Vertebral

column
Snell
Seventh edition
P 924-935
Basic anatomy

33 Vertebrae
Flexible structure
Inter-vertebral disc
Form1/4 of its length

12

5
4

Curvature of vertebral column

Thoracic and sacral (primary)
Concave anterior. Develop during fetal period,
deference between ant and post Thickness of
the vertebra.
Cervical and lumbar :
Concave posterior, develop during the fetal
period, due to deference in IV disc thickness
- Cervical - infant hold head
- Lumber - infant walk and assume upright
position, prominent in female.

C1-7
Vert.
prominence

T1-12

L1-5

S1-5

Abnormal Vertebral
column curvature
Kyphosis:
abnormal increase in thoracic curv.
Erosion of anterior vertebral part.

Lordosis:
(hollow back) anterior rotation of pelvis
abnormal increase in lumber curvature
(pregnancy)

Scoliosis:
(Crooked or curved back) abnormal lateral
curvature and rotation of the back
(appears between ages of 10-15)

General Structure of Typical

Vertebrae

Body or centrum disc-shaped, weightbearing region

Vertebral arch composed of pedicles and
laminae that along with the centrum,
encloses the vertebral foramen
Vertebral foramina make up the vertebral
canal through which the spinal cord passes

Typical Thoracic vertebra

General Structure of typical

Vertebrae

Spinous process project posterior and

usually downward.
Transverse processes project laterally
Superior and inferior articular processes
protrude superiorly and inferiorly from the
pedicle-lamina junctions
Inter-vertebral foramina lateral openings
formed from notched areas on the superior
and inferior borders of adjacent pedicles

Cervical Vertebrae
Seven vertebrae (C1-C7) are the smallest & lightest
vertebrae
C3-C7 are distinguished with an oval body, long
spinous processes, and large, triangular vertebral
foramina
Each transverse process contains a transverse
foramen.
Superior and inferior articular facets are oriented
sup. and inf.

Cervical
Vertebrae:

Atypical Cervical Vertebrae: The Atlas (C1)

The atlas
Has no body and no spinous process
Consists of anterior and posterior arches, and two
lateral masses
The superior and inferior surface of lateral masses
has articular surfaces to articulate with the occipital
condyles and with the axis

The Atlas (C1), Superior View

inferior view

Atypical Cervical Vertebrae:

The Axis (C2)
The axis has a body, spine, and vertebral arches as do other cervical vertebrae
Unique to the axis is the dens, or odontoid process, which projects superiorly from the body and is attached to the anterior surface of the arch of the atlas.
The dens is a pivot for the rotation of the atlas

The Axis (C2)

Pivot Joint

Projection of bone 1 articulates within ring of

bone 2
Movements: Rotation Around one Axes

Thoracic Vertebrae
There are twelve vertebrae (T 1-T12) all of which
articulate with ribs.
Major markings include two demi-facets on the
heart-shaped body for the head of the rib.
Circular vertebral foramen, transverse processes
with articular costal facets for the rib tubercles.
Long biffed spinous process that is inclined
downward.
The location of the articulate facets prevent flexion
and extension, but allow rotation of this area of the
spine.
Superior articular processes are oriented backward
and laterally.

Thoracic Vertebrae

thoracic vertebra
Superior Aspect

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Spinous process.
Lamina.
Transverse process.
Superior articular process.
Body
Pedicle.

Thoracic vertebra
Inferior Aspect

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Pedicle.
Lamina.
Body (heart Shape).
Inferior articular process.
Transverse process.
Spinous process.

Lumbar Vertebrae
The five lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5) are located in the small
region of the back and have an enhanced weight-bearing
function.
Body is large and kidney-shaped.
They have short, thick pedicles and lamina.
Flat hatchet-shaped spinous processes.
Triangular-shaped vertebral foramen.
Orientation of the sup. articular facets face medially to
lock the lumbar vertebrae together to provide stability

Lumbar Vertebrae

Lumbar vertebra

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Pedicle
Transverse process.
Articular process.
Spinous process.
Lamina.
Transverse process.
Vertebral foramina.
Body

Lumber Vertebra
Lateral Aspect

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Spinous process.
Superior articular
process.
Transverse process.
Pedicle
Body
Inferior articular
process.

Vertebral characteristics

Inter-Vertebral Joints

Vertebral Column: Intervertebral Discs

Cushion-like pad composed of two parts

Nucleus pulposus inner gelatinous nucleus
that gives the disc is elasticity and
compressibility
Annulus fibrosus surrounds the nucleus
pulposus with a collar composed of collagen
and Fibro cartilage.

Movements

Atlanto-occipital joints and ligaments

Often considered to be a hinge joint because of its primary
uniaxial range of movement (as in shaking your head yes),
the atlanto-occipital joints occur between the reciprocally
curved surfaces of the two occipital condyles and the
articular facets on the lateral masses of the atlas.
While the primary axis of movement is the nodding
movements of flexion and extension of the head in the
anteroposterior plane, a small amount of side to side
bending (lateral flexion), and rotation is possible at this joint
surface.
The primary ligaments of the joint are the fibrous membrane
of the joint capsule, the anterior atlanto-occipital membrane,
and the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane.

Sacrum and Coccyx

The sacrum
Consists of five fused vertebrae (S 1-S5),
which shape the posterior wall of the pelvis
It articulates with L5 superiorly, and with
the auricular surfaces of the hip bones
Major markings include the sacral
promontory, transverse lines, alae, dorsal
sacral foramina, sacral canal, and sacral
hiatus

Sacrum and Coccyx

Sacrum and Coccyx

The Coccyx
Coccyx (Tailbone)
The coccyx is made up of four (in some
cases three to five) fused vertebrae
that articulate superiorly with the
sacrum

S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
Coccyx

1
2
3
4

Disc Problems
Slipped disc vs. herniated disc
Most common sites for disc problems:
C5 - C6
L4 - L5
L5 - S1
Lumbago
Laminectomy ( IS a surgical removal
vertebral arch by shaving laminae to
access disc)

Vertebral Body Fracture

Osteoporosis after
the fracture

Lumber L3
Fracture

Bony Thorax (Thoracic Cage)

The thoracic cage is composed of the thoracic
vertebrae dorsally, the ribs laterally, and the
sternum and costal cartilages anteriorly
Functions
Forms a protective cage around the heart, lungs, and
great blood vessels
Supports the shoulder girdles and upper limbs
Provides attachment for many neck, back, chest, and
shoulder muscles
Uses intercostal muscles to lift and depress the thorax
during breathing

Bony Thorax (Thoracic Cage)

Sternum (Breastbone)
A dagger-shaped, flat bone that lies in the
anterior midline of the thorax
Results from the fusion of three bones the
superior manubrium, the body, and the
inferior xiphoid process
Anatomical landmarks include the jugular
(suprasternal) notch, the sternal angle, and
the xiphisternal joint

Sternum

Structure of a Typical True Rib

Bowed, flat bone consisting of a head, neck, tubercle, and shaft