Vertebral Column and Vertebra Structure

Vertebral Column Overview

• The vertebral canal contains the spinal cord.
• Vertebrae are named based on their location.
• The column comprises cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral (sacrum), and coccygeal (coccyх) vertebrae.
• There are 7 cervical vertebrae (C1-C7), 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12), and 5 lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5).
• The 5 sacral vertebrae fuse to form the sacrum.
• 1-5 coccygeal vertebrae fuse to form the coccyx.
• Thoracic and sacral curvatures are concave anteriorly.
• Cervical and lumbar curvatures are concave posteriorly.

Vertebra Structure

• Includes a body and a vertebral arch
• The vertebral arch is composes of pedicles and a lamina
• The vertebral foramen forms the vertebral canal.
• Superior and inferior vertebral notches form the intervertebral foramina
• The interbertebral foramina allow for passage of the spinal nerves.

Vertebra Processes

• Spinous process
• Transverse process
• Superior articular process
• Inferior articular process

Cervical Vertebrae

• There are seven cervical vertebrae.
• Common features of cervical vertebrae include a small body, a large vertebral foramen, and transverse foramen for the vertebral artery.
• They also have Short and bifid spinous processes.

Atypical Cervical Vertebrae

• C1 (Atlas): No spinous process, articulates superiorly with the occipital condyles.
• C2 (Axis): Has an odontoid process (dens).
• C7 (Vertebra Prominens): Has a long spinous process (not bifid), small transverse foramen which do not transmit the vertebral artery.

Cervical Vertebrae Clinical Notes

• Dislocation and fracture of the cervical vertebrae may injure the spinal cord by causing paraplegia
• Dislocation and fracture of the cervical vertebrae may cause injuries of the important structures in the brainstem which can be lethal

Thoracic Vertebrae

• Has long spinous processes
• Characteristics of thoracic vertebrae are costal facets or demifacets on their bodies for articulation with the heads of the ribs.
• T2-T9 vertebrae have superior and inferior demifacets.
• T1, T10 (sometimes), T11, and T12 have single facets.
• Costal facets are present on their transverse processes for articulation with the tubercles of the ribs.
• This is except for the inferior two or three thoracic vertebrae

Thoracic Vertebrae Clinical Notes

• The bodies of T5-T8 vertebrae are in close relation with the thoracic aorta
• An aortic aneurysm may cause deformities in these vertebrae as visible on direct radiographs

Lumbar Vertebrae

• There are five lumbar vertebrae.
• They have thick bodies, with L5 being that largest.

Sacrum

• Five sacral vertebrae fuse to form the sacrum.
• Key structures include the sacral canal, the hiatus sacralis, and the promontorium.
• Sacral foramina are on the anterior/posterior that passes the dorsal spinal nerves.
• The body has promontorium formed by projecting endge of S1, median/intermediate crests, and auricular joint with ilium.
• Has an apex that articulates with coссух.

Coccyx

• It is formed of 4 to 5 coccygeal vertebrae.
• Articulates with the lower end of the sacrum.

Vertebrae Clinical Notes

• Sacralization of the L5 vertebra (L5 vertebra is partly fused with the sacrum) may produce painful symptoms and is seen in 5% of the population.
• Lumbalization of the S1 vertebra with S1 more or less separated from the sacrum and fused with the L5 vertebra
• Spina bifida occulta involves the lamina of L5 and/or S1 failing to develop and fuse.

Vertebrae Spina Bifida Occulta

• Results in a Lamina of L5, which can present with:
• Fusion failure
• A population of 24% that is present
• Typically lacks symptoms

Vertebrae Spina bifida cystica

• Causes arch failure
• Results in Herniation, which can lead to:
• Meningocele (meninges herniation)
• Meningomyelocele or spinal cord herniation

Vertebral Column Joints Overview

• Joints of the bodies
• Joints of the arches (zygoapophysial)
• Atlanto - axial
• Atlanto – occipital
• Costovertebral (see thoracic wall)
• Sacroiliac (see pelvis)

Vertebral Column Joints

• Joints of the vertebral bodies involves:
• Secondary Cartilaginous
• Symphysis type

Intervertebral Discs

• Exists between the articulating surfaces excluding (C1 and C2)
• Made to functions as shock absorbers for the bodies
• Inferior is around the anterior border
• is two forms:
• Annulus fibrosus (concentric lamella)
• Nucleus pulposus (gelatinous central mass)

Vertebral Column Ligaments Supporting

• Anterior longitudinal (anterior/lateral cover extends from pelvic & atlas)
• Posterior longitudinal (narrow that connects vertebreal bodies)
• Ligamenta flava (extends between lamina)
• Interspinous ligaments (The spinous process extends)
• Supraspinous ligament (cord ligament that extends from C7)
• Nuchal and transverse ligaments
• Nuchal ligament Extends to occipital ridge.
• Transverse Ligaments

Atlanto-Occipital Joint

• Joints of the vertebral column
• Is a Condyloid synovial connection
• It permits flexion and tilting of the head

Atlanto Axial Joints

• Joints of the vertebral column
• With a pivot type median (C2)and two lateral (gliding)
• Permits the rotation of the head

Thorax

• The skeleton is formed of 12 pairs of ribs, the sternum and 12 thoracic vertebrae.
• Encloses important structures of the heart, lungs, and great vessels.
• Differential diagnosis of the chest pain is important in discriminating the serious conditions from the many minor conditions.

Costal Cartilages

• Contribute to the elasticity of the thoracic wall.
• The first seven cartilages attach to the sternum directly.
• The 8th, 9th and 10th cartilages attach to the sternum indirectly.

Ribs

• True: The first 7 ribs have their costal cartilage attached to the sternum.
• False: Ribs 8 - 10 have cartilages attached to the superior rib.
• Floating: Ribs 11 and 12 have no costal cartilages.

Typical Ribs (3rd to 9th)

• Head: Has two articular facets that articulate with the numerically corresponding vertebra and the one superior.
• Neck: Connects head to body from the tubercle
• Tubercle: Has an articular facet for articulating with the transverse process of the corresponding vertebra. It is between the shaft and the neck.
• Body:The concave internal surface has the costal groove for the intercostal nerve and vessels. Bears the angle.

Atypical Ribs

• 1st Rib:Is short and wide, has a single facet at the head (articulates with T1 vertebra), superior surface has two grooves with subclavian vessels
• 2nd rib: Contains a thin body and muscular tubercle for serratus
• 10th-12th have a head with small facetes. They are short and have no necks.

Thoracic Aperature

• Communicates with the neck, it is known as the passageway from the thoracic or neck. Bounded by thoracic vertebrae.
• Trachea, esophagus, and vessels and nerves that supply and drain the head, neck and the upper limbs and pass through the superior thoracic aperture
• Inferior is closed from the thoracic cavity with diaphragm,
• Serves as the diaphragm structures
• Is bounded by the -12th thoracic vertebra - 11th and 12th pairs of ribs Costal, joints that enable the diaphragm to be pierced

Sternum

• It has 3 parts: manibrium, body and xiphoid process
• Manibrium bears the Jugular notch on its superior margin
• Manibrium has its axis and slightly plane the sternal angle (palpable)
• Xiphoid serves as the main landmark.
• Sternum is divided in the median plane for access to the thoracic cavity.
  • Has wire to join
• Biopsies can be done

Thoracic wall

• Bones of limited joints
• Permits whole outcome of these functions for the cavity volume when active

Costovertebral Joints

• Joints between the heads of the ribs and vertebrae
• They ribs with vertebra joints at ribs
• Strengthened due to the Articular cartilage
• Girdling and great results
• Costotransverse joints

Sternocostal joints

• Is between the sternum and costal cartilages of the 1st to 7th ribs
• Is synovial
• Thin with a strong cartilage

Overview of the vertebral column, including cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal vertebrae. Discusses the structure of vertebrae, vertebral arches, and processes.