Vertebral Anatomy and Functions Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the dens or odontoid process in the Axis vertebra?

Connects to the cervical rib

Supports the skull

Acts as a pivot point for rotation (correct)

Is responsible for vertebral body strength

Which structure is NOT found in the Atlas vertebra?

Spinous process (correct)

Transverse processes

Vertebral body (correct)

Anterior arch

How does the shape of the lumbar vertebrae differ from that of the thoracic vertebrae?

Lumbar vertebrae have costal facets

Thoracic vertebrae are round

Lumbar vertebrae are kidney-shaped (correct)

Lumbar vertebrae are heart-shaped

What is defined as a rounded articular protuberance at the end of a bone?

Condyle Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features is unique to the thoracic vertebrae?

Costal demifacets Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of intervertebral discs (IVDs)?

Act as shock absorbers Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is common among cervical vertebrae?

Presence of uncinate processes Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to a long narrow depression in a bone?

Groove Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe the joint formed by the uncinate processes of cervical vertebrae?

Uncovertebral joint Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the intervertebral disc serves as the outer structure?

Annulus fibrosus Signup and view all the answers

What structure in the vertebrae increases in size from T4 downward to accommodate more weight?

Anterior Vertebral Body Signup and view all the answers

At what age do the sacral vertebrae typically fuse to form the sacrum?

Between 18 and 30 years Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a classification of curves in the spine?

Lateral Curves Signup and view all the answers

Which type of vertebrae typically has larger bodies as you move down the spine?

Lumbar Signup and view all the answers

Which vertebra does the odontoid process belong to?

C2 - Axis Signup and view all the answers

What shape characteristics are noted in intervertebral discs regarding their thickness?

Thickest in the lumbar region Signup and view all the answers

Which part of a vertebra forms a long tunnel when vertebrae are stacked?

Vertebral Canal Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct definition of a tuberosity in relation to bone structure?

A large rounded prominence where muscles attach Signup and view all the answers

Which type of injury is intervertebral discs particularly vulnerable to?

Rotational forces Signup and view all the answers

What structural characteristic of the annulus fibrosus contributes to its flexibility and strength?

Concentric lamellae of fibrocartilage Signup and view all the answers

During which developmental stage does the cervical curve of the spine begin to form?

As the infant begins to hold their head up Signup and view all the answers

What relationship exists between the shape of intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies?

IVDs match the shape of vertebral bodies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a depression on a bone that is deeper than a fossa?

Foramen Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason intervertebral discs are essential components of the spine?

They are strong weight-bearing structures Signup and view all the answers

What type of joint are facet joints classified as?

Plane/gliding joint Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the articular surfaces of the facet joints is correct?

They are formed by the superior articular facets of the inferior vertebrae and inferior articular facets of the superior vertebrae. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily supports the facet joints?

Joint capsule and accessory ligaments of the spine Signup and view all the answers

In which region of the spine are the facets oriented horizontally?

Cervical spine Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the ligamentum flavum?

To connect adjacent laminae and store elastin Signup and view all the answers

Which ligament runs along the anterior aspect of all vertebral bodies?

Anterior longitudinal ligament Signup and view all the answers

What feature characterizes the posterior longitudinal ligament?

It has a scalloped appearance as it narrows between pedicles. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the intertransverse ligaments?

They consist of short fibers between transverse processes throughout the spine. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the transverse ligament?

To hold the dens of C2 in place Signup and view all the answers

Which ligament is known for limiting excessive movement in the sternoclavicular joint?

Costoclavicular ligament Signup and view all the answers

What boundaries define the thoracic inlet?

Anterior=manubrium; Posterior=T1 vertebral body Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ligaments is involved in forming the cruciate ligament?

Transverse ligament and vertical fibres Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the alar ligament?

To limit rotation and side-to-side movement of the head Signup and view all the answers

What structure passes through the thoracic outlet?

Vagus nerve Signup and view all the answers

What describes the size of the spinal cord?

About 18 inches long and 0.5 inches wide Signup and view all the answers

Which joint is primarily responsible for the full range of shoulder abduction?

SC joint Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the tectorial membrane?

To cover and protect key ligaments Signup and view all the answers

Which bones are part of the adult neurocranium?

Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Structural Anatomy - Week 1

Course objectives depend on self-directed learning.
Students need to be accountable for their progress.
Essential steps for success: review the course outline, buy the textbook, and read the assigned readings.
Actively participate in class, take thorough notes that are testable, and ask questions.
Allocate at least 4 hours per week to the course.

Bone Formations

Protuberance: A bump, projection, or eminence on a bone.
Fossa: A shallow depression in a bone.
Foramen: An opening or hole in a bone.
Border: An edge of a bone.
Process: A point at the end of a bone.
Condyle: A rounded articular protrusion at the end of a bone.
Epicondyle: A protrusion above a condyle on a long bone.
Angle: A corner, point or apex of a bone.
Line: A ridge or raised straight surface on a bone.
Symphyis: A fibrocartilaginous fusion between two bones.
Ramus: An arm or branch of a bone.
Plate: A flat surface of a bone.
Tuberocity: A large rounded prominence of a bone where muscles attach.
Tubercle: A small rounded prominence of a bone where muscles attach.
Trochanter: A large protrusion where muscles attach.
Groove: A long, narrow depression in a bone.
Crest: A ridge along the surface of a bone.

Structure and Components of the Spine

Primary or kyphotic curves form in utero.
Thoracic region is one of the primary spinal curves.
Sacral region is one of the primary spinal curves.
Cervical curve develops in infants as they hold their heads up.
Lumbar curve develops as toddlers learn to walk upright.
Spinal curves adapt to accommodate various organs.
Regions of the spine are described by characteristics of the individual vertebrae.

General Structure of Vertebrae

Anterior vertebral body is the weight-bearing portion.
Its cylindrical shape and compact bone increases in size from T4 down, as it strengthens to manage increased weight-bearing responsibilities.
Vertebral arches form a tunnel called the vertebral canal as the vertebrae are stacked.
Pedicles are part of the vertebral arch extending posteriorly from the body.

Special Vertebrae

C1 (Atlas): A ring-shaped bone that supports the skull.
It has no spinous process or vertebral body. It has anterior and posterior arches with tubercles. It has lateral masses.
C2 (Axis): The strongest cervical vertebra, has a dens (odontoid process).
This process extends superiorly from the vertebral body and acts as a pivot point for C1 and the skull’s rotation.

Structure of Individual Vertebrae

Cervical vertebrae are small, rectangular, and broad.
Thoracic vertebrae are heart-shaped, with costal demi-facets for rib articulations. The first 10 ribs articulate this way. T eleventh and twelfth ribs only have one costal demifacet.
Lumbar vertebrae are large, kidney-shaped, and have progressively wider vertebral bodies as they move downward.

Sacrum

Large triangular bone at the base of the spine.
Concave posteriorly.
Formed by the fusion of sacral vertebrae (S1-S5).
Fusion occurs between the age of 18-30.
Located between the two wings (ilium) of the pelvis.

Intervertebral Discs (IVDs)

Fibrocartilage plates joining adjacent vertebrae.
Match the shape of the vertebral bodies.
Act as shock absorbers.
Their shape slightly changes to accommodate spinal motion.
Between all adjacent vertebrae, except for C1-C2 (these are synovial joints).
They strongly bind the vertebrae together.
Thinnest in the thoracic region, thickest in the lumbar region
Thick in the lordotic areas (anteriorly), thin in the kyphotic area (posteriorly).
Discs are essential for weight-bearing.
Their strength contributes to resisting fracture in the spine but discs can be susceptible to damage from shearing and rotatory forces. This is usually seen as the 'lift and twist injury'.

Structure of Intervertebral Discs

Annulus fibrosus is an outer collar/ring of fibrocartilage lamellae organized concentrically.
Fiber direction in adjacent layers is at right angles to each other which provides flexibility/strength/support.
Superficial fibres are attached to the peripheral collar of compact bone.
Deeper fibres are attached to the margins of the central disc of hyaline cartilage.
These hyaline cartilaginous plates make up the superior and interior surfaces of the vertebral bodies.

Facet Joints

Paired joints connecting adjacent vertebral arches.
Plane/gliding synovial joints.
Articular surfaces include Superior articular facets of the inferior vertebrae and Inferior articular facets of the superior vertebrae.
No intrinsic ligaments specifically for facet joints.
Support comes from joint capsules and accessory ligaments of the spine.
Movements vary according to spinal region
C-spine facets are horizontally oriented.
Facilitate flexion and extension; rotation must occur with lateral bending.
T-spine facets are vertical.
Facilitate slight rotation; flexion and extension.
L-spine facets are vertical.
Restrict rotation; allow flexion, extension and lateral bending.

Accessory Ligaments of the Spine

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament: Runs along the anterior aspect of all vertebral bodies. Attaches to occiput to sacrum.
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Runs within the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies. Goes from C2 to the sacrum.
Ligamentum Flavum: Short repeating fibres that attach to adjacent laminae. Constructed mostly of elastin.
Yellow colour
Interspinous Ligament: Short fibres between adjacent spinous processes (throughout entire spine, but not obvious in thoracic region due to T-spine spinous processes overlapping).
Intertransverse Ligament: Short fibres between the transverse processes. Throughout the entire spine.
Supraspinous Ligament: Extensive (S1-C7), and attaches to the tips of the spinous processes.
Nuchal Ligament: Attaches to tips of cervical spinous processes.
Acts as a septum between muscles on either side.

Bone Structures of the Thorax

Sternum
Composed of Manubrium, Body, Xiphoid Process.
Articulations with ribs 1-7 (via costal cartilages)
Clavicle
Elongated, S-shaped bone.
Acromial and sternal extremities
Conoid and trapezoid tubercles
Ribs
True, False, and Floating ribs
Costal cartilages (connect ribs to sternum)
Articulation with thoracic vertebrae

Apertures of the Thorax

Thoracic Inlet: Kidney-shaped opening at the top of the thorax.
Borders: T1 vertebral body, manubrium, and first pair of ribs and costal cartilages.
Structures: Trachea, esophagus, brachiocephalic trunk, left subclavian artery, veins, pleura (of apex of the lung) travel through the inlet.
Thoracic Outlet: Large, inferior opening at the base of the thorax.
Borders: T12 vertebral body, xiphisternal joint, and the inferior costal margin.
Structures: Esophagus, vagus nerve, abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava pass through the outlet.

Contents in the Thorax

The thorax is a cavity which encompasses important respiratory, cardio-vascular, nervous, digestive and lymphatic structures.
Lungs, bronchi, trachea, esophagus, pleura, part of the liver and spleen are found within the thorax, along with the heart, aorta, vena cava and lymphatic trunks.

Spinal Cord

18 inches long, 1/2 inch wide.
Located between vertebrae L1 and L2
Symmetrical bilaterally.

Nervous System

Spinal nerves (e.g., cervical plexus, brachial plexus, lumbar plexus, sacral plexus) connect the spinal cord to different areas of the body.
The spinal cord is made up of cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral nerves.

Cranial Bones

Neurocranium: 8 bones (frontal, 2 parietal, 2 temporal, 1 occipital, 1 sphenoid, 1 ethmoid).
Viscerocranium: 15 irregular bones (2 lacrimal, 2 nasal, 2 maxilla, 2 zygomatic, 2 palatine, 2 inferior nasal concha, 1 mandible, 1 vomer, 1 ethmoid).

Spinal Meninges

Dura mater
Subdural space
Arachnoid mater
Subarachnoid space
Pia mater

For Next Week

Plan your studies
Review the spinal meninges
Begin studying the muscles of the back (see next slide for specifics).

Back Muscles

Diagrams depict specific back muscles like: longissimus capitis, splenius capitis, serratus posterior superior, splenius cervicis, iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis (Erector spinae (cut)), semispinalis capitis, semispinalis thoracis, external intercostals, and quadratus lumborum.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the anatomy and functions of the vertebrae in the human spine. This quiz covers key features and differences among cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae, as well as associated structures like intervertebral discs. Challenge yourself to understand the unique characteristics and classifications within vertebral anatomy.