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Questions and Answers
What are the 3 primary sources of blood glucose?
What is the main function of glycogen in the body?
Where is glycogen primarily stored in the body?
What is the function of the intervertebral discs?
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Which region of the vertebral column has the most mobile vertebrae?
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What is the function of the zygapophyseal (facet) joints?
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What is the function of the ligamentum flavum?
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Where does the spinal cord terminate in the vertebral column?
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What is the function of the sacroiliac joints?
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What is the composition of the intervertebral discs?
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What is the function of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments?
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What is the basic structure of each vertebra?
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Which region of the vertebral column has the most mobile vertebrae?
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What is the function of intervertebral discs?
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What is the largest region of the vertebral column?
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What is the role of the zygapophyseal (facet) joints?
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What is the function of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments?
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What is the innervation of the vertebral column?
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What is the function of the coccyx?
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What is the basic structure of a vertebra?
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Which region of the vertebral column has the largest vertebral bodies?
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What is the role of intervertebral discs?
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Which region of the vertebral column contains the sacrum?
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What is the function of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments?
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Which region of the vertebral column has the most mobile vertebrae?
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What is the function of zygapophyseal (facet) joints?
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What is the function of the vertebral column?
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Study Notes
Anatomy and Functions of the Vertebral Column
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The vertebral column is a curved structure composed of bony vertebrae that are interconnected by cartilaginous intervertebral discs. It is part of the axial skeleton and extends from the base of the skull to the tip of the coccyx.
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The vertebral column consists of 33 vertebrae, divided into five regions: cervical (7), thoracic (12), lumbar (5), sacrum (5 fused), and coccyx (3-4 fused).
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Each vertebra has a basic structure consisting of a vertebral body, vertebral arch, and vertebral processes, serving functions of weight bearing, joint formation, and muscle attachment.
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The cervical vertebrae are the most mobile in the entire vertebral column and have distinctive features like transverse foramina, two tubercles, and bifid spinous processes.
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The thoracic vertebrae form the upper back and play a role in forming the thoracic cage. They contain costal facets, heart-shaped vertebral bodies, and long and strong spinous and transverse processes.
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The lumbar vertebrae form the lower back and have the largest vertebral bodies in the entire vertebral column, facilitating weight bearing. The spinal cord terminates at the level of the L1/L2 vertebra.
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The sacrum consists of five sacral vertebrae fused together, located between the lumbar spine and the coccyx, and forms part of the pelvis.
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The coccyx articulates with the sacrum and consists of three to four fused coccygeal vertebrae. It is a point of attachment for the gluteus maximus and coccygeal muscles.
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Adjacent vertebral bodies are joined by intervertebral symphyses (discs) composed of a fibrous outer ring (annulus fibrosus) that surrounds a gelatinous nucleus (nucleus pulposus), serving as shock absorbers and permitting flexibility between vertebrae.
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The vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs are reinforced by two fibrous, longitudinal ligaments: the anterior longitudinal ligament and the posterior longitudinal ligament.
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Adjacent vertebral arches are connected by synovial joints called zygapophyseal (facet) joints, strengthened by several accessory ligaments like Ligamenta flava, interspinous ligaments, and the nuchal ligament.
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There are two craniovertebral (synovial) joints formed between the skull and the atypical vertebrae of the cervical spine: atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial. The sacroiliac joints occur between the corresponding auricular surfaces and tuberosities of the sacrum and iliac bones.
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The stability of the sacroiliac joints is maintained by several ligaments, including the sacro-iliac,Anatomy of the Vertebral Column: Blood Supply, Nerves, and Venous Drainage
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The vertebral column is composed of 33 individual vertebrae, divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal.
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The vertebral column is supported by ligaments, including the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, the ligamentum flavum, and the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments.
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The blood supply of the vertebral column is provided by segmental arteries, which originate from the aorta and follow the course of the vertebrae, providing equatorial branches to the vertebral body and posterior arteries to the vertebral arch.
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The segmental arteries include the posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar, iliolumbar, and sacral arteries, with the cervical region and the iliolumbar artery having different origins.
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Venous blood from the vertebral column is drained via spinal veins into vertebral venous plexuses (internal, external), with basivertebral veins draining the vertebral bodies into the internal vertebral venous plexus.
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The two vertebral venous plexuses empty into the intervertebral veins, which in turn empty into the vertebral and segmental veins of the neck and trunk.
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The vertebral column is innervated by the meningeal branches of the spinal nerves, which divide into ascending and descending branches that supply the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, and ligaments.
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The anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments run along the anterior and posterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies, respectively, preventing hyperextension and hyperflexion of the vertebral column.
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The ligamentum flavum connects adjacent laminae of the vertebrae and helps maintain the curvature of the vertebral column.
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The interspinous and supraspinous ligaments connect adjacent spinous processes and limit flexion of the vertebral column.
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The vertebral column is essential for supporting the weight of the head and trunk, protecting the spinal cord, and allowing for movement and flexibility.
-
Kenhub offers interactive and responsive materials for learning about the anatomy of the vertebral column, including bones, ligaments, nerves, and blood supply.
Anatomy and Functions of the Vertebral Column
-
The vertebral column is a curved structure composed of bony vertebrae that are interconnected by cartilaginous intervertebral discs. It is part of the axial skeleton and extends from the base of the skull to the tip of the coccyx.
-
The vertebral column consists of 33 vertebrae, divided into five regions: cervical (7), thoracic (12), lumbar (5), sacrum (5 fused), and coccyx (3-4 fused).
-
Each vertebra has a basic structure consisting of a vertebral body, vertebral arch, and vertebral processes, serving functions of weight bearing, joint formation, and muscle attachment.
-
The cervical vertebrae are the most mobile in the entire vertebral column and have distinctive features like transverse foramina, two tubercles, and bifid spinous processes.
-
The thoracic vertebrae form the upper back and play a role in forming the thoracic cage. They contain costal facets, heart-shaped vertebral bodies, and long and strong spinous and transverse processes.
-
The lumbar vertebrae form the lower back and have the largest vertebral bodies in the entire vertebral column, facilitating weight bearing. The spinal cord terminates at the level of the L1/L2 vertebra.
-
The sacrum consists of five sacral vertebrae fused together, located between the lumbar spine and the coccyx, and forms part of the pelvis.
-
The coccyx articulates with the sacrum and consists of three to four fused coccygeal vertebrae. It is a point of attachment for the gluteus maximus and coccygeal muscles.
-
Adjacent vertebral bodies are joined by intervertebral symphyses (discs) composed of a fibrous outer ring (annulus fibrosus) that surrounds a gelatinous nucleus (nucleus pulposus), serving as shock absorbers and permitting flexibility between vertebrae.
-
The vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs are reinforced by two fibrous, longitudinal ligaments: the anterior longitudinal ligament and the posterior longitudinal ligament.
-
Adjacent vertebral arches are connected by synovial joints called zygapophyseal (facet) joints, strengthened by several accessory ligaments like Ligamenta flava, interspinous ligaments, and the nuchal ligament.
-
There are two craniovertebral (synovial) joints formed between the skull and the atypical vertebrae of the cervical spine: atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial. The sacroiliac joints occur between the corresponding auricular surfaces and tuberosities of the sacrum and iliac bones.
-
The stability of the sacroiliac joints is maintained by several ligaments, including the sacro-iliac,Anatomy of the Vertebral Column: Blood Supply, Nerves, and Venous Drainage
-
The vertebral column is composed of 33 individual vertebrae, divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal.
-
The vertebral column is supported by ligaments, including the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, the ligamentum flavum, and the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments.
-
The blood supply of the vertebral column is provided by segmental arteries, which originate from the aorta and follow the course of the vertebrae, providing equatorial branches to the vertebral body and posterior arteries to the vertebral arch.
-
The segmental arteries include the posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar, iliolumbar, and sacral arteries, with the cervical region and the iliolumbar artery having different origins.
-
Venous blood from the vertebral column is drained via spinal veins into vertebral venous plexuses (internal, external), with basivertebral veins draining the vertebral bodies into the internal vertebral venous plexus.
-
The two vertebral venous plexuses empty into the intervertebral veins, which in turn empty into the vertebral and segmental veins of the neck and trunk.
-
The vertebral column is innervated by the meningeal branches of the spinal nerves, which divide into ascending and descending branches that supply the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, and ligaments.
-
The anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments run along the anterior and posterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies, respectively, preventing hyperextension and hyperflexion of the vertebral column.
-
The ligamentum flavum connects adjacent laminae of the vertebrae and helps maintain the curvature of the vertebral column.
-
The interspinous and supraspinous ligaments connect adjacent spinous processes and limit flexion of the vertebral column.
-
The vertebral column is essential for supporting the weight of the head and trunk, protecting the spinal cord, and allowing for movement and flexibility.
-
Kenhub offers interactive and responsive materials for learning about the anatomy of the vertebral column, including bones, ligaments, nerves, and blood supply.
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Description
Test your knowledge of blood glucose sources with our quiz! Learn about the three primary sources - diet, gluconeogenesis, and glycogen degradation - and the functions of glycogen as a fuel reserve for ATP synthesis. Get ready to master the keywords specific to this topic and improve your understanding of blood glucose.
