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Vertebral Column

The document discusses the anatomy and structure of the vertebral column. It describes the five regions of the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccyx) and differences between them. It also covers intervertebral discs, spinal curvatures, facet joints, and abnormal spinal curvatures like scoliosis, lordosis, and kyphosis.

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Otong Zam Zamy
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65 views26 pages

Vertebral Column

The document discusses the anatomy and structure of the vertebral column. It describes the five regions of the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccyx) and differences between them. It also covers intervertebral discs, spinal curvatures, facet joints, and abnormal spinal curvatures like scoliosis, lordosis, and kyphosis.

Uploaded by

Otong Zam Zamy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Vertebral

Column
By: Alex Bond, Rob
DeSanctis, Athina
Krimitzi and Maria
Spinosi

Name the Parts


of the Vertebral
column

Spine
5 regions
Function: axial
support for the
body and
balance
Protect spinal
cord
Flexible motion
Also known as
vertebral column

Cervical Vertebrae
7 cervical
vertebrae
Identified as C1C7
First 2 are called
atlas and axis
because they
perform different
functions

Thoracic
Larger than
cervical
vertebrae
Articulate to
ribs
T1-T12

Lumbar
L1-L5
Massive blocklike bodies
Short-hatchet
shaped spinous
process
Sturdiest

Sacral
Fusion of 5 vertebrae
Ala connects to hip
Forms pelvic
posterior wall
Superior to coccyx
It is between the two
hip bones connecting
the spine to the
pelvis
Ends the vertebral
canal

Coccyx
Tailbone
Fusion of 3-5
irreglar
invertabrae
Remnant of the
tail that other
vertebrae
animals have

Explain how the


cervical,
thoracic, and
lumbar
vertebrae differ
from one
another

Cervical
Neck region
Protects the brain stem and the
spinal cord
Supports the skull
Very mobile
Is responsible for movement of the
head
Allows for a wide range of
movement

Thoracic
Thoracic cavity
Rib attachments and longer
spinous processes add to the
thoracic strength
These structures make the
thoracic spine more stable and
larger than the cervical or
lumbar regions

Thoracic
Distinguished because they are
the only vertebrae to articulate
with the ribs
The spinous process is long and
hooks sharply downward
The rib cage and ligament
system limit the thoracic spines
range of motion and protects
vital organs.

Lumbar
Lower back
Larger range of motion than the
thoracic, less than the cervical
Joints allow for significant
flexion and extension
movement but limits rotation

Lumbar
Have massive blocklike bodies
Short hatchet shaped spinous
processes
Because they have the most
stress, they are sturdiest

Discuss the
importance of
intervertebral
discs and
spinal
curvatures

Intervertebral Discs
Pads of flexible
fibrocartilage
which separate
individual
vertebrae
Cushion
vertebrae,
absorb shocks,
allow for spine
flexibility

QuickTime and a
QuickTime
and a
TIFF (Uncompressed)
decompressor
TIFF
(Uncompressed)
decompressor
are needed to see this
picture.
are needed to see this picture.

Changes in Discs
Structure changes
with age
In a young person,
~90% is water
QuickTime
QuickTime and
and aa
TIFF
TIFF (Uncompressed)
(Uncompressed) decompressor
decompressor
are
are needed
needed to
to see
see this
this picture.
picture.

Spongy and
flexible

Water content
decreases with age,
discs become
harder and less
compressible
More susceptible to
herniated, or
slipped, discs

Curvatures
Discs and S-shaped structure prevent shock
to the head when we walk or run, make the
body flexible
Primary
Secondary
Curvatures of the
thoracic and sacral
regions
Present at birth
C-shape of a
newborn

Curvatures of cervical
and lumbar regions
Develop after birth
Allow us to center body
weight on lower limbs
Cervical - Baby begins to
raise head
Lumbar - Baby begins to
walk

QuickTime and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

Identify the
joints that
connect bones
of the vertebral
column

Facet Joints
Each vertebra has two sets of
facet joints. One pair faces upward
(superior articular facet) and one
downward (inferior articular
facet).
There is one joint on each side
(right and left).
Facet joints are hingelike and link
vertebrae together.
They are synovial joints.
This means each joint is surrounded
by a capsule of connective tissue
and produces a fluid to nourish and
lubricate the joint.

The joint surfaces are coated with


cartilage allowing joints to move
or glide smoothly articulate
against each other.

Lumbo-sacral Joints
Special joint between S1
and L5
The lumbosacral region
of the spine consists of 5
lumbar vertebrae and
the sacrum (5 bones
joined together).
The sacral segment is
inclined anteriorly and
inferiorly forms an angel
with the horizontal called
the lumbo-sacral angle

Explain how the


abnormal spinal
curvatures
differ from one
another

Scoliosis, Lordosis & Kyphosis


Scoliosis

a sideways
curvature of the
spine. These
curves are often Sor C-shaped.

Lordosis

inward curve of
the lumbar spine
(just above the
buttocks).

Kyphosis

outward curve of
the thoracic
spine (at the
level of the ribs)

Video!
http://www.spineuniverse.com/anat
omy/spinal-anatomy-animation

References
http://www.coloradospineinstitute
.com/subject.php?pn=anatomyspinalregions14
http://rebuildhealth.com/casestud
y2.html
http://www.spineuniverse.com/an
atomy/facet-joints-spine-anatomy
http://www.spineuniverse.com/an
atomy/spinal-anatomy-animation
A&P Textbook

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