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Anatomy of the Vertebral Column: Terms, Functions, and Characteristics, Quizzes of Biology

Definitions and characteristics of the vertebral column, including its terms, functions, and the number and types of vertebrae. It covers the normal curvatures, cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebral characteristics, and discusses abnormalities such as kyphosis and lordosis. The document also includes information on the typical structures of the vertebrae and their functions.

Typology: Quizzes

2014/2015

Uploaded on 05/19/2015

jennychapman-1992
jennychapman-1992 🇺🇸

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TERM 1
vertebral column
DEFINITION 1
extends from base of skull to the coccyx
TERM 2
functions of vertebral column
DEFINITION 2
protect spinal cord; support weight of body; aid in posture &
movement
TERM 3
number of vertebrae
DEFINITION 3
33
TERM 4
number of cervical vertebrae
DEFINITION 4
7
TERM 5
number of thoracic vertebrae
DEFINITION 5
12
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vertebral column

extends from base of skull to the coccyx

TERM 2

functions of vertebral column

DEFINITION 2

protect spinal cord; support weight of body; aid in posture &

movement

TERM 3

number of vertebrae

DEFINITION 3

TERM 4

number of cervical vertebrae

DEFINITION 4

TERM 5

number of thoracic vertebrae

DEFINITION 5

number of lumbar vertebrae

TERM 7

number of fused sacral vertebrae

DEFINITION 7

TERM 8

number of fused coccygeal vertebrae

DEFINITION 8

TERM 9

thoracic curvature

DEFINITION 9

normal; concave anteriorly

TERM 10

sacral curvature

DEFINITION 10

normal; concave anteriorly

typical vertebral body

large anterior portion that provides strength & permits

transmission of bodyweight & become larger as they

progress inferiorly in order to supportincreasingly greater

body weight

TERM 17

typical vertebral arch

DEFINITION 17

posterior portion of vertebra, composed of fused pedicles &

lamina

TERM 18

typical pedicles

DEFINITION 18

short, stout processes that join the vertebral arch to the

vertebral body. Each has superior & inferior vertebral

notches that form the intervertebral foramen

TERM 19

intervertebral foramen

DEFINITION 19

where the spinal nerves pass through

TERM 20

typical lamina

DEFINITION 20

2 broad, flat plates that close the vertebral arch posteriorly

typical vertebral foramen

opening for spinal cord; surrounded by the posterior wall of

thevertebral body and the vertebral arch

TERM 22

typical spinous process (1)

DEFINITION 22

projects posteriorly from the vertebral arch at the junction of

the twolaminae; attachment site for muscles & ligaments

TERM 23

typical transverse processes (2)

DEFINITION 23

project posterolaterally from junction of pedicles &

laminae;attachment site for muscles & ligaments

TERM 24

typical articular processes (4)

DEFINITION 24

2 superior & 2 inferior processes that articulate with

adjacentvertebrae forming zygapophysial joints. Located at

the junction of the pedicles & lamina.

TERM 25

laminectomy

DEFINITION 25

the surgical excision of one or more spinous processes and

their supporting laminae in a particular region of the

vertebral column. provide access to the vertebral canal to

relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, commonly

caused by a tumor, herniated IV disc, or bony hypertrophy

(excess growth).

cervical vertebral characteristics: spinous

processes

short & bifid, with the exception of C7, which has an

exaggeratedprocess called the vertebra prominens (easily

felt when neck flexed).

TERM 32

cervical vertebral characteristics: motions

available

DEFINITION 32

flexion & extension

TERM 33

Atlas

DEFINITION 33

ring-shaped; consisting of two lateral masses (with superior

& inferiorarticular processes) that are connected by an

anterior arch (replaces body) & posterior arch (instead of

lamina). On its cranial surface is a groove for the vertebral

artery.

TERM 34

Axis

DEFINITION 34

its distinguishing feature is the dens, which extends upwards

from the C2 body and forms a pivot joint with the articular

facet on the posterior surface of the anterior arch of C1.

TERM 35

atlanto-occipital joint

DEFINITION 35

C1 superior facet articulates with the occipital condyles;

allows for nodding, some side bending, and limited rotation.

atlanto-axial joint

C1 inferior facet articulates with C2 vertebra; allows for

pivotingof C1 around the dens of C2.

TERM 37

thoracic vertebral characteristics: vertebral

body

DEFINITION 37

heart-shaped with costal facets for articulation with the ribs

via: costovertebral joints and costotransverse joints.

TERM 38

thoracic vertebral characteristics:

costovertebral joints

DEFINITION 38

head of rib articulates with inferior & superiorcostal

facetslocated on vertebral body

TERM 39

thoracic vertebral characteristics:

costotransverse joints

DEFINITION 39

costal tubercle of rib articulates with costal facet on

transverse process (ribs 1-10)

TERM 40

thoracic vertebral characteristics: vertebral

foramen

DEFINITION 40

circular & smaller than those in cervical & lumbar regions

lumbar vertebral characteristics: vertebral

foramen

triangular-shaped (larger than in thoracic vertebrae)

TERM 47

lumbar vertebral characteristics: transverse

processes

DEFINITION 47

long & slender transverse processes, with no costal facets

TERM 48

lumbar vertebral characteristics: articular

processes

DEFINITION 48

superior facets are directed posteromedially; inferiorfacets

are directed anterolaterally.

TERM 49

lumbar vertebral characteristics: spinous

processes

DEFINITION 49

short & stout

TERM 50

lumbar vertebral characteristics: motions

available

DEFINITION 50

flexion & extension, some lateral bending, & limited rotation

spina bifida

developmental disorder caused by failure of the vertebral arches

(usually in the lumbar region) to fuse. This is the most common

congenital anomaly of the vertebral column. Only skin (usually

with a tuft of hair) is all that covers the spinal cord. If the vertebral

arches completely fail to develop, the meninges (meningocele) or

the meninges & spinal cord (meningomyelocele) may herniate

through this defect.

TERM 52

sacral vertebral characteristics:

DEFINITION 52

Consists of 5 fused vertebrae that provide strength &

stability to the pelvis and transmits bodyweight to the ilium

through the sacroiliac joints.

TERM 53

sacral vertebral characteristics: anterior

surface

DEFINITION 53

(pelvic) surface is smooth & concave

TERM 54

sacral vertebral characteristics: posterior

surface

DEFINITION 54

rough & convex.

TERM 55

sacral vertebral characteristics: sacral

foramina

DEFINITION 55

paired openings on anterior & posterior sides to transmit the

sacral nerves

disc herniation

(or protrusion of the nucleus pulposus into or through the anulus fibrosus) is a well-recognized cause of back pain. this material may directly compress nerve roots or the spinal cord itself, resulting in pain &/or neurologic deficits. Most posterolateral these occur between L4/L5 or L5/S1, typically affecting the nerve root immediately inferior to it (i.e., the L4 disc impinges on the L5 nerve root.) IV disc protrusions also frequently occur in the cervical region. There, the IV discs are placed in the anterior border of the IV foramen, so a herniating disc compresses the nerve actually exiting at that level. (Remember, cervical spinal nerves exit superior to the vertebra of the same number.) TERM 62

anterior longitudinal ligament

DEFINITION 62

strong, broad fibrous band that covers the anterolateral

aspect of vertebral bodies & IV discs. Runs from the occipital

bone to the sacrum. Helps resist hyperextension of the

vertebral column.

TERM 63

posterior longitudinal ligament

DEFINITION 63

narrow ligament that runs within the vertebral canal along

the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies. Helps resist

hyperflexion of the vertebral column.

TERM 64

ligamentum flava

DEFINITION 64

broad, pale yellow fibrous tissue joining adjacent vertebral

laminae

TERM 65

supraspinous ligaments

DEFINITION 65

connects the tips of the spinous processes from C7 to the

sacrum. Above C7, these fibers merge with the nuchal

ligament

nuchal ligament

extremely strong band stretching from the external occipital

protuberance to the spinous processes of the cervical

vertebrae.

TERM 67

interspinous ligaments

DEFINITION 67

thin ligament that connects adjacent spinous processes

TERM 68

intratransverse ligaments

DEFINITION 68

connect adjacent transverse processes

TERM 69

vasculature of vertebral column: spinal

branches

DEFINITION 69

of major cervical & segmental arteries supply the vertebral

column

TERM 70

vasculature of vertebral column: internal &

external vertebral venous plexuses

DEFINITION 70

collect blood from the vertebrae and draininto the vertebral

veins of the neck and segmental veins of the trunk