| Question | Answer |
| The thick, weight-bearing anterior part of the vertebra. | body |
| Where does the rotation of the head primarily occur? | between C1 and C2 |
| An abnormal or exaggerated thoracic "humpback" curvature. | kyphosis |
| The intevertebral foramina of the cervical vertebrae are situated at what angle? | 45° angle to the midsagittal plane and open anteriorly |
| What is the palpable bony landmark of the cervical column, where is it located and what is it's purpose? | spinous process of C7, base of the neck, used for radiographic positioning |
| A curve that is rounded inward or depressed (from a posterior perspective) of the vertebral column. | concave |
| Why is the anterior arch of C1, which lies in front of the dens, not clearly visible on an xray image? | it is a thin piece of bone compared with the larger, more dense den |
| The condition causing a "slipped disk" is correctly referred to what? | herniated nucleus pulposes (HNP) |
| What passes through the intervertebral foramina? | important spinal nerves and blood vessels |
| Where does the lamina end, from a lateral perspective? | at the spinous process |
| The joints located along a portion of the vertebral column and articulates with the ribs to the thoracic vertebra. | costal joints |
| What are the articulations/joints between C1 and the occupital condyles of the skull called? | atlantooccipital articulations |
| The zygapophyseal joints for the second through seventh cervicle verebrae are situated at what angle? | 90° or right angles to the midsagittal plane |
| How many total separate bones are found in newborn vertebral column? | 33 |
| What postition would be needed in order to "open up"and radiographically demonstrate the thoracic zygapophyseal joints? | an oblique 70-75° rotated position with a perpendicular central ray |
| How are the zygapophyseal joints of C3-C7 visualized radiographically? | true lateral projection |
| How are the zygapophyseal joints of C1-C2 visualized radiographically? | true AP projection |
| What assists the dens with rotation of the head? | superior articular processes that articulate with the skull |
| What is the soft, semigelatinous inner part of the intervertebral disk? | nucleus pulposus |
| What is found on each side, between any thoracic vertebrae, which are defined on the superior and inferior margins by the pedicles? | intervertebral foramina |
| What is the dens embryologically? | body of C1; fuses to C2 during development |
| The transverse processes of the typical cervical vertebrae arise from the pedicle-lamina junction. True/False | false, from the pedicle and the body |
| The joints found between the vertebral bodies. | intervertebral joints |
| Why is the relationship of C1 and C2 and the relationship of C1 tothe base of the skull clinically important? | injury this high in the spinal canal can result in serious paralysis and death |
| How many lumbar bones are found in the adult vertebral column? | 5 |
| From a lateral oblique perspective of the thoracic spine, what direction is the inferior articular processes facing? | more anterior |
| What is another term used to describe the second vertebra, C2? | axis |
| What is the distinquishing feature of C1? | it has no body but a thick arch of bone called the anterior arch which includes a small anterior tubercle |
| In the thoracic vertebrae, what angle do the zygapophyseal joints form? | 70-75° from the midsagittal plane |
| The two bony aspects of the vertebral arch that extend posteriorly from each pedicle to join at the midline | laminae |
| What foramina are created by two small notches on the superior and inferior aspects of the pedicles? | intervertebral |
| From a lateral perspective, the posterior extensions directly off the vertebral body and are located on each side. | pedicle |
| How many facets do the thoracic vertebrae have and where are they positioned? | one full facet or a partial facet on each side |
| Ribs 11 and 12 articulate only at the costotransverse joints. True/False | false, costovertebral joint |
| What is to the left and right of C1? | superior articular processes |
| Where are the two primary or posterior convex curves seen in the vertebral column? | thoracic, sacral |
| The lateral mass of C1 is the most bulky and solid part. What is it's purpose? | support the weight of the head and assist in rotation of the head |
| The articulation of a facet, located on a transverse process of the thoracic vertebra, with the tubercle of a rib. | costotransverse joint |
| What acts as a pivot for rotation of the head? | dens |
| The cervical vertebrae are all the same size. True/False | false, they continue to get larger progressing down to the seventh cervical vertebra |
| The joints located between the superior and inferior articular processes. | zygapophyseal joints |
| The two main parts of a typical vertebra are: | body, vertebral arch |
| Lordosis of the spine is always abnormal. True/False | false, only if exaggerated |
| Describe T1-T4 characteristics. | smaller, share features of the cervical vertebrae |
| The term used to describe the articulating surface. | facet |
| How many cervical vertebrae are in the vertebral column? | 7 |
| How is the spinous process of the thoracic region best viewed radiographically? | lateral projection |
| The articulations between C2 and C1, the zygapophyseal joints, and the relationship of the dens to C1 must be perfectly symmetric. What would render these areas asymmetric? | injury and improper positioning |
| What extends posteriorly from the vertebral body? | a ring or arch |
| Where is the function of the vertebral column? | provide a flexible supporting column for the trunk and head and also transmit the weight of the trunk and upper body to the lower limbs |
| The circular opening formed by the posterior surface of the body and the vertebral arch. | vertebral foramen |
| What is the purpose of the superior facet on the right and left superior articular processes of C1? | articulation with the respective right and left occipital condyles of the skull |
| The opening, or passageway, for the spinal cord. | vertebral canal |
| The opening formed by the alignment of the superior and inferior vertebral notches when the vertebraes are stacked. (4th aspect of vertebral column) | intervertebral foramen |
| Another term for two partial facets. | demifacets |
| What is the hole in each transverse process of the cervical vertebra called? | transverse foramen |
| How many articular processes are there? | 4 (2 superior, 2 inferior) |
| How many total separate bones are found in the adult vertebral column? | 26 |
| Which structures pass through the intervertebral foramina? | spinal nerves, blood vessels |
| Each facet or combination of two demifacets located on the thoracic vertebrae accepts the head of a rib to form what joint? | costovertebral |
| What does the spinal canal contain? | the spinal cord |
| What do the articular processes formulate? | important joints of the vertebral column |
| How is the spinous process of the thoracic region projected? | inferiorly |
| Where are the two secondary or compensating concave curves in the vertebral column? | cervical, lumbar |
| How many foramina are found in the cervical vertebrae? Name them. | 3, right and left transverse foramina and the single large vertebral foramen |
| What is the spinal canal filled with? | cerebrospinal fluid |
| What section of the vertebral column does C7 most resemble? | thoracic, spinous process is extra long and more horizontal than the other cervical vertebrae |
| What passes through the cervical transverse foramen? | vertebral artery and veins, and certain nerves |
| The cervical superior and inferior articular processes, located over and under the articular pillars, are directly lateral to what? | the large vertebral foramen |
| What is the vertebral column? | a complex succession of many bones called vertebrae |
| From a lateral perspective, where do the pedicles terminate? | area of the transverse process |
| The tapered ending of the spinal cord. | conus medullaris |
| What is the most distinctive feature of C2? | dens; odontoid process |
| How many thoracic vertebrae are in the vertebral column? | 12 |
| Which curves are more pronounced in women than men? | inferior curves, lumbar and sacral |
| What is another term used to describe the seventh vertebra, C7? | vertebra prominens |
| What does the vertebral canal do? | encloses and protects the spinal cord |
| What zygapophyseal joints of the cervical spine are visualized on a true AP projection? | C1-C2 |
| What holds the dens in place to C1? | transverse atlantal ligament |
| What replaces the two laminae and spinous process, found in typical vertebrae, on C1? | posterior arch that includes a small posterior tubercle |
| What type of stress might cause fracture of the dens? | forced flexion-hyperextension "whiplash" type of injury |
| How many joint types are in the vertebral column? | 3 |
| How many divisions are in the vertebral canal? | 5; cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccyx |
| Name the condition when the soft inner portion of the intervertebral disk, nucleus pulposes, protrudes through the outer fibrous layer, annulus fibrosus,of the intervertebral disk. | slipped disk |
| What are the unique characteristics of the cervical vertebrae? | transverse foramina, bifid spinous process tips, overlapping vertebral bodies |
| How many coccygeal segments or bones are found in the adult body? How many in the newborn body? | 1; 4 (avg) |
| Where are the intervertebral foramina located? | between every two vertebrae |
| Where is the vertebral column located? | midsagittal plane, forming the posterior or dorsal asapect of the bony trunk of the body |
| The downward extension of the spinal cord is located where? | lower L1 border |
| The half moon-shaped area located along the lower surface of each pedicle. (left/right) | inferior vertebral notch |
| How many sacral segments or bones are found in the adult body? How many in the infant body? | 1; 5 |
| How many thoracic bones are found in the adult vertebral column? | 12 |
| What is the large depressed surface of the left and right superior articular processes on C1 called? | superior facet |
| From a lateral oblique perspective of the thoracic spine, what direction is the superior articular processes facing? | primarily posterior |
| The articulation of a facet, located on the body of a thoracic vertebra, with the head of a rib. | costovertebral joint |
| How is the spinous process of the thoracic region projected radiographically on an AP, anteroposterior, projection? | superimposed on the body of the successive thoracic vertebra |
| A curve that is rounded outward or elevated from the surface (posterior perspective) of the vertebral column. | convex |
| Each set of facets on the transverse processes of T1-T10 that articulate with the tubercles of ribs 1-10 form what joint? | costotransverse |
| An abnormal, or exaggerated, "sway back" lumbar curvature. | lordosis |
| What extends posteriorly from either side of the vertebral body and forms most of the sides of the vertebral arch? (superior perspective) | pedicles |
| What is the third main part of a typical vertebra? | joints |
| The pedicles in the cervical column form what bounderies of the intervertebral foramina? | superior and inferior |
| What is another term used to describe the first vertebra, C1? | atlas |
| What is the tubelike opening formed by the sucession of vertebral formina as a result of stacked vertebrae? | vertebral canal |
| What compensatory curve develops when children learn to walk? | lumbar curvature |
| How can the intervertebral foramina of the cervical column be identified? | by the pedicles |
| What is the unique feature of all thoracic vertebrae that distinguishes them from other vertebrae? | facets for rib articulation |
| What is the outer fibrous portion of the intervertebral disk? | annulus fibrosus |
| The segments of bone between the superior and inferior articular processes of a typical vertebra. | articular pillars |
| What is the most common site for a lumbar puncture into the spinal canal to avoid striking the spinal cord? | level of L3-L4 |
| What is located within the intervertebral joints and are tightly bound to adjacent vertebral bodies for spinal stability but allow for flexibility and movement of the vertebral column? | intervertebral disks |
| What extends posteriorly from each pedicle to unite in the midline? (superior perspective) | lamina |
| The spinous processes of C2-C6 are fairly short and end in what? | double-pointed or bifid tip |
| What does the AP open mouth demonstrate? | C1 and C2 |
| Why are the superior and inferior surfaces of the body rough and flat? | attachment of the intervertebral disks |
| Where does the spinal cord begin? | medulla oblongata of the brain |
| The first 10 thoracic vertebrae have an additional set of facets located where? | on each side of the transverse process |
| The projection that extends laterally from approximately the junction of each pedicle and lamina. (superior perspective) | transverse process |
| What postition would be needed in order to radiographically demonstrate the thoracic intervertebral foramina? | true lateral, 90° projection will demonstrate the right and left superimposed on each other |
| As adjacent vertebrae are stacked vertically, openings in each vertebra line up to create what? | a tubelike vertical spinal canal |
| The half moon-shaped area located along the upper surface of each pedicle. (left/right) | superior vertebral notch |
| What is the purpose of the intervertebral disks? | provide a resilient cushion between the vertebrae and help absorb shock during movement of the spine |
| The segment of bone between the superior and inferior articular process of C1. | lateral mass |
| Typical adult vertebrae are separated by tough fibrocartilaginous disks between every two vertebra. True/False | false, not between C1 and C2 as C1 has no body |
| Which vertebrae are considered "typical" vertebrae? | C3-C6 |
| The openings of the intervertebral foramina on the thoracic vertebra are located at what angle? | 90° or right angles to the midsagittal plane |
| What happens when the soft inner portion of the intervertebral disk, nucleus pulposes, protrudes through the outer fibrous layer, annulus fibrosus,of the intervertebral disk? | it presses on the spinal cord and causes severe pain and numbness that radiates into the lower limbs |
| An abnormal or exaggerated lateral curvature seen in the thoracolumbar spine. | scoliosis |
| What zygapophyseal joints of the cervical spine are visualized on a true lateral projection? | C3-C7 |
| What vertebrae of the thoracic region are considered "typical" vertebrae? | T5-T8, least resemble cervical or lumbar vertebrae |
| Describe T9-T12 characteristics. | larger, share characteristics of the lumbar vertebrae |
| The projection that extends posteriorly at the midline junction of the two laminae and most posterior extension of the vertebrae. (superior perspective) | spinous process |
| From a lateral perspective, what continues posteriorly from the origin of the transverse process on each side? | two laminae |
| The zygapophyseal joints of all cervical vertebrae are visualized only in a true lateral position. True/False | false |
| How many cervical bones are found in the adult vertebral column? | 7 |
| What is the dens, or odontoid process? | a conical process that projects up from the superior surface of the vertebra body of C2 |
| Where was the term "atlas" for C1 derived from? | a Greek god who bore the world upon his shoulders |
| What are the two somewhat flat layers of bone that form the posterior part of the vertebral arch? (superior perspective) | laminae |
| How many intervertebral foramen (foramina) are located between every two vertebrae? | 2, one on each side |
| What compensatory curve forms as a child begins to raise their head and sit up? | cervical curvature |
