Vertebral Column
D.Rania Gabr
D.Sama
D.Elsherbiny
Objectives
• Know the organization of the vertebrae and
normal curvatures in the vertebral column.
• Identify the characteristic features of cervical,
thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.
• Identify the parts of Sacrum.
• Differentiate between cervical, thoracic and
lumbar vertebrae.
• Explain the attachment of ligaments to the
vertebral column.
Vertebral Column
• General structure of vertebra :
Body
Pedicle
Lamina
Spine
Transverse process
Vertebral foramen
Vertebral notch
Superior articulating process
Inferior articulating process
Cervical Vertebrae
Number: 7 vertebrae (C1-C7)
Identified by the presence of foramen in
the transverse process.
C1 is known as "atlas" and supports the
head.
C2 is known as "axis"
Typical vertebrae (C3-C6) possess small
bifid spinous processes
Small bodies
Ligaments of the Spine
•
•
•
•
Tectorial membrane
Interspinous ligaments
Supraspinous ligament
Ligamentum flavum
Atlanto axial Joint
• Articulation: Between
dens and anterior arch
of atlas.
• Type: synovial pivot.
• Ligaments:
1. alar ligament
2. cruciate ligament
Atlanto-occipital Joint
• Articulation: Between
Two superior facets of
atlas articulate with
occipital condyles of the
skull
• Type: synovial condyloid.
• Ligaments:
1.
2.
3.
Ant. Atlanto-Occipital,
Tectorial Membrane,
Post. A-O
Thoracic vertebrae
Number: 12 vertebrae (T1-T12)
Identified by the presence of costal facets for articulation
with the heads of ribs
Body is intermediate in size between the cervical and lumbar
vertebrae.
Lumbar vertebrae
Numbar: 5 vertebrae (L1-L5)
Have a large body
Don't have costal facets nor transverse process
foramina
Sacral vertebrae
• Sacral: 5 fused vertebrae (S1-S5) forming the sacrum
• Coccygeal: 4 fused vertebrae forming the coccyx. It is
called the Tailbone.
Ligaments of the Spine
•
•
•
•
•
Anterior longitudinal
Posterior longitudinal
Supraspinous
Interspinous
Ligamentum flavum
CURVES OF THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Therefore, there are 4 curves: 2 primary and 2
secondary. From above downward:
1. The Cervical Curve:
Is a secondary curve that appears after birth.
Is convex forward.
It appears at the 3rd month when the child raises
his head.
2. The Thoracic Curve:
Is a primary curve (kyphotic curve) that appears at
birth.
Is concave forward.
3. The Lumbar Curve:
Is a secondary curve (lordotic curve ) that appears
after birth.
Is convex forward and is more marked in the female
than in the male.
It appears at the 9th-18th month when the child sits
upright and begins to walk.
4. The Pelvic (Sacral) Curve:
Is a primary curve that appears at birth.
Is concave forward.
Abnormal curvatures:
1. Kyphosis:
Is an exaggerated kyphotic (posterior) curvature in the thoracic
region.
It is commonly observed in osteoporosis.
2. Lordosis:
Is an exaggerated lordotic (anterior) curvature of the lumbar region.
Temporary lordosis is common in pregnant women.
3. Scoliosis:
Is lateral curvature of the vertebral column.
It is more common among females
May result from unequal growth of the two sides of 1 or more vertebrae.
INTERVERTEBRAL DISC
Position: between the vertebral bodies and are
fused with them.
Structure: consists of 2 parts:
1. An outer fibrous ring: annulus fibrosus formed
of crisscrossed, tight collagen fibers connecting
the adjacent vertebrae
2. Spongy center: nucleus pulposus in the middle.
It is consists of 80% water
Function: Shock absorber.
Aging: aging process:
1. Decrease in water content.
2. Disc becomes thinner.
3. The intervertebral disc becomes less elastic.
4. Bone-on-bone frictions.