Download vertebral column

VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Comprised of vertebrae
Intervertebral discs – fibrocartilage
Vertebral canal – foramen through vertebrae, protect
Spinal cord
7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar,
5 sacral(fused = sacrum)
3-5 fused = coccyx(cuckoo, from it’s resemblance to
cuckoo’s beak)
Vertebral regions correspond to the 4 curves
Cervical curve –bends anteriorly, concave
Thoracic curve – bends posteriorly, convex
Lumbar curve – bends anteriorly, concave
Sacral curve – bends posteriorly, convex
Curves give added strength, maintain balance, absorb
shock
Newborns, 1 single convex curve
Cervical curve develops when baby learns
To hold its head @ 1 month
Lumbar curve develops when baby can
stand/walk @ 9 mos to 1yr.
ANATOMY OF TYPICAL VERTEBRA
Body – wgt bearing part
Attaches to intervertebral discs
Vertebral arch – extends from body, posteriorly
Forms the vertebral foramen
Transverse process – lateral projections
- articulate with ribs
- sites of muscle attachement
Superior and inferior articulating processes
- like the transverse process only
above and below the transverse
- superior articulates with inferior
process of superior vertebra
- inferior process articulates with
superior process of inferior
vertebra
CERVICAL VERTEBRAE
(Different from all other vertebra)
Smaller and lighter
Include a transverse foramen for arteries to brain
Bifid spinous process
1st and 2nd c.vert = atlas and axis
1st (atlas) articulates with occipital condyles
no body
large superior articulating process
allows us to nod “yes”
nd
2 c.vert = axis
has a body with odontoid process
projects into ring of atlas
allows us to say “no”
C-7 vertebra prominens, large, nonbifid spinous process
Seen and felt at base of neck
12 THORACIC VERTEBRAE
long, pointed spinous processes, project downward
articulate with ribs
smooth facets on side of body for heads of ribs
inferior demifacet of a TV will articulate with
rib with superior demifacet of lower TV
T-10 thru T-12 whole facets on bodies
5 LUMBAR VERTEBRAE
thickest and largest
able to provide support
spinous process is quadrilateral in shape
projects nearly straight out
point of attachment for largest back muscle(latissimus
dorsi)
SACRUM
Delta shaped bone
Strong foundation for pelvic girdle
Between 2 hip bones – forms posterior pelvic
cavity
4 pair of foramina for nerves and BV
sacral canal – continuation of vertebral canal
sacral hiatus – 4th and 5th sacral vert don’t meet
point of caudal anesthesia
located by sacral cornea (bony
prominences)
COCCYX
Fusion of coccygeal vertebrae
Attaches to sacrum by ligaments
Spina bifida – usually in lumbar vert.
Laminae(base of spinous process) fail to
unite
Vertebral canal is open
Protrusion of spinal cord
Paralysis, loss of urinary bladder control
No reflexesb