Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Back
Bolded Words
43
Anatomy
Graduate
05/19/2008

Additional Anatomy Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
functions of the vertebral column
Definition
1. protects the spinal cord
2. supports the weight of the body superior to the level of the pelvis
3. provides a partially rigid and flexible axis for the body and an extended base on which the head is placed and pivots
4. plays an important role in posture and locomotion
Term
locomotion
Definition
the movement from one place to another
Term
axial skeleton
Definition
articulated bones of the cranium, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum
Term
vertebral column regions
Definition
cervical (7)
thoracic (12)
lumbar (5)
sacral (5) - fused in adults to form the sacrum
coccyx (4) - fuse after age 30 to form the coccyx
Term
lumbosacral angle
Definition
occurs at the junction of, and is formed by, the long axes of the lumbar region of the vertebral column and the sacrum
Term
synovial zygapophysial joints
Definition
- locations at which the 25 superior vertebrae articulate
- facilitate and control the vertebral column's flexibility
Term
a typical vertebral body consists of:
Definition
1. a vertebral body
2. a vertebral arch
3. seven processes
Term
vertebral body
Definition
- more massive, roughly cylindrical, anterior part of the bone
- gives strength to the vertebral column and supports body weight
- size increases as column descends (most markedly from T4 inferiorly)
- consists of vascular, trabecular (spongy cancellous) enclosed by a thin external layer of compact bone
- one or more large foramina in the posterior surface accommodate basivertebral veins that drain the marrow
Term
trebecular bone of the vertebral body
Definition
- meshwork of mostly tall trabeculae intersecting with short, horizontal trabeculae
- intersects occupied by red marrow that is among the most active hematopoietic tissues of a mature individual
Term
epiphysial rim
Definition
- ring of smooth bone, derived from an anular epiphysis, fused to the body
- serve as growth zones
- provide protection to the vertebral bodies and permit some diffusion of fluid between the IV disc and the capillaries in the vertebral body
Term
centrum
Definition
- location where the superior and inferior epiphyses unite
- primary ossification center for the central mass of the vertebral body early in adult life
Term
vertebral arch
Definition
- posterior to the vertebral body and consists of 2 pedicles and laminae
Term
pedicle
Definition
- short, stout, cylindrical processes that project posteriorly from the vertebral body to meet the laminae
Term
laminae
Definition
broad, flat, plate of bone, which unite in the midline
Term
vertebral foramen
Definition
formed by the vertebral arch and the posterior surface of the vertebral body
Term
vertebral canal
Definition
- formed by the succession of vertebral foramina in the articulated vertebral column
- contains the spinal cord and the roots of the spinal nerves that emerge from it, along with the membranes (meninges), fat, adn vessels that surround and serve them
Term
vertebral notches
Definition
indentations observed in lateral views of the vertebrae superior and inferior to each pedicle between the superior and inferior articular processes posteriorly and the corresponding projections of the body anteriorly
Term
intervertebral foramina
Definition
- formed by the superior and inferior vertebral notches of adjacent vertebrae and the IV discs connecting them
- spinal (posterior root) ganglia are located here
- spinal nerves emerge here with their accompanying vessels
Term
processes of the vertebral arch
Definition
- 1 median spinous process
- 2 transverse processes
- 4 articular processes
Term
spinous process of vertebral arch
Definition
- projects posteriorly (and usually inferiorly, typically overlapping the vertebrae below) from the vertebral arch at the junction of the laminae
- afford attachment for deep back muscles and serve as levers, facilitating the muscles that fix or change position of the vertebrae
Term
transverse processes of vertebral arch
Definition
- project posterolaterally from the junctions of the pedicles and laminae
- afford attachment for deep back muscles and serve as levers, facilitating the muscles that fix or change position of the vertebrae
Term
articular process of vertebral arch
Definition
- two superior and two inferior
- also arise from the junctions of the pedicles and laminae
- each bear an articular surface (facet)
- in apposition with corresponding processes of vertebrae adjacent to them, forming zygapophysial (facet) joints
- determine the types of movement permitted and restricted between adjacent vertebrae of each region
- assist in keeping adjacent vertebrae aligned, particularly preventing one vertebrae from slipping anteriorly on the vertebrae below
- generally bear weight only temporarily
- inferior articular processes of L5 bear weight even in erect posture
Term
laminectomy
Definition
- the surgical excision of one or more spinous processes and adjacent supporting vertebral laminae in a particular region of the vertebral column
- performed surgically to gain access to the vertebral canal, providing posterior exposure of the spinal cord (if performed above L2) and roots of specific nerves
- often performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots caused by tumor, herniated IV disc, or bony hypertrophy
Term
cervical vertebrae characteristics
Definition
- form the skeleton of the neck
- smallest of the 24 moveable vertebrae
- located between the cranium and the thoracic vertebrae
- bear less weight than those of inferior regions
- cervical IV discs thinner then those inferior but relatively thick compared to the size of vertebral bodies they connect
- greatest range and variety of movement
-
Term
transverse foramen of cervical vertebrae
Definition
- single most distinctive feature
- in the transverse process
- vertebral arteries and their accompanying veins pass though (except C7: transmits only small accessory veins; foramina in C7 smaller and occasionally absent)
Term
anterior and posterior tubercle of cervical vertebrae
Definition
- transverse processes end laterally in these two projections
- provide attachment for a laterally placed group of cervical muscles (levator scapulae & scalenus)
- grooves on the transverse processed between tubercles (floor of groove being formed by costotransverse bar) accommodate the anterior rami of the cervical spinal nerves
Term
carotid tubercles of vertebra C6
Definition
- named because common carotid arteries may be compressed here, in the groove between the tubercle and body, to control bleeding from these vessels
Term
vertebrae C3-C7 characteristics
Definition
- demonstrate all features typical of cervical vertebrae: have large vertebral foramina to accommodate the enlargement of the spinal cord in this region in relation to the innervation of the upper limbs
- superior borders of transversely elongated bodies are elevated posteriorly and especially laterally btu are depressed anteriorly, resembling somewhat a sculpted seat
- inferior border of the body of the superiorly placed vertebra is reciprocally shaped
- adjacent cervical vertebrae articulate in a way that permits free flexion and extension and some lateral flexion but restricted rotation
- planar, nearly horizontal articular facets of the articular processes also favorable for these movements
Term
uncus of the body (uncinate process) of cervical vertebrae
Definition
elevated superolateral margin
Term
vertebra prominens
Definition
another name for C7
Term
atlas
Definition
- C1
- has neither a body, nor a spinous process
- ring shaped
- has paired lateral masses that serve the place of a body by bearing the weight of the cramium
- transverse processes arise from the lateral masses, causing them to be more laterally placed then those inferior
- widest of the cervical vertebrae, providing increased leverage for attached muscles
Term
superior articular surfaces of the lateral masses of the atlas
Definition
- kidney shaped & concave
- receive two large protuberances- occipital condyles, at the sides of the foramen magnum
Term
anterior & posterior arches of the atlas
Definition
- each bears a tubercle in the center of its external aspect, extended between the lateral masses, forming a complete ring
- posterior arch, corresponds to lamina of a typical vertebra, has a wide groove for the vertebral artery on its superior surface (C1 also runs in this groove)
Term
axis
Definition
- C2
- strongest of the cervical vertebrae
- the ATLAS rotates ON the AXIS ("no" movement of the head) via two large, flat bearing surfaces - the superior articular facets
- large bifid spinous process that can be felt deep in the nuchal groove, the superficial vertical groove at the back of the neck
Term
dens (odontoid process) of the axis
Definition
- distinguishing factor
- blunt tooth-like
- projects superiorly from the body of the axis
- the dens and spinal cord inside its covering are encircled by the atlas
- lies anterior to the spinal cord and serves as a pivot about which the rotation occurs
Term
transverse ligament of the atlas
Definition
- holds the dens in position against the posterior aspect of the anterior arch of the atlas
- extends from one lateral mass of the atlas to the other, passing between the dens and spinal cord, forming the posterior wall of the "socket" that receives the dens
- prevents posterior (horizontal) displacement of the dens and anterior displacement of the atlas
Term
dislocation of cervical vertebrae
Definition
- Cvert less tightly locked than other vert, stacked like books, & can be dislocated in neck injuries with less force than is required to fracture them.
- b/c large vertical canal in cervical region, slight dislocation can occur w/o damaging the spinal cord
- severe dislocations, or dislocations combined with fractures (fracture-dislocations) imjure the spinal cord
- if disloc. doesn't result in "facet jumping" with locking of the displaced articular processed, the Cvert may self-reduce so that a radiograph may not indicate that the cord has been injured (MRI may reveal soft tissue damage)
Term
fracture & dislocation of the Atlas
Definition
- b/c the thick side of the lateral mass wedges is directed laterally, vertical forces (as would result to a blow to the head from a falling object, or striking the bottom of a pool in a diving accident) compressing the lateral masses btwn the occipital condyles and the axis drive them apart, fracturing one or both of the bony arches.
- if force sufficient, rupture of transverse ligament will occur
- resulting Jefferson or burst fracture, in itself doesn't necessarily result in spinal cord injury b/c dimensions of bony ring actually increase
- spinal cord injury more likely if transverse ligament has also been ruptured, indicated radiographically by widely spread lateral masses
Term
fracture & dislocation of the Axis
Definition
- fractures of vertebral arch of the axis are one of the most common injuries of the Cvert (up to 40%)
- usually occurs in bony column formed by the superior and inferior articular processes of the axis, the pars interarticularis; fx here, called a traumatic spondylolysis of C2 usually occurs as a resuly of hyperextension of the head on the neck, rather than combined hyperextension of the head and the neck, which results in a whiplash injury
- hyperextention of the head used in hanging criminals, thus this fx is commonly called a hangman's fx
- more severe injuries, body of C2 is displaced anteriorly with respect to body of C3; w/ or w/o such subluxation (incomplete dislocation) of axis, injury of spinal cord and/or brainstem is likely, sometimes resulting in quadriplegia or death
- fracture of the dens also common in axis injuries (40-50%) which may result from horizontal blow to the head or as a complication of osteopenia (pathological loss of bone mass)
Term
thoracic vertebrae characteristics (focus T5-T8)
Definition
- lie in the upper back and provide attachment for the ribs
- primary feature = costal facets for articulation with the ribs
- middle 4 (T5-T8) demonstrate all features typical of a Tvert: articular processes extend vertically with paired, nearly coronally oriented articular facets that define an arc centered in the IV disc which permits rotation (greatest degree) and some lateral flexion of the vertebral column in this region
- attachment of rib cage combined with vertical orientation of articular facets and overlapping spinous processes limits flexion and extension as well as lateral flexion
Term
thoracic vertebrae characteristics (focus T1-T4)
Definition
- share some features of cervical vertebrae
- T1 atypical in that has a long, almost horizontla spinous process that may be nearly as prominent as that of the vertebra prominens
- T1 also has a complete costal facet on the superior edge of its body for the 1st rib and a demifacet on its inferior edge that contributed to the articular surface for the 2nd rib
Term
thoracic vertebrae characteristics (focus T9-T12)
Definition
- have some features of lumbar vertebrae, including tubercles similar to the accessory and mamillary processes of lumbar vertebrae
- most transition in characteristics from thoracic to lumbar occurs over T12
- superior half of T12 thoracic in character, having costal facets and articular processes that permit only flexion and extension
- T12 subject to transitional stress that cause it to be the most commonly fractured vertebra
Term
lumbar vertebrae characteristics
Definition
- located in the lower back between the thorax and sacrum
-
Supporting users have an ad free experience!