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Questions and Answers
Which muscle is NOT part of the boundaries of the suboccipital triangle?
What is the total number of vertebrae in the vertebral column?
Which characteristic is unique to cervical vertebrae compared to thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?
Which muscle is involved in stabilizing the atlanto-axial joint?
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What is the primary feature of lumbar vertebrae in comparison to thoracic vertebrae?
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Which muscle groups are primarily supplied by the dorsal rami of spinal nerves?
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Which of these muscles does NOT belong to the transverso-spinal muscle group?
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Which structure passes through the suboccipital triangle?
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What structure may herniate if the annulus fibrosis is compromised?
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Which abnormal curvature is characterized by exaggerated curvature in the thoracic region?
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What can lead to spondylolisthesis from spondylolysis?
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A decrease in the size of which structure may result in an individual appearing shorter in older adults?
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What causes functional scoliosis?
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Which part of the intervertebral disc contains water and is a remnant of the notochord?
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What term refers to the abnormal curvature in the lumbar region?
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What is the likely consequence of herniation of the nucleus pulposus on the spinal cord?
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Which characteristic is unique to the cervical vertebrae compared to other regions?
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What defines the relationship between the atlas and the skull?
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Which feature is NOT associated with lumbar vertebrae?
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How does the atlanto-axial joint facilitate movement?
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What is the primary function of the intervertebral notch?
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Which of the following correctly describes the thoracic vertebrae?
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What distinguishes the vertebra prominens from other cervical vertebrae?
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In the context of the triangle of Petit, which muscle forms the floor?
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Study Notes
Curvatures of the Spine
- Primary Curvature: Present at birth—includes thoracic and sacral regions.
- Secondary Curvature: Develops after birth—includes cervical and lumbar regions.
Anatomy of Typical Vertebra
- Composed of a body, arch, lamina, pedicle, and vertebral foramen.
- Intervertebral notch becomes a foramen when two vertebrae are aligned, allowing exit for spinal nerves.
Lamina Functions
- Cervical and Thoracic: Located between the spinous and transverse processes.
- Lumbar: Found between the spinous process and the mammillary process.
Cervical Vertebrae Characteristics
- Comprise the bony axis of the neck, featuring foramen transversarium on each transverse process.
- Vertebral vein passes through all seven cervical vertebrae; vertebral artery passes through CV6 to CV1.
- Cervical vertebrae 1, 2, and 7 are atypical with distinctive structures.
Atlas (C1)
- Supports the skull; lacks a body and spinous process.
- Contains foramen transversarium and two articulating facets for the skull condyles.
- Features a facet for articulation with the dens of the axis (C2).
Atlanto-Axial and Atlanto-Occipital Joints
- Atlanto-Axial Joint: Contains lateral gliding synovial joints, median pivot joint.
- Atlanto-Occipital Joint: A condyloid synovial joint with thin, loose capsules.
Axis (C2)
- Features flat articulating surfaces and the dens/odontoid process.
Vertebra Prominens
- Transitional vertebra between cervical and thoracic regions.
- May have a bifid spine and possesses a long spinous process, serving as an important landmark.
Thoracic Vertebrae Characteristics
- There are 12 thoracic vertebrae articulating with ribs, featuring facets and demi-facets.
- They have long spinous processes and lack foramen transversarium and bifid spines.
Lumbar Vertebrae Characteristics
- Comprised of 5 vertebrae, lacking costal facets and foramen transversarium.
- Features thick pedicles and laminae, with mammillary processes increasing in size from Lv1 to Lv5.
Triangle of Petit
- Bounded by latissimus dorsi, external oblique, and iliac crest; the floor is the internal oblique muscle.
- Potential site for hernias.
Sacral Vertebrae
- Comprised of fused vertebrae, featuring 4 foramina for spinal nerves.
- Sacral promontory (Sv1) is the anterior edge of the sacrum.
Coccyx
- Small, triangular tailbone formed by the fusion of four rudimentary coccygeal vertebrae.
- Remnant of the embryonic tail-like structure, visible from the 4th to 8th week of gestation.
Intervertebral Discs
- Made of fibrocartilage, containing nucleus pulposus (center) and annulus fibrosus (periphery).
- Degeneration of annulus fibrosus can lead to herniation of nucleus pulposus, potentially affecting the spinal cord or cauda equina.
Clinical Pearls – Intervertebral Discs
- Discs decrease in size with age, making individuals appear shorter.
- Herniation can occur, leading to limited movement and flexibility.
Abnormal Curvatures of the Spine
- Kyphosis: Exaggerated thoracic curvature, often referred to as humpback.
- Lumbar Kyphosis: Reverse curvature in the lower back.
- Spondylolysis: Disruption of pars interarticularis, potentially leading to spondylolisthesis.
- Lordosis: Abnormal lumbar curvature.
- Scoliosis: Side-to-side curvature of the spine, may be functional due to discrepancies in limb length.
Deep Muscles of the Back
- Erector Spinae Muscles: Composed of three columns (lateral, intermediate, medial) supplied by dorsal rami of spinal nerves.
Deeper Muscles of the Back
- Transverso-spinal Muscles: Includes multifidus, interspinalis, intertransversarii, rotatores (longus & brevis), and semispinalis.
Suboccipital Triangle
- Formed by rectus capitis posterior major, obliquus capitis superior, and obliquus capitis inferior.
- Contains the vertebral artery and suboccipital nerve.
Composition of the Vertebral Column
- Total of 33 vertebrae: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 4 coccygeal.
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Description
Explore the intricacies of human vertebral curvatures in this quiz. Learn about primary and secondary curvatures, the typical vertebra structure, and the specific regions of the spine. Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the vertebral column.
