Vertebral column: viva questions

 

Vertebral column: viva questions 

Definition:

The vertebral column, also known as the backbone or spine, is part of the axial skeleton which is formed by  a segmented series of bone: vertebrae separated by intervertebral discs

The vertebral column houses the spinal canal, a cavity that encloses and protects the spinal cord.

Number of vertebra form vertebral column: 33

Cervical vertebra : 7 , Thoracic vertebra : 12 , Lumbar vertebra : 5. Sacral vertebra: 5 , Coccygeal vertebra : 4

Function of vertebral column :

1.       It gives support to the trunk

2.       Provides articulation with ribs and pelvic bones

3.       Lodge and protects spinal cord

4.       Support and transmits body weight

Provides attachments of muscles and ligaments

Extension of the vertebral column:   From the skull to the apex of the coccyx

Content of vertebral canal:

From skull to lower border of the 1^st lumbar vertebra contain spinal cord , spinal meninges  and blood vessels

Below the lower border of 1^st lumbar vertebra : corda equina and filum terminalis (pia mater of meninges

 

Regions of vertebral column: it has four regions

Cervical region /Thoracic region/Lumbar region/Sacral region

Curvature of vertebra:

There are two types of curvature present in vertebral column  

 Primary curvature: the concavity  of curvature is directed forward.  Primary curvature is present in thoracic and sacral region 

Secondary curvature : the convexity of curvature is directed forward. Secondary curvature is present in cervical and lumbar region

 Parts of vertebra

Body and arch

Vertebral arches:

are formed by two pedicle, two lamina,

two superior articular process,

two inferior articular process,

 two transverse process and one spinal process 

Vertebral body :

It has six surfaces anterior , posterior , superior , inferior and two lateral surfaces .

two adjacent vertebral body is separated by intervertebral disc

Intervertebral foramen : when two vertebrae articulate with each other the inferior vertebral notch of the vertebra above together with the superior vertebral notch of the vertebra below form intervertebral foramen

It is situated below the pedicle

Content : trunk of spinal nerve & vessels   

Intervertebral disc :

It is formed by fibrocartilage. It forms secondary cartilaginous joint which limited movement

Parts : it has outer annulus fibrosus & inner nucleus pulposus

 Number:

There are 23 discs in the human spine:

6 in the cervical region (neck),

12 in the thoracic region (middle back),

5 in the lumbar region (lower back).

Function of intervertebral disc:

·         The intervertebral disc functions to separate the vertebrae from each other

It acts as  shock-absorber

 

What is corda equine ?

It is the bundle of nerve roots of lower lumbar, sacral and coccygeal spinal nerve