebra.

Types of Vertebrae

There are five types of vertebrae, which are classified into regions:
- Cervical vertebrae (7, designated C1-C7): form the bones of the neck.
- Thoracic vertebrae (12, designated T1-T12): form the superior region of the back.
- Lumbar vertebrae (5, designated L1-L5): form the inferior concave region of the back.
- Sacrum (5 fused vertebrae, designated S1-S5): forms a single bony structure by the mid to late 20s.
- Coccyx (4 fused vertebrae, designated Co1-Co4): forms a single bony structure by puberty.

Spinal Curvatures

The vertebral column has four spinal curvatures:
- Cervical curvature: appears after birth, arches anteriorly, and helps shift the trunk weight over the legs.
- Thoracic curvature: appears at birth, arches posteriorly, and results in a C-shaped vertebral column.
- Lumbar curvature: appears after birth, arches anteriorly, and helps shift the trunk weight over the legs.
- Sacral curvature: appears at birth, arches posteriorly, and results in a C-shaped vertebral column.
Spinal curvature abnormalities include hyperkyphosis, hyperlordosis, and scoliosis.

Vertebral Anatomy

A typical vertebra consists of:
- Body (centrum): the weight-bearing structure of each vertebra.
- Vertebral arch (neural arch): consists of two pedicles and two laminae.
- Pedicles: originate from the posterolateral margins of the body.
- Laminae: extend posteromedially from the posterior edge of each pedicle.
- Spinous process: projects posteriorly from the junction of the left and right laminae.
- Transverse processes: lateral projections on both sides of the vertebral arch.
- Superior and inferior articular processes: originate at the junction between the pedicles and laminae.
- Intervertebral discs: pads of fibrocartilage that separate adjacent vertebral bodies.

Characteristics of Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar Vertebrae

Cervical vertebrae:
- Small and light
- Kidney-bean-shaped bodies
- Transverse foramina in transverse processes
- Smaller spinous processes
Thoracic vertebrae:
- Medium-sized
- Heart-shaped bodies
- Costal facets or costal demifacets on the lateral side of the body and on the sides of the transverse processes
- Larger spinous processes
Lumbar vertebrae:
- Largest vertebrae
- Oval or round bodies
- No transverse foramina or costal facets
- Thicker spinous processes### Coccyx and Sacrum
Bruising and fractures of the coccyx take many weeks to heal and are often treated conservatively with rest, ice, and NSAIDs.
The coccyx is formed by the fusion of four small coccygeal vertebrae, which start fusing by around age 25.
The coccyx serves as an attachment site for several ligaments and muscles.
The first and second coccygeal vertebrae have unfused vertebral arches and transverse processes.
The prominent laminae of the first coccygeal vertebrae are called the coccygeal cornua, which curve to meet the sacral cornua.
In males, the coccyx tends to project anteriorly, whereas in females it tends to project more inferiorly.
In very elderly individuals, the coccyx may fuse with the sacrum.

Sacrum

The anterosuperior edge of the first sacral vertebra bulges into the pelvic cavity and is called the promontory.
The paired anterior and posterior sacral foramina allow for the passage of nerves to the pelvic organs and the gluteal region, respectively.
The median sacral crest is formed by the fusion of the spinous processes of individual sacral vertebrae.
The ala (meaning wing) is found on each lateral surface of the sacrum.
The auricular surface on the lateral surface of the ala marks the site of articulation with the os coxae of the pelvic girdle, forming the sacroiliac joint.

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Description

Learn about the anatomy of the vertebral column, including its composition, curves, and regions.