69 Questions
What is the function of intervertebral discs in a typical vertebra?
Connect adjacent vertebral bodies
Which of the following is NOT a part of the vertebral arch of a typical vertebra?
Intervertebral discs
Where are the spinal nerves and blood vessels typically located in relation to the vertebrae?
Within the intervertebral foramen
What is the main function of epaxial muscles in the axial skeleton?
Extend the spine
In a typical vertebra, what is the main function of articular processes?
Facilitate articulation with ribs
What is the main difference between hypaxial and epaxial muscles?
Function of flexing vs. extending the spine
What is the primary function of the nucleus pulposus?
To act as a shock absorber and spread the load evenly between the bones
Which ligament is a cranial extension of the supraspinous ligament?
Nuchal ligament
Where is the dorsal longitudinal ligament located?
On the dorsal surface of the vertebral bodies, ventral to the spinal cord
Which ligament is described as broad bands between the spinous processes and between the transverse processes?
Intertransverse ligament
Where is the ventral longitudinal ligament located?
On the ventral surface of the vertebral bodies
What is the function of the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae?
To articulate with the tubercles of the ribs
Which of the following statements about the sacrum is correct?
The cranial ventral lip of its body is called the sacral promontory
What is the purpose of the hemal arch in the caudal vertebrae?
To protect the tail vessels
Which of the following statements about the intervertebral disc is incorrect?
It is present between C1 and C2 vertebrae
What is the function of the spinous processes of the lumbar vertebrae?
To provide attachment points for muscles
Which of the following statements about the anulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc is correct?
It is composed of collagenous fibers
Which vertebra has a prominent spinous process and articulates with the atlas via the dens?
C2 (Axis)
Which joint allows only extension and flexion (nodding "yes") movement?
Atlanto-occipital joint
Which ligament holds the dens against the atlas?
Transverse ligament of the atlas
Which vertebra has a costal fovea for articulation with the first rib?
C7
How many sternebrae (segments of the sternum) are present in the dog?
8
For which ribs does the head articulate with the vertebral body cranial to that rib?
Ribs 1-10
What is the function of the sacral promontory?
It is the cranial ventral lip of the sacrum's body
Which of the following statements about the anulus fibrosus is correct?
It consists of circumferential collagenous fibers
What is the primary function of the hemal arch in the caudal vertebrae?
To protect the tail vessels in the caudal region
Which of the following statements about the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae is correct?
They are large and prominent
What is the function of the ventral sacral foramina?
To allow for the passage of spinal nerves
Which of the following statements about the caudal vertebrae is correct?
The first few resemble typical vertebrae
What is the primary function of the atlantoaxial joint?
To allow rotary movements along the long axis
Which of the following statements about the atlas (C1) vertebra is correct?
It has transverse processes referred to as wings
Which of the following statements about the thoracic vertebrae is incorrect?
They have transverse foramina for the vertebral artery and vein
For which ribs does the head articulate with the vertebral body of the same number?
Ribs 1-13
Which of the following vertebrae has a costal fovea for articulation with the first rib?
C7
How many pairs of ribs are present in the dog?
13 pairs
What is the primary function of the nucleus pulposus?
To act as a shock absorber and spread the load evenly between bones
Which ligament courses dorsally along the spinous processes of the thoracic and cervical vertebrae?
Supraspinous ligament
In which animal species is the nuchal ligament not present?
Both b and c
What is the primary function of the ventral longitudinal ligament?
To provide structural support and resist compressive forces
Which ligaments are described as broad bands between the spinous processes and between the transverse processes?
Interspinous and intertransverse ligaments
What is the vertebral formula for the dog?
C7 T13 L7 S3 Ca 20-23
What are the distinguishing features of the atlas (C1) vertebra?
It lacks a vertebral body and spinous process, but has large wing-like transverse processes.
What is the purpose of the transverse processes in the thoracic vertebrae?
To allow articulation with the ribs.
Which of the following statements about the intervertebral foramen is correct?
It allows the passage of spinal nerves and blood vessels laterally between adjacent vertebrae.
What is the primary function of the intervertebral discs?
To allow articulation between adjacent vertebrae and facilitate spinal flexibility.
What is the main difference between epaxial and hypaxial muscles in the axial skeleton?
Epaxial muscles are located dorsally and extend the vertebral column, while hypaxial muscles are located ventrally and flex the vertebral column.
What is the vertebral formula for the dog?
C7 T12 L7 S3 Ca20-23
What is the main function of the transverse processes in the thoracic vertebrae?
To allow articulation with the ribs
What is the primary function of the atlantoaxial joint?
To allow for rotation of the head
Which of the following is NOT a part of the vertebral arch of a typical vertebra?
Vertebral body
What is the main difference between epaxial and hypaxial muscles in the axial skeleton?
Epaxial muscles are located dorsal to the vertebral column, while hypaxial muscles are located ventral to it.
What is the primary function of the intervertebral discs?
To provide cushioning and shock absorption between adjacent vertebrae
What type of movement is allowed at the atlanto-occipital joint?
Extension and flexion
Which vertebra has transverse foramina in the transverse processes for the vertebral artery, vein, and nerve?
C1 (Atlas)
What is the function of the costal fovea present in C7 vertebra?
Articulation with ribs
At which joint can rotary movement along the long axis occur?
Atlantoaxial joint
What is the distinguishing feature of thoracic vertebrae when comparing spinous and transverse processes?
Short spinous processes due to articulation with ribs
How many pairs of ribs are typically present in a dog's thoracic region?
13 pairs
What is the primary function of the nucleus pulposus?
To act as a shock absorber and spread the load evenly between bones
Which ligament is a cranial extension of the supraspinous ligament?
Nuchal ligament
In which animal species is the nuchal ligament not present?
Cat
Where is the ventral longitudinal ligament located?
On the ventral surface of the vertebral bodies
Which ligaments are described as broad bands between the spinous processes and between the transverse processes?
Interspinous and intertransverse ligaments
What is the primary function of the tubercles of the ribs?
To articulate with the transverse processes of the corresponding thoracic vertebrae
Which of the following statements about the sacrum is correct?
The cranial ventral lip of its body is called the sacral promontory
What is the primary function of the intervertebral discs?
To allow for shock absorption and flexibility between vertebrae
Which of the following statements about the anulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc is correct?
It is composed of circumferential collagenous fibers
What is the function of the ventral sacral foramina?
To allow passage of spinal nerves and blood vessels
Which of the following statements about the caudal vertebrae is correct?
The first few caudal vertebrae resemble typical vertebrae
Study Notes
Axial Skeleton
- Vertebral formula for the dog: C7 T13 L7 S3 Ca 20-23
- Features of a typical vertebra:
- Vertebral body
- Intervertebral discs are located between adjacent bodies
- Vertebral arch consists of pedicles (walls) and laminae (roof)
- Vertebral foramen surrounded by arch and dorsal surface of body
- Processes: spinous process, transverse processes, articular processes
Cervical Vertebrae (C1-C7)
- C1 (Atlas):
- Large transverse processes (wings)
- No spinous process
- C2 (Axis):
- Prominent spinous process
- Dens articulates with atlas
- C3-C6:
- More typical vertebrae
- Short spinous processes
- Transverse foramen present in transverse processes of C1-C6
- C7:
- No transverse foramen
- Has a costal fovea for articulation with the 1st rib
Thoracic Vertebrae (T1-T13)
- Long spinous processes
- Short transverse processes due to articulation with ribs
- Costal foveae on bodies and transverse processes for articulation with ribs
Lumbar Vertebrae (L1-L7)
- Large bodies
- Large transverse processes
- Prominent spinous processes
Sacrum (S1-S3)
- Fused S1-S3 vertebrae
- Articulates with ilium
- Cranial ventral lip of the body is called the sacral promontory
- Fused transverse processes
- Sacral foramen for nerves instead of intervertebral foramina
Caudal/Coccygeal Vertebrae (Ca1-Ca20-23)
- First few caudal vertebrae look like typical vertebrae
- Then become more rod-shaped
- Hemal arch located on Ca4-Ca6 - Protects tail vessels
Intervertebral Disc
- Located between vertebral bodies (except at C1-C2 and in the sacrum)
- Fibrocartilaginous structure
- Two parts:
- Anulus fibrosus (outer circumferential collagenous fibers)
- Nucleus pulposus (inner gelatinous core)
Ligaments Associated with the Atlas and Axis
- Transverse ligament of the atlas - holds dens against the atlas
- Supraspinous ligament - courses dorsally along the spinous processes of T1-Ca3 vertebrae
- Nuchal ligament - cranial extension of the supraspinous ligament
- Interspinous and intertransverse ligaments
Joints and Ligaments Associated with the Vertebrae
- Atlanto-occipital joint (between occipital condyles of skull and atlas (C1)) - allows extension and flexion only
- Atlantoaxial joint (between atlas (C1) and axis (C2)) - rotary movement along the long axis
Learn about the vertebral formula, features of a typical vertebra, differences between vertebral foramen, vertebral canal, and intervertebral foramen, distinguishing features of vertebrae in different body regions, joints and ligaments associated with vertebrae, and articulation of ribs with vertebrae.
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