Radiographic Anatomy
Skeletal System
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Educational Objectives
By the end of this lecture you should be able to:

Identify the anatomical parts of the vertebral column on
diagrams and radiographs.

Identify the different parts of a typical vertebra

Differentiate between normal & abnormal spine curvatures

Explain how to hang spine radiographs on the view box
State and locate the surface land marks associated with the
vertebral column levels.

References
1. Text book of radiographic positioning and related anatomy; by
Kenneth L.Bontrager,6th edition.
2. Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology: by Eldra
Pearl Solomon:W.B.Saunders Company
3. Handbook of Anatomy and physiology for Students of Medical
Radiation Technology: Mallett.M:Jaspar
Websites
http://www6.district125.k12.il.us/science/anatomy/
http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html
http://www.e-radiography.net/
http://www.getbodysmart.com/index.htm
4
VERTEBRAL COLUMN

33 vertebrae:
7
12
5
5
4
cervical
thoracic
lumber
sacral (fused)
coccygeal (fused)
Function
Provides support for head, neck
and trunk
Transfers weight to Appendicular
skeleton
Protects spinal cord
5
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Term
Description
Lordosis Normal compensatory concave
curvature of Cervical & Lumber spines,
or
Abnormal exaggerated Lumber
curvature with increased concavity
Kyphosis Abnormal exaggerated Thoracic
curvature with increased concavity
Scoliosis Abnormal lateral curvature
Normal adult curvature
6
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Scoliosis
7
Kyphosis - Lordosis
Normal curvature
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Typical Vertebra
(1) Body:
(2) Arch: 2 pedicles (lat)+ 2 Laminae (post)
 Pedicle + Lamina
 Lamina + Lamina
 Transverse process
 Spinous process
(3): Intervertebral Foramina:
 Superior + Inferior vertebral notch
 31 spinal nerves (8C+12T+5L+5S+1co)
(4) Intervertebral Joints:
(5) Intervertebral Disc: Serve for shock absorption
and contribute to the flexbility
of the spine.
 Annulus fibrosus + Nucleus pulposus
8
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Cervical spine
Anterior
9
Posterior
Lateral
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Cervical spine (Typical)
(1): Transverse process:
 Foramen(vertebral a.)
(2): Spinous processes:
 Short and bifid
(C2-C6)
(3): Intervertebral canal:
 Triangle
(4): Body:
 Small
10
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Cervical spine The Atlas – C1
• No body (fused with
CV2 to form the dens)
• Large lateral mass
• Articular facets
• Anterior arch
•Spinous process absent
•Modified functions:
-Support trhe skull
-Allow nodding of the head
11
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Cervical spine
Superior View
12
The Axis– C2 : the body has upward projection to articulate
with CV1. Allow rotation of the atlas from side to side.
Inferior view
Lateral View
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Cervical spine
13
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Cervical spine C.7
Spinous process:
1. Long
2. Easily felt
3. Not bifid
Transverse process:
Foramen is small or absent
( only the vertebral vein pass)
14
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Thoracic spine (Typical)
Superior View
15
Inferior view
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Thoracic spine: body bigger (heart shaped, vertebral foramen larger)
Articular facet on the body for (ribs)
T1:
Complete facet superior
Demi-facet inferior
T2 - T10:
Demi-facet on superior and inferior
T11 – T12:
Single complete facet at midlevel
Articular facet on transverse process
Spinous process: long, downward
16
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Thoracic spine
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Lumbar spine
• Bigger body than the thoracic.
• Transverse processes:
Upper 4:
increase in size from above downward
Fifth: shorter , stronger, pyramidal
• Spinous process: square, horizontal
•NB: The spinal cord end at the lower
border of the first lumber vertebra.
•The 4th lumber vertebra is opposite the
highest part of the iliac crest.
ANTERIOR
LATERAL
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Lumbar spine
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Lumbar spine
AP
Lateral
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Sacrum
5 fused vertebrae , Triangle in shape, Concave Anteriorly
AP
Lateral
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Sacrum: 5 piece fused together ,the side of the first piece form the ala of the sacrum which articulate with the ilium
to form the sacro-iliac joint. Sometimes the 5th LV. Fuse either partially or completely with the sacrum
(sacralisation). Incomplete development of the spine and lamina may result in absence of the posterior wall
(spina bifida)
Central mass (fused body)
Sacral promontory (superior- anterior border)
4 Sacral foramina
The ala (upper anterior surface)
Sacral crest:
fused spinous processes (posterior)
AP
Transverse process: rudimentary
Lateral
Lateral articular surface: sacroiliac joint
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Sacrum and pelvis
AP
Lateral
VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Coccyx
•4 (3-5) fused vertebrae with Different shape and size
•Articulate at acute angle with sacrum
AP
Lateral
VERTEBRAL LEVELS
Landmark
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Mastoid process (skull)
Thyroid cartilage
Vertebral prominence
Suprasternal notch
Sternal angle (2 inch below notch)
Inferior angle of the scapula
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Xyphoid process
Inferior costal margin
Iliac crest
Anterior superior iliac spine
Greater trochanter
Symphysis public
Corresponding Level
Cervical 1
Cervical 5
Cervical 7
Thoracic 2-3
Thoracic 4-5
Thoracic 7 (3 – 4 inches below
jugular notch)
Thoracic 9-10
Lumber 2-3
Lumber 4-5
Sacral 1-2
Distal coccyx
2.5 cm inferior to distal coccyx
THANK YOU