Term
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Definition
33 vertebrae
Cervical: C1-7 - Atlas(C1)/Axis(C2)
Thoracic: T1-12
Lumbar: L1-5
Sacral: S1-5 (sacrum - 5 segments)
Coccygeal: Co1-4 (coccyx - 4 segments)
Sacrum & coccyx are fused
Spinous process overlapping the inferior vertebra |
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Term
| Vertebral Column Contents |
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Definition
Spinal cord
Dorsal rootlets
Ventral rootlets
Dorsal nerve root
Ventral nerve root
Meninges |
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Term
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Definition
| The spinal nerve is located OUTSDIE the vertebral canal by exiting through the intervertebral foramen |
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Term
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Definition
Thoracic and Sacral curvatures
Form during the fetal period |
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Term
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Definition
Cervical and lumbar curvatures
Form after birth as a result of lifting the head first (cervical) and then walking (lumbar) |
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Term
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Definition
Exaggeration of the thoracic curvature
May occur in the aged due to: osteoporosis or disc degeneration |
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Term
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Definition
Exaggeration of the lumbar curvature
May occur as a result of pregnancy, spondylolisthesis or pot belly |
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Term
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Definition
Complex lateral deviation/torsion
May occur due to poliomyelitis, short leg, or hip disease |
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Term
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Definition
The articulations between the superior articular surfaces of the atlas (C1) and the occiptital condyles
Nodding the head Yes occurs here
Tilting the head sideways occurs here
Synovial joints - NO intervertbral disc
Anterior and posterior atlanto-occipital membranes limit excessive movement at this joint |
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Term
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Definition
The articulations between the atlas(C1) and the axis (C2)
Includes 2 lateral atlantoaxial joints between the inferior facets of C1 and superior facets of C2
1 median atlantoaxial joint between anterior arch of C1 and dens of C2
Turning the head side to side "no" occurs here
Synovial joint - no intervertebral disc
Alar ligaments extend from sides of dens to lateral margins of foramen magnum limit excessive movement at this joint |
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Term
| Atlantoaxial Dislocation (Subluxation) |
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Definition
Caused by the rupture of the transerse ligament of the atlas (trauma ie:Jefferson fracture or rheumatoid arthritis)
Allows mobility of the dens(part of C2) withing vertebral canal putting spinal cord at risk
-could lead to quadriplegia
Or putting the medulla at risk
- could lead to respiratory
paralysis and sudden death! |
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Term
Atlantoaxial Dislocation(Subluxation)
The DENS |
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Definition
Secured in position by:
TRANSVERSE LIGAMENT OF THE ATLAS,
which together with the SUPERIOR LONGITUDINAL BAND and INFERIOR LONGITUDINAL BAND form the CRUCIATE LIGAMENT (a widening of the atlantodental interval- the distance from the anterior arch of C1 to the dens- suggests tearing of the transverse ligament
ALAR LIGAMENTS
TECTORAL MEMBRANE (continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament) |
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Term
Vasculature of the Vertebral Column:
ARTERIAL SUPPLY |
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Definition
The vertebrae are supplied by:
PERIOSTEAL BRANCHES
EQUATORIAL BRANCHES
SPINAL BRANCHES - all from larger parent arteries that include:vertebral arteries, ascending cervical arteries,segmented arteries of the trunk,posterior intercostal arteries, subcostal & lumbar arteries in the abdomen, and iliolumbar and lateral and medial sacral arteries in the pelvis |
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Term
ARTERIAL SUPPLY:
PERIOSTAL and EQUATORIAL BRANCHES |
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Definition
| Arise from the parent arteries as the travel along the anterolateral surface of the vertebrae |
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Term
ARTERIAL SUPPLY:
SPINAL BRANCHES |
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Definition
Enters the intervertebral foramina and divides into: ANTERIOR VERTEBRAL CANAL BRANCH which sends nutrient arteries to the vertebral bodies and the POSTERIOR VERTEBRAL CANAL BRANCH.
The spinal branches terminate as the SEGMENTAL MEDULLARY ARTERIES or RADICULAR ARTERIES, which supply the spinal cord. |
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Term
Vasculature of the Vertebral Column:
VENOUS DRAINAGE |
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Definition
| Vertebrae drained by SPINAL VEINS, which form THE INTERNAL VERTEBRAL VENOUS PLEXUS and THE EXTERNAL VERTEBRAL VENOUS PLEXUS |
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Term
| VENOUS DRAINAGE: BASIVERTEBRAL VEINS |
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Definition
Form within the the vertebral bodies
Exit via foramina on the vertebral surface
Drain into internal vertebral venous plexus (anterior portion) |
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Term
| VENOUS DRAINAGE: INTERVERTEBRAL VEINS |
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Definition
Receive veins from the spinal cord and the vertebral venous plexuses
Accompany spinal nerves through the intervertebral foramina |
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Term
| DENERVATION OF ZYGAPOPHYSEAL(FACET)JOINTS |
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Definition
Are synovial joints between inferior and superior articular processes.
Joints are located near intervertebral foramen.
If traumataized or diseased a spinal nerve may be impinged and cause severe pain.
Pain is relieved by severing the medial branches of the dorsal primary ramus (dorsal rhizotomy) |
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Term
| DISLOCATIONS WITHOUT FRACTURE |
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Definition
Occur only in the cervical region because the articular surfaces are inclined horizontally.
Cervical dislocations will stretch the posterior longitudinal ligament. |
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Term
| DISLOCATIONS WITH FRACTURE |
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Definition
| Occur in the thoracic and lumbar regions because the articular surfaces are inclined vertically. |
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Term
| STABILITY OF THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN |
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Definition
Mainly determined by 4 ligaments:
1. Anterior longitudinal ligament
2. Posterior longitudinal ligament
3. Ligamentum flavum
4. Interspinous ligaments |
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Term
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Definition
| Occurs for breast, lung, and prostate cancer to the brain because of the INTERNAL VERTEBRAL VENOUS PLEXUS, BASIVERTEBRAL VEINS, & EXTERNAL VERTEBRAL VENOUS PLEXUS surrounds the vertebral column and communicates with the cranial dural sinuses and veins of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. |
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Term
| PROTRUSION OF THE NUCLEUS PULPOSUS |
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Definition
| An intervertebral disc consists of the ANNULUS FIBROSIS (fibrocartilage) and NUCLEUS PULPOSUS (remnant of the embryonic notochord). The nucleus pulposus generally HERNIATES IN A POSTERIOR-LATERAL DIRECTION and compresses a nerve root! |
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Term
| SPONDYLOLISTHESIS (no fracture) |
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Definition
Spondylo = vertebra
olisthesis = to slide on an incline
The anterior subluxation of the vertebral body so the body of vertebra moves anterior with repect to the vertebrae below it, causing a lordosis.
Occurs when the PEDICLES |
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Term
HANGMAN FRACTURE
(traumatic spondylolisthesis of C2) |
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Definition
Occurs when a force is applied with the neck hyperextended (extension component of whiplash, car accident when chin or forehead hits dashboard, head-on collision in football, or hanging)
Spinal cord is placed at risk
Traumatic spondylolisthesis of C2 includes the following pathology:
Fracture of the pars interarticularis bilaterally of the C2 vertebra.
Anterior subluxation of the C2 vertebra.
Tear of the anterior longitudinal ligament.
Posterior fractured portion of C2 remains attached to C3(in a legal drop hanging) |
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Term
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Definition
Very common degenerative process of the vertebral column.
Occurs in the cervical region of elderly patients.
Extent of degeneration ranges from mild disc space narrowing and bone spur formation to severe SPONDYLOSIS DEFORMANS (disc space narrowing, facet joint narrowing, and bone spur formation.) |
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Term
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Definition
Caused by hyperflexion of the cervical region ( diving into shallow water, rebound flexion component of whiplash from a rear-end car accident, or head-on collision in football).
Spinal cord at risk.
Triangular fragment (teardrop body) is sheared off of the anterior-inferior corner of the dislocating vertebral body.
Results in complete disruption of the cervical spine with upper portion of vertebra displaced posteriorly and angulated anteriorly.
Includes following pathology:
Avulsion fracture of a cervical vertebral body (teardrop body)
Fracture of the spinous process
Posterior subluxation of vertebrae
Compression of the spinal cord
Tear of the anterior longitudinal ligament
Tear/disruption of the posterior longitudinal ligament,Ligamentum flavum,Interspinous ligament, and Supraspinous ligament. |
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Term
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Definition
Caused by COMPRESSION OF THE CERVICAL REGION (force applied to the top of the head)
Places spinal cord at risk
Includes the following pathology:
Fracture of C1 vertbra at multiple sites
Lateral displacement or C1 vertebra beyond the margins of the C2 vertebra
Tear of the transverse ligament |
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Term
| HYPEREXTENSION (WHIPLASH) INJURY |
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Definition
Caused by hyperextension of the cervical region (extension component of whiplash from a rear-end car accident, or when chin or forehead strikes dashboard, or head-on collision in football)
Strain of the paravertebral disc and widening of the intervertebral space may occur (bony fractures and dislocations are uncommon)
But, in more violent hyperextension injuries (football head-on collision) a fracture of the posterior portion of the cervical vertebrae may occur |
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Term
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Definition
Caused by hyperflexion of the thoracic or lumbar region (seat belt injury most commonly at L2 or L3 when thrown forward against seat belt in sudden deceleration and assoc. with intra-abdominal injuries)
Generally DOES NOT place spinal cord at risk
Includes the following pathology:
Transverse fracture of the vertebral body and arch
Rupture of the intervertebral disc
Tear of the posterior longitudinal ligament, ligamentum flavum, interspinous ligament, and supraspinous ligament |
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