VERTEBRAL COLUMNVERTEBRAL COLUMN

Gross AnatomyGross Anatomy

28 inches in length28 inches in lengthMedial border of scapula:Medial border of scapula:

Runs parallel to vertebral columnRuns parallel to vertebral column

Crosses ribs 2-7Crosses ribs 2-7

Vertebral Column RegionsVertebral Column Regions

Cervical (7)Cervical (7)Thoracic (12)Thoracic (12)Lumbar (5)Lumbar (5)Sacral (5)Sacral (5)Coccygeal (3-4)Coccygeal (3-4)

Primary Normal CurvaturesPrimary Normal Curvatures

Present at birthPresent at birthConvex posteriorlyConvex posteriorlyExamples:Examples:

ThoracicThoracic

Sacral Sacral Exaggeration:Exaggeration:

Kyphosis Kyphosis

Secondary Normal CurvaturesSecondary Normal Curvatures

Acquired laterAcquired laterConcave posteriorlyConcave posteriorlyExamples:Examples:

CervicalCervical

Lumbar Lumbar Exaggeration:Exaggeration:

Lordosis Lordosis

CurvaturesCurvatures

Scoliosis Scoliosis Spondylosis:Spondylosis:

Refer to text: p 496Refer to text: p 496

Intervertebral ArticulationsIntervertebral Articulations

Disc (symphysis)Disc (symphysis)SynovialSynovialSacroiliac:Sacroiliac:

Part synovial and part fibrousPart synovial and part fibrous

Costal facets and demifacetsCostal facets and demifacets

Disc (symphysis)Disc (symphysis)

20-30% of length of the column20-30% of length of the columnThicker in cervical and lumbar regions:Thicker in cervical and lumbar regions:

Greater flexibilityGreater flexibilityThinner in thoracic region:Thinner in thoracic region:

Reduced flexibilityReduced flexibilityStructure:Structure:

Annulus fibrosus (fibrocartilage)Annulus fibrosus (fibrocartilage)

Nucleus pulposus (avascular)Nucleus pulposus (avascular)

Synovial JointsSynovial Joints

Plane jointsPlane jointsNo joint capsulesNo joint capsulesBetween superior and inferior articulating Between superior and inferior articulating

facets:facets:Direction of motion determined by Direction of motion determined by

orientation orientation of facetsof facets

Motion SegmentMotion Segment

Functional unit of the spineFunctional unit of the spineConsists of:Consists of:

Two vertebraeTwo vertebrae

Intervening soft tissueIntervening soft tissue

Anterior segment:Anterior segment:Two bodies, disc, longitudinal ligaments.Two bodies, disc, longitudinal ligaments.

Posterior segment:Posterior segment:Two neural arches, apophyseal joints, Two neural arches, apophyseal joints, intervening ligaments.intervening ligaments.

Cervical VertebraeCervical Vertebrae

Transverse foraminae:Transverse foraminae:For vertebral arteriesFor vertebral arteries

Oblique articular facetsOblique articular facetsC2-C6 spines usually bifidC2-C6 spines usually bifidC7 = vertebra prominensC7 = vertebra prominensC1 = atlasC1 = atlasC2 = axisC2 = axis

Thoracic VertebraThoracic Vertebra

Have ribs attached:Have ribs attached:Bicipital ribs:Bicipital ribs:

To centrumTo centrum

To transverse processTo transverse processCentrum is heart-shapedCentrum is heart-shapedArticular facets more horizontalArticular facets more horizontalSpinous processes longer and narrowerSpinous processes longer and narrower

Typical Thoracic VertebraTypical Thoracic Vertebra

Has two costal demifacets on body:Has two costal demifacets on body:Superior:Superior:

For articulation with head of own rib.For articulation with head of own rib.

Inferior:Inferior:For articulation with head of inferior rib.For articulation with head of inferior rib.

Has costal facets for tubercle of rib on Has costal facets for tubercle of rib on transverse process for own rib.transverse process for own rib.

Atypical Thoracic VertebraeAtypical Thoracic Vertebrae

#1:#1:Complete costal for own rib.Complete costal for own rib.

Inferior costal demifacet on body for rib 2.Inferior costal demifacet on body for rib 2.

#10:#10:Complete costal facet on pedicel and body.Complete costal facet on pedicel and body.

May have costal facet on transverse process.May have costal facet on transverse process.

#11, 12:#11, 12:Costal facet on each pedicle.Costal facet on each pedicle.

No costal facets on transverse processes.No costal facets on transverse processes.

Lumbar VertebraLumbar Vertebra

Large, bulky centrumLarge, bulky centrumBroad spinous processesBroad spinous processesNo rib articulationsNo rib articulationsArticular facets are sagittalArticular facets are sagittalMamillary processes:Mamillary processes:

On back rim of each superior articular On back rim of each superior articular process.process.

Origins for multifidi.Origins for multifidi.

SacrumSacrum

Consists of 5 fused vertebraeConsists of 5 fused vertebraeWing-like processes of each vertebra=Wing-like processes of each vertebra=

AlaeAlae

For attachment to iliumFor attachment to iliumLip of body of first sacral vertebra =Lip of body of first sacral vertebra =

Sacral promontorySacral promontory

SacrumSacrum

Posterior crests:Posterior crests:Median crest:Median crest:

Fused spinous processesFused spinous processes

Intermediate crests:Intermediate crests:Fused articular (zygopophyseal) processesFused articular (zygopophyseal) processes

Lateral crests:Lateral crests:Fused transverse processesFused transverse processes

Sacral hiatusSacral hiatus