Podcast
Questions and Answers
How many vertebrae are typically found in the adult vertebral column?
How many vertebrae are typically found in the adult vertebral column?
What forms the sacrum in adults?
What forms the sacrum in adults?
What does the lumbosacral angle represent?
What does the lumbosacral angle represent?
Why do vertebrae become larger toward the sacrum?
Why do vertebrae become larger toward the sacrum?
Signup and view all the answers
What enhances the flexibility of the vertebral column?
What enhances the flexibility of the vertebral column?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of the vertebral body?
What is the primary function of the vertebral body?
Signup and view all the answers
Which part of the vertebra is primarily responsible for muscle attachment?
Which part of the vertebra is primarily responsible for muscle attachment?
Signup and view all the answers
What characteristic of the vertebral bodies changes as you move down the vertebral column?
What characteristic of the vertebral bodies changes as you move down the vertebral column?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of bone structure primarily composes the vertebral body?
What type of bone structure primarily composes the vertebral body?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of the auricular surface of the sacrum?
What is the primary function of the auricular surface of the sacrum?
Signup and view all the answers
What feature allows for the passage of spinal nerves between vertebrae?
What feature allows for the passage of spinal nerves between vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What characterizes the coccyx in terms of vertebrae?
What characterizes the coccyx in terms of vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements about Co1 is true?
Which of the following statements about Co1 is true?
Signup and view all the answers
Which component of the vertebra is involved in forming synovial joints with adjacent vertebrae?
Which component of the vertebra is involved in forming synovial joints with adjacent vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What structural feature is found on the posterior surface of the vertebral body?
What structural feature is found on the posterior surface of the vertebral body?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the coccyx behave when a person is sitting?
How does the coccyx behave when a person is sitting?
Signup and view all the answers
Which muscles are associated with the coccyx?
Which muscles are associated with the coccyx?
Signup and view all the answers
In which part of the vertebra are the intervertebral discs found?
In which part of the vertebra are the intervertebral discs found?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the anatomical significance of the coccygeal cornua?
What is the anatomical significance of the coccygeal cornua?
Signup and view all the answers
Which vertebral region contains the most vertebrae?
Which vertebral region contains the most vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of the zygapophysial joints?
What is the function of the zygapophysial joints?
Signup and view all the answers
What describes the surface of the coccyx?
What describes the surface of the coccyx?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens to Co1 with increasing age?
What happens to Co1 with increasing age?
Signup and view all the answers
What tissue primarily occupies the spaces between the trabecular bone of the vertebral body?
What tissue primarily occupies the spaces between the trabecular bone of the vertebral body?
Signup and view all the answers
How is the vertebral arch related to the vertebral body in a typical vertebra?
How is the vertebral arch related to the vertebral body in a typical vertebra?
Signup and view all the answers
Which description is accurate regarding the developmental origin of the coccyx?
Which description is accurate regarding the developmental origin of the coccyx?
Signup and view all the answers
Which structures are primarily responsible for the stabilization of the vertebral column?
Which structures are primarily responsible for the stabilization of the vertebral column?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the structural composition of the coccyx?
What is the structural composition of the coccyx?
Signup and view all the answers
What key feature characterizes the axis (C2) that allows for rotation of the atlas (C1)?
What key feature characterizes the axis (C2) that allows for rotation of the atlas (C1)?
Signup and view all the answers
Which structure does not exist in the atlas (C1) vertebra?
Which structure does not exist in the atlas (C1) vertebra?
Signup and view all the answers
How are the superior articular facets of the atlas (C1) oriented?
How are the superior articular facets of the atlas (C1) oriented?
Signup and view all the answers
What specific feature is found on the thoracic vertebrae to allow articulation with the ribs?
What specific feature is found on the thoracic vertebrae to allow articulation with the ribs?
Signup and view all the answers
Which cervical vertebra is known as the 'vertebra prominens' due to its prominent spinous process?
Which cervical vertebra is known as the 'vertebra prominens' due to its prominent spinous process?
Signup and view all the answers
In which plane do the articular facets of the thoracic vertebrae primarily lie?
In which plane do the articular facets of the thoracic vertebrae primarily lie?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the shape of the vertebral body in thoracic vertebrae?
What is the shape of the vertebral body in thoracic vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the intervertebral foramen function in relation to spinal nerves?
How does the intervertebral foramen function in relation to spinal nerves?
Signup and view all the answers
Which feature differentiates lumbar vertebrae from thoracic vertebrae?
Which feature differentiates lumbar vertebrae from thoracic vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
Which unique feature on the posterior side of the atlas is responsible for ligamentous attachment?
Which unique feature on the posterior side of the atlas is responsible for ligamentous attachment?
Signup and view all the answers
What orientation do the inferior articular facets of thoracic vertebrae exhibit?
What orientation do the inferior articular facets of thoracic vertebrae exhibit?
Signup and view all the answers
Which vertebra is subjected to transitional stress due to its unique characteristics as the T12 vertebra transitions to lumbar?
Which vertebra is subjected to transitional stress due to its unique characteristics as the T12 vertebra transitions to lumbar?
Signup and view all the answers
What structural configuration allows the atlas (C1) to support the cranium?
What structural configuration allows the atlas (C1) to support the cranium?
Signup and view all the answers
At what approximate age do the superior and inferior epiphyses typically unite with the centrum?
At what approximate age do the superior and inferior epiphyses typically unite with the centrum?
Signup and view all the answers
What is formed by the succession of vertebral foramina in the articulated vertebral column?
What is formed by the succession of vertebral foramina in the articulated vertebral column?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following processes projects posteriorly from the vertebral arch?
Which of the following processes projects posteriorly from the vertebral arch?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of bone primarily composes the vertebral bodies?
What type of bone primarily composes the vertebral bodies?
Signup and view all the answers
Which ligament links the intervertebral discs and covers the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies?
Which ligament links the intervertebral discs and covers the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies?
Signup and view all the answers
How many processes arise from the vertebral arch of a typical vertebra?
How many processes arise from the vertebral arch of a typical vertebra?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of joint is formed by the articular processes of adjacent vertebrae?
Which type of joint is formed by the articular processes of adjacent vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What determines the types of movement permitted between adjacent vertebrae?
What determines the types of movement permitted between adjacent vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
Which feature is unique to cervical vertebrae?
Which feature is unique to cervical vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What function do the spinous and transverse processes serve?
What function do the spinous and transverse processes serve?
Signup and view all the answers
What adaptation allows the vertebral canal to accommodate the thickness of the spinal cord?
What adaptation allows the vertebral canal to accommodate the thickness of the spinal cord?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the inferior articular processes of the L5 vertebra primarily support?
What do the inferior articular processes of the L5 vertebra primarily support?
Signup and view all the answers
What is characteristic of vertebra C7?
What is characteristic of vertebra C7?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following processes does NOT arise from the vertebral arch?
Which of the following processes does NOT arise from the vertebral arch?
Signup and view all the answers
Which structure allows for the rotation of the head, specifically indicating 'no'?
Which structure allows for the rotation of the head, specifically indicating 'no'?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of intervertebral foramina?
What is the function of intervertebral foramina?
Signup and view all the answers
What feature distinguishes vertebra C1 from other cervical vertebrae?
What feature distinguishes vertebra C1 from other cervical vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
In which cervical vertebrae are bifid spinous processes typically found?
In which cervical vertebrae are bifid spinous processes typically found?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of the transverse ligament of the atlas?
What is the primary function of the transverse ligament of the atlas?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary characteristic feature of thoracic vertebrae?
What is the primary characteristic feature of thoracic vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
Which cervical vertebra is considered atypical for not having a spinous process?
Which cervical vertebra is considered atypical for not having a spinous process?
Signup and view all the answers
What occurs at the articulation between the atlas and the occipital condyles?
What occurs at the articulation between the atlas and the occipital condyles?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a distinguishing feature of thoracic vertebrae between T1 and T4 compared to the others?
What is a distinguishing feature of thoracic vertebrae between T1 and T4 compared to the others?
Signup and view all the answers
Which cervical vertebra is known to be the strongest?
Which cervical vertebra is known to be the strongest?
Signup and view all the answers
How are the superior articular facets of the axis oriented?
How are the superior articular facets of the axis oriented?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary limitation imposed by thoracic vertebrae's structure?
What is the primary limitation imposed by thoracic vertebrae's structure?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the shape and orientation of the articular facets in thoracic vertebrae?
What is the shape and orientation of the articular facets in thoracic vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic shape of the lumbar vertebral body when viewed from above?
What is the characteristic shape of the lumbar vertebral body when viewed from above?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the spinous process of lumbar vertebrae compare to those of other vertebrae?
How does the spinous process of lumbar vertebrae compare to those of other vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of the intertransversarii muscles attached to the lumbar vertebrae?
What is the primary function of the intertransversarii muscles attached to the lumbar vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What distinguishes the L5 vertebra from the other lumbar vertebrae?
What distinguishes the L5 vertebra from the other lumbar vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement is true regarding the orientation of the lumbar vertebral articular processes?
Which statement is true regarding the orientation of the lumbar vertebral articular processes?
Signup and view all the answers
What anatomical feature is formed by the fusion of the sacral vertebrae?
What anatomical feature is formed by the fusion of the sacral vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the sacral foramina?
What is the role of the sacral foramina?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the shape of the sacrum and how does it relate to its function?
What is the shape of the sacrum and how does it relate to its function?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about the lumbar vertebrae is correct?
Which statement about the lumbar vertebrae is correct?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the anterior height of the L5 vertebra influence the lumbar region?
How does the anterior height of the L5 vertebra influence the lumbar region?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a characteristic feature of the dorsal surface of the sacrum?
What is a characteristic feature of the dorsal surface of the sacrum?
Signup and view all the answers
What anatomical structures project inferiorly from the sacral hiatus?
What anatomical structures project inferiorly from the sacral hiatus?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the superior part of the lateral surface of the sacrum called due to its shape?
What is the superior part of the lateral surface of the sacrum called due to its shape?
Signup and view all the answers
What indicates where fusion of the sacral vertebrae occurred in adults?
What indicates where fusion of the sacral vertebrae occurred in adults?
Signup and view all the answers
Which cervical vertebra does not have a spinous process?
Which cervical vertebra does not have a spinous process?
Signup and view all the answers
What feature distinguishes the spinous process of C6 from those of C3 to C5?
What feature distinguishes the spinous process of C6 from those of C3 to C5?
Signup and view all the answers
Where can the T1 spinous process be more prominent than usual?
Where can the T1 spinous process be more prominent than usual?
Signup and view all the answers
What anatomical feature correlates to the overlap of thoracic spinous processes?
What anatomical feature correlates to the overlap of thoracic spinous processes?
Signup and view all the answers
What can a sudden shift in the alignment of spinous processes indicate?
What can a sudden shift in the alignment of spinous processes indicate?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the position of the neck and back affect the palpation of spinous processes?
How does the position of the neck and back affect the palpation of spinous processes?
Signup and view all the answers
Which vertebrae are characterized by short bifid spinous processes that may be difficult to palpate?
Which vertebrae are characterized by short bifid spinous processes that may be difficult to palpate?
Signup and view all the answers
What structure can be palpated in the mid- and paravertebral lines?
What structure can be palpated in the mid- and paravertebral lines?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary role of the supraspinous ligament?
What is the primary role of the supraspinous ligament?
Signup and view all the answers
Which lumbar vertebrae are characterized by massive bodies due to increased weight support?
Which lumbar vertebrae are characterized by massive bodies due to increased weight support?
Signup and view all the answers
Where is the carotid tubercle located?
Where is the carotid tubercle located?
Signup and view all the answers
In which anatomical position are thoracic spinous processes typically less visible?
In which anatomical position are thoracic spinous processes typically less visible?
Signup and view all the answers
Which vertebra is referred to as the 'vertebra prominens'?
Which vertebra is referred to as the 'vertebra prominens'?
Signup and view all the answers
What can make the thoracic spinous processes more palpable in patients?
What can make the thoracic spinous processes more palpable in patients?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary orientation of the articular facets in cervical vertebrae?
What is the primary orientation of the articular facets in cervical vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
Which cervical vertebrae have foramina that are typically smaller than those in other cervical vertebrae?
Which cervical vertebrae have foramina that are typically smaller than those in other cervical vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What unique feature is prominent in the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae?
What unique feature is prominent in the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following characteristics applies to lumbar vertebrae compared to cervical vertebrae?
Which of the following characteristics applies to lumbar vertebrae compared to cervical vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the anterior tubercles on cervical vertebrae?
What is the role of the anterior tubercles on cervical vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the size of the vertebral bodies change as you move down the vertebral column?
How does the size of the vertebral bodies change as you move down the vertebral column?
Signup and view all the answers
What distinguishes the cervical region from other vertebral regions in terms of movement?
What distinguishes the cervical region from other vertebral regions in terms of movement?
Signup and view all the answers
In what arrangement do vertebrae C3-C7 articulate with each other?
In what arrangement do vertebrae C3-C7 articulate with each other?
Signup and view all the answers
Which cervical vertebra is specifically referred to as having carotid tubercles?
Which cervical vertebra is specifically referred to as having carotid tubercles?
Signup and view all the answers
What feature distinguishes thoracic vertebrae from cervical and lumbar vertebrae?
What feature distinguishes thoracic vertebrae from cervical and lumbar vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What shape do the superior and inferior surfaces of cervical vertebral bodies generally exhibit?
What shape do the superior and inferior surfaces of cervical vertebral bodies generally exhibit?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens to the diameter of the vertebral canal as the vertebral column descends?
What happens to the diameter of the vertebral canal as the vertebral column descends?
Signup and view all the answers
What mechanism allows for the flexibility of the cervical spine?
What mechanism allows for the flexibility of the cervical spine?
Signup and view all the answers
Which spinal feature can assist in controlling bleeding from the common carotid arteries?
Which spinal feature can assist in controlling bleeding from the common carotid arteries?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Vertebral Column Regions
- Adult vertebral column typically has 33 vertebrae, organized in 5 regions: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 4 coccygeal.
- Significant movement occurs only between the first 25 superior vertebrae.
- Sacral vertebrae (5) fuse into sacrum after age 30.
- Coccygeal vertebrae (4) fuse into coccyx after age 30.
- Lumbosacral angle: Point where lumbar region meets the sacrum.
- Vertebrae size increases descending the column, reaching maximum size superior to the sacrum, then decrease to coccyx apex. This correlates with increasing weight-bearing.
Vertebrae Structure and Function
- Vertebrae are small bones separated by resilient intervertebral (IV) discs making the column flexible.
- Basic structure: vertebral body, vertebral arch, and 7 processes.
- Vertebral body: anterior, cylindrical part; supports weight; size increases downward. Composed of spongy (trabecular) bone, encased by thin compact bone.
- Trabecular bone spaces filled with red bone marrow.
- Vertebral arch: posterior to the vertebral body; made from pedicles (short, stout) and laminae (flat plates joining in midline).
- Vertebral foramen: formed by vertebral arch and body; vertebral canal: series of vertebral foramina, houses spinal cord, spinal nerve roots, and meninges plus vessels.
- Vertebral notches: indentations superior/inferior to pedicles; form intervertebral foramina (passageways for spinal nerves).
- Seven processes arise from vertebral arch: (1) spinous, (2) transverse, (4) articular (paired superior & inferior), that provide attachment for muscles and create joint surfaces.
Regional Characteristics
- Cervical Vertebrae:
- Smallest movable vertebrae, between cranium and thoracic regions.
- Thinner IV discs compared to size of bodies.
- Greatest range of movement due to relative thickness of IV discs, nearly horizontal articular facets, and smaller surrounding body mass. Facets permit flexion, extension and lateral flexion but restricted rotation.
- Unique characteristic: Foramen transversarium in transverse process (transmit vertebral arteries/veins except C7).
- Anterior/posterior tubercles on transverse processes. C6's anterior tubercle is called the carotid tubercle.
- C3-C7 are typical cervical vertebrae. C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) are atypical. Atlas lacks body & spinous process; Atlas bears weight of the skull, C1 lateral masses articulate to occipital condyles. Axis has prominent dens (odontoid process) which acts as a pivot.
- C7 (vertebra prominens): longest spinous process, often visible/palpable.
- Thoracic Vertebrae:
- Located in upper back, with rib attachments via costal facets for articulation.
- Middle thoracic vertebrae (T5-T8) have vertical orientation of articular facets, allowing rotation & lateral flexion.
- T1-T4: share some cervical features (eg. T1 has a long spinous process, complete costal facet for 1st rib, demifacet for 2nd rib).
- T12: transitional vertebra; superior half thoracic (costal facets), inferior half lumbar (no costal facets).
- Lumbar Vertebrae:
- Largest movable vertebrae in lower back (between thorax & sacrum).
- Massive bodies due to increased weight-bearing.
- Articular facets oriented sagittally at superior levels, then become coronally oriented (L5-S1), permitting flexion, extension, & lateral flexion but not rotation.
- Transverse processes project posterosuperiorly, with accessory processes & mammillary processes for muscle attachment.
- L5 is the largest; body is larger anteriorly supporting a lot of the weight.
- Sacrum:
- Wedged-shaped bone formed by fused sacral vertebrae.
- Forms part of the pelvic cavity. -The sacral canal continues the vertebral canal. -Contains cauda equina (roots of spinal nerves) inferior to L1. -Sacral foramina for exiting spinal nerves. -Base formed by S1; articulates with L5 at the lumbosacral angle (130–160 degrees). -Auricular surfaces articulate (via hyaline cartilage) with ilium to form sacroiliac joint).
- Coccyx:
- Small, triangular bone formed by the fused coccygeal vertebrae. Co1 may remain separate
- Remnant of embryonic tail.
- Rudimentary articular processes, may receive weight while sitting.
- Attachment site for gluteus maximus, coccygeus muscles, and anococcygeal ligament.
Surface Anatomy
- Spinous processes visible/palpable when back is flexed with scapulae protracted. C7 (vertebra prominens) commonly most visible. T1 sometimes more prominent.
- Spinous processes overlap the vertebra below, so their tips don't accurately reflect the vertebrae levels.
- Transverse processes of C1 can be felt laterally between mastoid processes and jaw angles. Carotid tubercle of C6 may be palpable.
- Transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae palpable on each side of spinous processes in thorax, ribs may be felt by palpation.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz covers the anatomy of the adult vertebral column, including its five regions and the structure of vertebrae. Learn the differences between cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal vertebrae and their functions. Test your knowledge on vertebral sizes, movements, and the significance of intervertebral discs.
