Scribd
Upload
2K views

Biomechanics of The Vertebral Column

The vertebral column consists of 33 vertebral segments divided into 5 regions. It establishes the body's longitudinal axis and protects the spinal cord. The vertebrae form anterior-posterior curves that provide 10 times more strength than a straight rod. Cervical vertebrae are the smallest and most mobile. Thoracic vertebrae attach to ribs. Lumbar vertebrae have massive bodies to support weight. The sacrum transmits weight to the pelvis. Ligaments and intervertebral discs support and connect vertebrae. Muscles in each region flex, extend, and laterally flex the spine.

Uploaded by

Vijay Pradeep
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2K views

Biomechanics of The Vertebral Column

The vertebral column consists of 33 vertebral segments divided into 5 regions. It establishes the body's longitudinal axis and protects the spinal cord. The vertebrae form anterior-posterior curves that provide 10 times more strength than a straight rod. Cervical vertebrae are the smallest and most mobile. Thoracic vertebrae attach to ribs. Lumbar vertebrae have massive bodies to support weight. The sacrum transmits weight to the pelvis. Ligaments and intervertebral discs support and connect vertebrae. Muscles in each region flex, extend, and laterally flex the spine.

Uploaded by

Vijay Pradeep
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 44

BIOMECHANIC

S OF
VERTEBRAL
COLUMN
Axial skeleton
INTRODUCTION
The vertebral (spinal) column consists of the
entire set of vertebrae.
The vertebral column usually consists of 33
vertebral bony segments divided into five
regions.
Normally there are seven cervical, twelve
thoracic, five lumbar, five sacral, and four
coccygeal segments.
The sacral and coccygeal vertebrae are usually
fused in the adult, forming individual sacral and
coccygeal bones.
The vertebral column establishes and
maintains the longitudinal axis of the body.
In addition to providing vertical stability
throughout the trunk and neck, the vertebral
column protects the spinal cord, ventral and
dorsal nerve roots, and exiting spinal nerve
roots.
The vertebrae are arranged in such a way as to
form anterior-posterior (concave-convex)
curves in the vertebral column, which can be
seen from the side.
These curves provide the vertebral column with
much more strength and resilience,
approximately 10 times more than if it were a
straight rod.
SPINAL
CURVATURES
An illustration
showing the
line of gravity
passing
through the
body of a
person
standing with
ideal posture.
CERVICAL VERTEBRAE
The cervical vertebrae are the smallest and most
mobile of all movable vertebrae.
The high degree of mobility is essential to the large
range of motion required by the head.
Perhaps the most unique anatomic feature of the
cervical vertebrae is the presence of transverse
foramina located within the transverse processes.
The important vertebral artery ascends through
this foramen, coursing toward the foramen
magnum to transport blood to the brain and
spinal cord.
The third through the sixth cervical
vertebrae show nearly identical
features and are therefore
considered typical of this region.
The upper two cervical vertebrae, the
atlas (C1) and the axis (C2), and the
seventh cervical vertebra (C7) are
atypical.
CERVICAL
VERTEBRAE –
anterior view
THORACIC VERTEBRAE
There are 12 thoracic vertebrae.
The second through the ninth thoracic vertebrae
usually demonstrate similar features and
considered as typical thoracic vertebrae.
Where as the first and usually last three thoracic
vertebrae are considered atypical mainly because
of the particular manner of rib attachment.
T1 has a full costal facet superiorly that accepts
the entire head of the first rib, and a demifacet
inferiorly that accepts part of the head of the
second rib.
The spinous process of T1 is especially
elongated and often as prominent as the
spinous process of C7.
Although variable, the bodies of T10
through T12 may have a single, full costal
facet for articulation with the heads of the
tenth, eleventh, and twelfth ribs,
respectively.
T10 to T12 usually lack costotransverse
joints.
LUMBAR VERTEBRAE
Lumbar vertebrae have massive wide
bodies, suitable for supporting the
entire superimposed weight of the
head, trunk, and arms.
The total mass of the five lumbar
vertebrae is approximately twice that
of all seven cervical vertebrae.
SACRUM
The sacrum is a triangular bone with its base
facing superiorly and apex inferiorly.
An important function of the sacrum is to
transmit the weight of the vertebral column to
the pelvis.
In childhood, each of five separate sacral
vertebrae is joined by a cartilaginous
membrane.
By adulthood, however, the sacrum has fused
into a single bone, which still retains some
anatomic features of generic vertebrae.
ARTICULATIONS
LIGAMENTS
The vertebral column is supported by
an extensive set of ligaments.
Spinal ligaments limit motion, help
maintain natural spinal curvatures,
and, by stabilizing the spine, protect
the delicate spinal cord and spinal
nerve roots.
INTERVERTEBRAL DISC
Between each vertebra is an
intervertebral disk
articulates with adjacent
bodies.
There are 23 disks. Their main
function is to absorb and
transmit shock and maintain
flexibility of the vertebral
column.
The disks make up approximately
25 percent of the total length
of the vertebral column.
Annulus fibrosus
The outer portion of the disk consisting of
several concentrically arranged
fibrocartilaginous rings that serve to
contain the nucleus pulposus.
Nucleus pulposus
Pulpy gelatinous substance with a high
water content in the center of the disk.
At birth, it is approximately 80 percent
water, decreasing to less than 70 percent
at 60 years of age.
This is partially why an individual loses
height with advanced age.
Terminology describing movement
Muscles – cervical region
Posterior (extensors) Lateral (lateral flexors) Anterior (flexors)
Trapezius Scalene (anterior, middle & posterior) Longus capitis
Levator scapulae Sternocleidomastoid Longus colli
Splenius capitis Rectus capitis anterior
Splenius cervicis Rectus capitis lateralis
Semispinalis capitis
Semispinalis cervicis
Longissimus capitis
Longissimus cervicis
Rectus capitis posterior
minor
Rectus capitis posterior major

Inferior oblique
Superior oblique
Muscles – lower thoracic &
lumbarpelvic region
Posterior (extensors) Lateral ( lateral flexors ) Anterior (flexors)

THORACO LUMBAR FASCIA Quadratus lumborum Rectus abdominis

Latissimus dorsi External oblique

Gluteus maximus Internal oblique

Internal and external Transversus abdominis


abdominal oblique

Transversus abdominis Psoas major

ERECTOR SPINAE

Longissimus thoracis

Iliocostalis lumborum

Multifidus
Thank you

You might also like