Vertebral column anatomy pdf

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Weight of load. Shear Displace spinal column beyond its physiologic range :. Documents Similar To Anatomy of the Spine. Eryxs Persada. Armand Al Haraani. The first cervical C1 vertebra is also called the atlas , because this is the vertebra that supports the skull on top of the vertebral column in Greek mythology, Atlas was the god who supported the heavens on his shoulders. The C1 vertebra does not have a body or spinous process. Instead, it is ring-shaped, consisting of an anterior arch and a posterior arch.

The transverse processes of the atlas are longer and extend more laterally than do the transverse processes of any other cervical vertebrae. The superior articular processes face upward and are deeply curved for articulation with the occipital condyles on the base of the skull. The inferior articular processes are flat and face downward to join with the superior articular processes of the C2 vertebra.

The second cervical C2 vertebra is called the axis , because it serves as the axis for rotation when turning the head toward the right or left. The axis resembles typical cervical vertebrae in most respects, but is easily distinguished by the dens odontoid process , a bony projection that extends upward from the vertebral body. The dens joins with the inner aspect of the anterior arch of the atlas, where it is held in place by transverse ligament.

The bodies of the thoracic vertebrae are larger than those of cervical vertebrae Figure 7. The characteristic feature for a typical midthoracic vertebra is the spinous process, which is long and has a pronounced downward angle that causes it to overlap the next inferior vertebra.

The superior articular processes of thoracic vertebrae face anteriorly and the inferior processes face posteriorly. These orientations are important determinants for the type and range of movements available to the thoracic region of the vertebral column. Thoracic vertebrae have several additional articulation sites, each of which is called a facet , where a rib is attached. These are for articulation with the head end of a rib and are referred to as the superiorcostal facets and inferior costal facets.

An additional facet is located on the transverse process for articulation with the tubercle of a rib. Lumbar vertebrae carry the greatest amount of body weight and are thus characterized by the large size and thickness of the vertebral body Figure 7. They have short transverse processes and a short, blunt spinous process that projects posteriorly. The articular processes are large, with the superior process facing backward and the inferior facing forward.

The sacrum is a triangular-shaped bone that is thick and wide across its superior base where it is weight bearing and then tapers down to an inferior, non-weight bearing apex Figure 7. It is typically formed by the fusion of five sacral vertebrae, a process that does not begin until after the age of On the anterior surface of the older adult sacrum, the lines of vertebral fusion can be seen as four transverse ridges. Similarly, the fused transverse processes of the sacral vertebrae form the lateral sacral crest.

The sacral promontory is the anterior lip of the superior base of the sacrum. Lateral to this is the roughened auricular surface, which joins with the ilium portion of the hipbone to form the immobile sacroiliac joints of the pelvis. Passing inferiorly through the sacrum is a bony tunnel called the sacral canal , which terminates at the sacral hiatus near the inferior tip of the sacrum. Each of these openings is called a posterior dorsal sacral foramen or anterior ventral sacral foramen.

These openings allow for the anterior and posterior branches of the sacral spinal nerves to exit the sacrum. The superior articular process of the sacrum , one of which is found on either side of the superior opening of the sacral canal, articulates with the inferior articular processes from the L5 vertebra. The coccyx, or tailbone, is derived from the fusion of four or occassionally three or five very small coccygeal vertebrae see Figure 7.

It articulates with the inferior tip of the sacrum as a slightly moveable symphyseal joint. It is not weight bearing in the standing position, but may receive some body weight when sitting. The bodies of adjacent vertebrae are strongly anchored to each other by an intervertebral disc. This structure provides padding between the bones during weight bearing, and because it can change shape, also allows for movement between the vertebrae.

Although the total amount of movement available between any two adjacent vertebrae is small, when these movements are summed together along the entire length of the vertebral column, large body movements can be produced.

Ligaments that extend along the length of the vertebral column also contribute to its overall support and stability. An intervertebral disc is a fibrocartilaginous pad that fills the gap between adjacent vertebral bodies see Figure 7. Each disc is anchored to the bodies of its adjacent vertebrae, thus strongly uniting them. The discs also provide padding between vertebrae during weight bearing.

Because of this, intervertebral discs are thin in the cervical region and thickest in the lumbar region, which carries the most body weight.

In total, the intervertebral discs account for approximately 25 percent of your length from the top of the pelvis and the base of the skull. Intervertebral discs are also flexible and can change shape to allow for movements of the vertebral column.

Each intervertebral disc consists of two parts. The anulus fibrosus is the tough, fibrous outer layer of the disc. Inside is the nucleus pulposus , consisting of a softer, more gel-like material.

It has a high water content that serves to resist compression and thus is important for weight bearing. With increasing age, the water content of the nucleus pulposus gradually declines. This causes the disc to become thinner, decreasing total body height somewhat, and reduces the flexibility and range of motion of the disc, making bending more difficult. The gel-like nature of the nucleus pulposus also allows the intervertebral disc to change shape as one vertebra rocks side to side or forward and back in relation to its neighbors during movements of the vertebral column.

Thus, bending forward causes compression of the anterior portion of the disc but expansion of the posterior disc. Watch this second animation to see one possible treatment for a herniated disc, removing and replacing the damaged disc with an artificial one that allows for movement between the adjacent vertebrae. How could lifting a heavy object produce pain in a lower limb? Adjacent vertebrae are united by ligaments that run the length of the vertebral column along both its posterior and anterior aspects Figure 7.

These serve to resist excess forward or backward bending movements of the vertebral column, respectively. The anterior longitudinal ligament runs down the anterior side of the entire vertebral column, uniting the vertebral bodies. It serves to resist excess backward bending of the vertebral column.

Protection against this movement is particularly important in the neck, where extreme posterior bending of the head and neck can stretch or tear this ligament, resulting in a painful whiplash injury.

Prior to the mandatory installation of seat headrests, whiplash injuries were common for passengers involved in a rear-end automobile collision. The supraspinous ligament is located on the posterior side of the vertebral column, where it interconnects the spinous processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. This strong ligament supports the vertebral column during forward bending motions. The nuchal ligament is attached to the cervical spinous processes and extends upward and posteriorly to attach to the midline base of the skull, out to the external occipital protuberance.

It supports the skull and prevents it from falling forward. This ligament is much larger and stronger in four-legged animals such as cows, where the large skull hangs off the front end of the vertebral column.

You can easily feel this ligament by first extending your head backward and pressing down on the posterior midline of your neck. Then tilt your head forward and you will feel the nuchal ligament popping out as it tightens to limit anterior bending of the head and neck. Additional ligaments are located inside the vertebral canal, next to the spinal cord, along the length of the vertebral column.

The posterior longitudinal ligament is found anterior to the spinal cord, where it is attached to the posterior sides of the vertebral bodies. This consists of a series of short, paired ligaments, each of which interconnects the lamina regions of adjacent vertebrae. The ligamentum flavum has large numbers of elastic fibers, which have a yellowish color, allowing it to stretch and then pull back.

Both of these ligaments provide important support for the vertebral column when bending forward. Use this tool to identify the bones, intervertebral discs, and ligaments of the vertebral column. The thickest portions of the anterior longitudinal ligament and the supraspinous ligament are found in which regions of the vertebral column? Chiropractors are health professionals who use nonsurgical techniques to help patients with musculoskeletal system problems that involve the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, or nervous system.

They treat problems such as neck pain, back pain, joint pain, or headaches. If needed, they will refer the patient to other medical specialists. Chiropractors use a drug-free, hands-on approach for patient diagnosis and treatment.

They can recommend therapeutic or rehabilitative exercises, and some also include acupuncture, massage therapy, or ultrasound as part of the treatment program. In addition to those in general practice, some chiropractors specialize in sport injuries, neurology, orthopaedics, pediatrics, nutrition, internal disorders, or diagnostic imaging. To become a chiropractor, students must have 3—4 years of undergraduate education, attend an accredited, four-year Doctor of Chiropractic D.

With the aging of the baby-boom generation, employment for chiropractors is expected to increase. The vertebral column forms the neck and back. The vertebral column originally develops as 33 vertebrae, but is eventually reduced to 24 vertebrae, plus the sacrum and coccyx. The vertebrae are divided into the cervical region C1—C7 vertebrae , the thoracic region T1—T12 vertebrae , and the lumbar region L1—L5 vertebrae. The sacrum arises from the fusion of five sacral vertebrae and the coccyx from the fusion of four small coccygeal vertebrae.

The vertebral column has four curvatures, the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacrococcygeal curves. The thoracic and sacrococcygeal curves are primary curves retained from the original fetal curvature. The cervical and lumbar curves develop after birth and thus are secondary curves. The cervical curve develops as the infant begins to hold up the head, and the lumbar curve appears with standing and walking.

Gundry, MD. Permission to Dream Chris Gardner. Single On Purpose: Redefine Everything. Find Yourself First. John Kim. Anatomy of vertebral column 1. Supports the head.

Help maintain balance in the upright position. Enclose and protect the spinal cord. Permits movement move forward, backward, sideways, and rotate. Absorbs shocks during walking. Serve as a point of attachment for the ribs, pelvic girdle and muscles of the back and upper limbs.

Binds the vertebrae and forms a strong joint 2. Permits various movements of the vertebral column 3. Absorbs vertical shock and avoid friction during intervertebral joints movements. Turning the spine to the side right or left ; the neck turns toward the shoulder. Sudeep Kavungal Jan. Manoj Manoj Jan. Simon Jan. Richa Jan. Muskan Goyal Jan.