Chapter:4 Spine

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

31 pairs (8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 1 coccygeal)

There are ________ vertebrae in the vertebral column.

33

The sacral promontory is a bony landmark that separates the __________ cavity from the ________ cavity.

Abdominal, Pelvic.

Dorsal horns contain (afferent/efferent) neurons.

Afferent

Function of the Sacral Foramina:

Allows the passage of nerves.

Vertebra Prominens

Also called C7. It has a long spinous process which most people can feel by palpation at the base of the neck.

The sacral promontory is located on the (anterior/posterior) surface of the 1st segment.

Anterior

What helps prevents hyperextension of the vertebral column?

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

Ventral Horns

Anterior projections of gray matter that contain efferent (motor) neurons.

Sacroilliac Joints

Articulations between the sacrum and pelvic bones.

The (atlas/axis) contains a body & spinous process.

Axis (C2)

What are the 2 main parts of each vertebral?

Body, vertebral arch

Innervates the upper extremities:

Brachial Plexus

In what structure would you find the transverse foramina?

C1 (Atlas)

The inferior articular process of C1 articulates with:

C2

This vertebra has the dens:

C2 (Axis)

Which vertebrae(s) have a bifid spinous process?

C3-C6 (typically not C7)

The splenius muscle runs from:

C7 to T6

The bundle of nerves at the end of the spinal cord are called the:

Cauda Equina

What is the spinal cord surrounded by?

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Name each vertebral column section and how many are there of each.

Cervical (7), Thoracic (12), Lumbar (5), Sacrum (5 fused together), Coccyx (3-5 fused together)

Which vertebral column(s) sections have a slightly lordotic curvature?

Cervical and lumbar.

Name the 4 major nerve plexuses.

Cervical, Brachial, Lumbar, Sacral

The small fused bony segments are called:

Coccyx

What is also called the tailbone?

Coccyx

Vertebral Endplate

Compact bone on the superior and inferior portion of the vertebral body.

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

Connects anterior aspects of vertebral bodies and disks; helps prevent hyperextension.

The thoracic vertebrae have typical configurations, except for their four characteristic ___________ that articulate with the ribs.

Costal Facets (demi facets)

What are the four characteristic costal facets called and how many of each?

Costovertebral Joints (2) and Costotransverse joints (2)

On an x-ray, if you see a shortened disk space, it may indicate ____________ of the disk.

Deterioration

Muscle that aids in respiration:

Diaphragm

What are the layers from superficial to deep of the spinal minges?

Dura, Arachnoid and Pia Mater

Ventral horns contain (afferent/efferent) neurons.

Efferent.

Dorsal horns contain afferent (sensory) neurons; where sensory info from the body _______ the cord.

Enters

What is the most intermediate muscle of the spine?

Erector Spinae.

Which muscle runs from C4 to the entire spinal column?

Erector Spinae.

When curvatures become ________, then it's an issue.

Exaggerated.

Lordosis

Excessive forward convex curvature of the spine, "swayback".

Kyphosis

Excessive outward (backward) curvature of the spine, causing hunching of the back.

Ventral horns contain efferent (motor) neurons; where motor info _______ the cord to the rest of the body.

Exit.

What is the function of the splenius muscle?

Extends the head and neck.

The cervical plexus supplies which muscles?

Face, ear, scalp, and upper thoracic area.

T/F- Curvatures are not normal in the spine.

False.

Annulus fibrosus

Firmer outer portion of a intervertebral disk.

What forms the Atlanto-occipital joint?

Formed when the superior articular processes articulate with occipital condyles.

Zygapophyseal (facet) joints

Gives additional support and movement to the vertebral column.

Inside portion of the spin cord:

Gray Matter

What is composed of nerve cells and has cross section that gives an appearance of a butterfly?

Gray Matter

What forms the zygapophyseal (facet) joints?

Inferior and superior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae.

Concave surfaces called; pedicles create an opening that is called what:

Intervertebral foramina

Where does the spinal cord end at?

L1-L2

The largest vertebra:

L5

Entire weight of upper body is transferred from ______ vertebra to the ________.

L5, sacrum

What components are found in the vertebral arch and how many of each?

Laminae (2), Spinous Process, Transverse Process (2), Superior Articular Process (2), Inferior Articular Process (2)

Sacral Promontory

Large ridge on superior part of S-1

Femoral Nerve

Largest branch in the lumbar plexus.

Sciatic Nerve

Largest branch in the sacral plexus.

Scoliosis

Lateral curvature of the spine (s-shape)

Transverse process of sacrum combines to form _____________ _________.

Lateral masses.

What helps preserve the normal curvature?

Ligament Flava

Spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae is typically __________ and ________.

Long and slender

What serves lower abdominopelvic region and anterior & medial muscles of the thigh.

Lumbar Plexus

Phrenic Nerve

Major motor branch of the cervical plexus.

What is the function of the Erector Spinae?

Massive muscle that allows for the extension of the spine.

Coccyx

Most inferior portion of the vertebral column.

Plexuses

Network of nerves or vessels in the body that serve the motor and sensory needs of the muscle and skin of the extremities.

The intervertebral discs have a soft center called the ____________ and a firmer outer portion called the ______________________.

Nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus

What structure acts as a pivot for head rotation?

Odontoid process (dens)

What structure projects upwards from the C2 body into the ring of C1?

Odontoid process (dens)

Where is the Ligament Flava located?

On either side of the spinous process.

Intervertebral Foramina

Opening for the transmission of spinal nerves and blood.

What is the function(s) of the spinal cord?

Pathway for impulses to and from the brain and serves as a reflex center.

Concave surfaces that create an opening (intervertebral foramina) are called:

Pedicles

Lateral masses atriculate with the _______ bones at the ____________ joints.

Pelvis, Sacroillac.

What helps prevents hyperflexion of the vertebral column?

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

What prevents the disks from protruding into the spinal canal?

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Posterior to the bodies within vertebral column; helps prevent posterior protrusion of disk and hyperflexion.

What are the benefits of having curves in the vertebral columns?

Provides flexibility and distributes weight.

Describe the features of the C1 (Atlas).

Ring-like structure; no body; no spinous process.

Supplies the buttock, posterior thigh and feet:

Sacral Plexus.

What bony landmark separates the abdominal cavity from the pelvic cavity?

Sacral Promontory

What is the largest nerve in the body?

Sciatic Plexus

Intervertebral Disks

Shock absorbing cartilage.

Disks

Shock-absorbing cartilage

What is the function of the Transversospinal?

Short several muscles that flex and rotate the entire vertebral column.

The vertebral arch attaches to _____ of the body.

Sides

The ___________ _________ is housed within the vertebral canal.

Spinal Cord

What serves as a reflex center?

Spinal Cord

The thecal sac is formed by the:

Spinal Meninges

What, besides bone, protects the spinal cord:

Spinal Meninges

The posterior projections of the vertebrae are

Spinous Process.

What is the most superficial muscle of the spine?

Splenius

Two muscles that help move the upper extremities:

Splenius and Erector Spinae

Name the 3 main categories of muscle in the spine in order from superficial to deep?

Splenius, Erector Spinae, Transversospinal

What forms the articulation between the head and neck (be specific):

Superior Articular Process

What forms the Intervertebral Foramina?

Superior and inferior notches of adjacent vertebrae.

Whats is the function of the vertebral body?

Supports body weight

What are the functions of the vertebral column?

Supports body weight, maintains posture and protects the spinal cord/nerves.

What joins tips of the spinous process together from C7-L5?

Supraspinous Ligament

Nucleus Pulposus

The central, soft portion of a intervertebral disk:

Where is the CSF contained?

Thecal Sac

Have facets for articulation with the ribs:

Thoracic Vertebrae

Which vertebral column(s) have a slightly kyphosis curvature?

Thoracic and sacrum.

Size of the vertebral bodies increase from ______ of column to _________.

Top, bottom

Which muscle of the spine is made up of several short muscles that aid in flexation and rotation of the vertebral column?

Transverospinal

The vertebral arteries and veins pass through these:

Transverse Foramina

What is considered a deep muscle of the spine?

Transversospinal

The brachial plexus supplies which muscles?

Upper extremities and shoulder.

What 2 components make up the vertebral column?

Vertebrae and Intervertebral discs.

What structure contains and protects the spinal cord?

Vertebral Canal

The vertebral arch attaches to the sides of the body and creates the __________ _______ that creates the vertebral canal:

Vertebral Foramen

Costovertebral joints

Where the head of the rib articulates with the vertebral body.

Costotransverse Joints

Where the tubercle of ribs articulate with transverse process.

(Gray/white) matter is more abundant.

White

External borders of the spinal cord:

White Matter

Dorsal Horns

posterior projections of the gray matter that contain afferent (sensory) neurons.