Enquiry 3

Regional Anatomy

Workshop 9
Pre-workshop
1. Label diagrams of typical vertebra

2. Complete table 1 using the Insight Images N1, TH7 and AB11 at the
end of the Pre-workshop document

3. Primary and secondary curvatures - exaggerate the shape to show

the curvatures
Pre-workshop activity
Bony Landmarks of a Typical Vertebra
SUPERIOR VIEW Posterior
Spinous Process

Inferior Articular Process

Superior Articular Process
Lamina
Vertebral Transverse Process
Arch
Pedicle

Body

Anterior
Intervertebral Foramen
• Formed by vertebral notches of adjacent
vertebrae (i.e. need two bones in order to form)

• Creates passageway for spinal nerves

Superior vertebral notch

Inferior vertebral notch Intervertebral

foramen

Moore, Dalley & Agur, Fig 4.2 & 4.4 (modified)

N1

mandible

Larynx
Pharynx

Common carotid artery

IVD

Body of cervical
vertebra (C6) Pedicle
(part of) Spinal cord lamina
(white matter)
Spinous process (bifid)
TH7

LV

Oesophagus
Aorta

Body of T8 Intervertebral foramen

with associated soft tissue
of T8 spinal nerve
Spinal cord
Rib 9
Spinous L inf. art. process of T8
Erector Spinae lamina
process
 AB11

TC

Ileum
DC
AC

Intervertebral disc Ventral ramus of L3

(nucleus pulposus) spinal nerve
Intervertebral
Body of L4 foramen area
(part of)
Erector Spinae Post Inter. Spinous Pedicle of L4
Sup. art. (Facet) joint process L3
process L4
 Pre-workshop: Functions of Bony Landmarks
Posterior
• BODY – weight transmission, anterior
intervertebral joint (with IV disc)

• SPINOUS PROCESS – muscle & ligament

attachment

• TRANSVERSE PROCESS – muscle & ligament

attachment

• LAMINA – protection, forms vertebral arch

• PEDICLE – protection, forms vertebral arch

• ARTICULAR PROCESSES – superior and

inferior art. processes form posterior Anterior
intervertebral joints
 Anatomical Space – Vertebral Foramen
Posterior
• VERTEBRAL FORAMEN
• formed by:
• Anterior: Vertebral body
• Posterior: Lamina x 2
• Lateral: Pedicles x 2

• VERTEBRAL CANAL
• formed by vertebral foramina of Body
multiple vertebra
• Contains spinal cord
Anterior
Study manual, p. 136
PRINCIPLE A1: Anatomical space defined by boundaries & has
openings for communication with other regions of body
Workshop
1. Complete Table 1 of regional differences in the vertebral column

2. Additional specialisations in distal regions of VC (slides to follow)

3. Application activity
 CERVICAL VERTEBRAE

Superior view (anterior) Superior view (posterior)

• Body wide, small and oval shape

• bifid processes for small muscle attachment – projects posteriorly
• transverse foramina for vertebral arteries to travel through to the brain
• vertebral foramen large and triangular – cervical enlargement.

11
Cervical region - Posterior IV (facet) joint

Superior articular process facet orientation:

Superior & posterior (oblique) facing
Superior articular
facets
Oblique plane

Posterior view
Lateral view
 THORACIC
VERTEBRAE

Superior view Lateral view

• Heart-shaped body with two costal facets (dashed ovals)

• Facets on transverse processes to articulate with ribs (dashed ovals)
• sharply angled spinous processes project inferiorly limits flexion/extension
• circular vertebral foramen
Thoracic region - Posterior IV (facet) joint

Superior articular process facet orientation:

Posterior (coronal plane) facing
Superior articular
facets

Coronal
plane

Lateral view Superior view

 LUMBAR VERTEBRAE

Superior view Lateral view

• Big, kidney-shaped body due to increased amount of weight being transferred through
(compared to thoracic and cervical)
• chunky, hatchet-shaped spinous processes because large, chunky muscles attach
• Triangular vertebral foramen
• Thin and tapered transverse processes
Lumbar region - Posterior IV (facet) joint

Superior articular process facet orientation:

Medially (sagittal plane) facing
Superior articular
facets

Sagittal
plane

Lateral view Posterior view

 Sacrum and Coccyx
Fused bones

Form posterior component of pelvis

Assist with transfer of weight through to Anterior view Posterior view

lower limbs
S1

S2 Lateral
S3 sacral
S4 crest
S5 Medial
Sacral foramina sacral
crest

Marieb & Hoehn, Fig. 7.22

Joints and ligaments of vertebral column
 Anterior Intervertebral Joints

Anterior

Histological Classification:
Anterior intervertebral joint
Secondary cartilaginous

Function: Shock absorption

Fibrocartilaginous disc:

Annulus fibrosis
– strong collagen fibres

Nucleus pulposis Anterior Marieb & Hoehn, Fig 7.18 (a) & (c)
- gelatinous, compressible
Posterior Intervertebral Joints
Also known as facet joint
Anterior
Posterior
intervertebral joint

Location: between superior &

inferior articular processes

Histological classification:
Synovial

Functional classification:
Plane gliding joint

Function: Movement, dependent on

region of spine & facet orientation
Anterior
Marieb & Hoehn, Fig 7.18 (a) & (c)
 Ligaments of Intervertebral Joints
• Ligaments contribute to stability & Anterior
longitudinal
control mobility of intervertebral ligament
joints
Supraspinous
ligament Anterior
• Principal ligaments:

Posterior
• Anterior longitudinal ligament longitudinal
• - prevents hyperextension ligament

• Supraspinous ligament and posterior

longitudinal
• - prevents hyperflexion

Marieb & Hoehn, Fig 7.18 (a) & (c)