PAS 407 - Vertebral Column UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Provides framework for axial skeleton
- allows us to stand upright
Movement:
What are the functions of the vertebral column?
- individual movement between vertebra is small, but
collectively 23 joints can generate a massive amount of
movement
- movement dependent on joint architecture
- spinal cord rests in vertebral canal; protected from blunt
trauma
What does the vertebral protect? - also protection for vena cava, aorta, trachea, esophagus;
structures that would "kink" if not for proximity to vertebral
column
7 cervical (neck)
12 thoracic (upper back)
5 lumbar (lower back)
5 sacral (pelvis)
4 coccygeal
How is the vertebral column divided? - inferior vertebral larger than superior vertebra due to
increase in weight bearing further down column
@ sacrum;
Where does the the vertebral reverse in size? S1 largest, size decreases into coccyx; due to inferolateral
diffusion of weight bearing into lower limbs
What is the main support for body of column?
,- each body accepts weight of superior vertebral bodies
- reason for increased size of lower vertebrae; greater base
of support
outer shell of dense, compact bone
- rigid support
What is the body of column composed of?
inner core of spongy trabecular (cancellous) bone
- trabeculae oriented in vertical/horizontal latticework
loss of bone mineral content, bone density
- selective loss in horizontal trabeculae results in de-
creased support, collapse of vertical trabeculae
- appear radiographically as vertical striations, with central
osteoporosis
column collapse due to central weakness (compact bone
remains relatively strong)
centrum
- primary ossification (bone remodeling) center; inner
core
What are the different regions of ossification?
epiphyseal ring
- secondary ossification center located on circumference
of superior/.inferior surface
Vertebral arch
, - posterior archway over vertebral foramen (location of
spinal cord)
- responsible for spinal cord protection
includes pedicles, lamina, spinous process, transverse
process, superior/inferior articulating processes
- "feet" of the arch; anchors arch to body
- vertebral notches - concave superior/inferior surfaces of
pedicles; form 1/2 of intervertebral foreman
intervertebral = situated between vertebrae
pedicles
- broad, angled plates of bone
- bridge of the arch
lamina
- provides protection from posterior surfaces
- accepts anterior directed force, dissipates away from
vertebral foreman, towards pedicles
Answers
Provides framework for axial skeleton
- allows us to stand upright
Movement:
What are the functions of the vertebral column?
- individual movement between vertebra is small, but
collectively 23 joints can generate a massive amount of
movement
- movement dependent on joint architecture
- spinal cord rests in vertebral canal; protected from blunt
trauma
What does the vertebral protect? - also protection for vena cava, aorta, trachea, esophagus;
structures that would "kink" if not for proximity to vertebral
column
7 cervical (neck)
12 thoracic (upper back)
5 lumbar (lower back)
5 sacral (pelvis)
4 coccygeal
How is the vertebral column divided? - inferior vertebral larger than superior vertebra due to
increase in weight bearing further down column
@ sacrum;
Where does the the vertebral reverse in size? S1 largest, size decreases into coccyx; due to inferolateral
diffusion of weight bearing into lower limbs
What is the main support for body of column?
,- each body accepts weight of superior vertebral bodies
- reason for increased size of lower vertebrae; greater base
of support
outer shell of dense, compact bone
- rigid support
What is the body of column composed of?
inner core of spongy trabecular (cancellous) bone
- trabeculae oriented in vertical/horizontal latticework
loss of bone mineral content, bone density
- selective loss in horizontal trabeculae results in de-
creased support, collapse of vertical trabeculae
- appear radiographically as vertical striations, with central
osteoporosis
column collapse due to central weakness (compact bone
remains relatively strong)
centrum
- primary ossification (bone remodeling) center; inner
core
What are the different regions of ossification?
epiphyseal ring
- secondary ossification center located on circumference
of superior/.inferior surface
Vertebral arch
, - posterior archway over vertebral foramen (location of
spinal cord)
- responsible for spinal cord protection
includes pedicles, lamina, spinous process, transverse
process, superior/inferior articulating processes
- "feet" of the arch; anchors arch to body
- vertebral notches - concave superior/inferior surfaces of
pedicles; form 1/2 of intervertebral foreman
intervertebral = situated between vertebrae
pedicles
- broad, angled plates of bone
- bridge of the arch
lamina
- provides protection from posterior surfaces
- accepts anterior directed force, dissipates away from
vertebral foreman, towards pedicles
