Vertebral Landmarks Anatomy Quiz

Vertebral Landmarks

• Spinous Process: Projection from a bone, prominent in the midline of the back. C7's spinous process is the most obvious, called the vertebral prominence.
• Transverse Process: Bony projection in the transverse plane, serving as an attachment point for muscles and ligaments.
• Lamina: Portion of a vertebra between the transverse and spinous processes.
• Pedicle: Region between the vertebral arch and the vertebral body.
• Intervertebral Foramen: Opening between two adjacent pedicles (neural foramen), where spinal nerves exit.
• Superior Articular Facet: Projection off the top of a vertebra, articulating with the inferior articular facet of the vertebra below.
• Facet Joint (Zygapophyseal joint): Synovial plane joint formed by superior and inferior articular facets, allowing flexion and extension between vertebrae.
• Pars Interarticularis: Region between the transverse process and the articular facets.
• Vertebral Body: Largest and thickest portion of a vertebra.
• Vertebral Arch: Posterior portion of a vertebra encompassing the transverse process, pedicle, lamina, and spinous process.
• Intervertebral Disc: Fibrocartilage disc between vertebral bodies, composed of:
  • Annulus Fibrosis: Outer ring of the disc.
  • Nucleus Pulposus: Gelatinous inner core of the disc.
• Vertebral Foramen: Opening in the center of a vertebra.
• Vertebral Canal: Canal formed by vertebral foramina, housing the spinal cord.
• Spinal Nerves: Exit the vertebral canal through the intervertebral foramina.

Unique Features of Individual Vertebrae

• Cervical Vertebrae:

  • Bifid Spinous Process: C2-C6 have a forked spinous process.
  • Vertebral Foramina: Openings in the transverse processes for vertebral arteries.
  • Atlas (C1): Articulates with the occipital condyles of the skull via superior articular facets.
  • Axis (C2): Odontoid Process (Dens): Bony projection that articulates with C1, enabling side-to-side head rotation (pivoting).
  • Uncinate Processes: Hook-like projections from vertebral bodies, preventing lateral translation of cervical vertebrae.

• Thoracic Vertebrae: Costal Facets: Facets for articulation with ribs.

• Lumbar Vertebrae:

  • Mammillary Processes: Bony prominences on transverse processes for muscle attachment.
  • Accessory Processes: Bony protrusions on the posterior aspect of the transverse process.
  • Thickest and largest vertebral bodies.

Movements of the Vertebral Column

• Flexion and Extension: Bending forward and backward, respectively.