IV disk make up for 20-35% of tge length of the vertebral column

Resist shear, compression, tensile and torsional forces

Increase in size from the cervical to lumbar region

C1 and C2

Its superior longitudinal band attaches to the occipital bone and its inferior longitudinal band attaches to posterior portion of the axis

First to be damaged with excessive flexion

Limits anterior displacement of atlas

Flexed when stretched

Stretched across the ring of th atlas and divides the ring into a large posterior section for the spinal cord and a small anterior space for the dens

Short, stout pillars with thick walls

How many sacrum

Transmit the bending forces from the posterior elements to the vertebral body

Limits extension

Ligaments pass between the transverse processes and attach to the deep muscles of the back

Separates two vertebral bodies

Connects posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies from c2 to sacrum

Combined with all segments, forms a passage and protection for the spinal cord

Cylindrically shaped vertebral body

Neutral under constant tension when stretched

Has a thin layer of articular cartilage on its anterior surface for articulation with the dens

ALL compressed

Neutral position when stretched under constant tension

Ratio between the disc thickness abd vertebral body height determines the available motion

Kinematics of VC

Connects anterior and lateral surfaces of the vertebral bodies from the sacrum to 2nd cervical vertebrae

Flexed when stretched

Interbody joints

Serve as muscle attachments and provide mechanical lever

Pars interarticularis is most developed in what spine

Limits flexion

Resists compression forces to vertebral end plates and translates vertical compression forces into circumferential tensile forces in annulus fibrosus

compressed: neutral when the normal height of the disc is reduced

Interspinous ligament stretched

ALL stretched

Specific to the cervical region

Resists anterior sliding of the L5 and S1

Extension of the ligamentum flavum from C2 to occiput

Limits forward flexion

Limit rotation of the head to the same side and lateral flexion to the opposite side

Critical in maintaining stability at the C1/C2 segment

Lower lumbar region

Connects adjacent spinous process along with supraspinous lig.

Transmit forces to laminae

Opening bordered by the posterior vertebral body and the nerual arch

Any 2 adjacent vertebrae, intervening IV disk and all the soft tissues that secure them together

Subjected to bending forces that are transmitted from the vertically oriented lamina to the more horizontally oriented pedicles

Joints between the zygapophyseal facets located on the superior and inferior processes of one vertebra which articular with adjacent vertebra

70-90% water content depending on age and time of the day

Extended when stretched

Centrally posterior elements

Irregularly shaped vertebral/neural arch

Extended when stretched

Interspinous ligament compressed

Ligamentum flavum stretched

Lateral projections of bone that originate from the lamina

Posterior projection of bone that originates from the central portion of the lamina, dividing into two

PLL compressed

IV disc is composed of 3 parts

Extended when compresed

Supraspinous ligament compressed

PLL stretched

Consistent association of one motion about an axis with another motion around a different axis

Region of the lamina wherein force transfers occurs, located between the superior and inferior articular process

Annulos fibrosus

Resist compressive loads

Vertical plate that constitutes the central portion of the arch posterior to the pedicles

How many coccyx

Transmit the forces from the articulat, transverse and spinous process to the pedicle

Extended when compressed

Supraspinous ligament stretched

Ligamentum flavum compressed

Transmits compressive forces to vertebral end plates

Prevents anterior displacement of C1 and C2

Serve ad muscle attachment and provides mechanical lever; may also serve as a bony block to motion

60-70% water content depending on age and time of the day

Resist tensile, torsional, and shear forces

Fan shaped arrangement from the apex of the dens to the anterior margin of the foramen magnum of the skull

Help prevent distraction of C1 on C2

Held the smallest functional unit in the spine

Transver ligament and its longitudinal bands

Paired ligaments aris from the axis in either side of the dens and extend laterally and superiorly to attach to roughened areas on the medial sides of the occipital condyles and lateral masses of the atlas

C2 to occiput

Neural arch is divided into

Connects the axis and occipital bone of the skull

Portion of the neural arch that lie anterior to the articular processes on either side and serve as the connection between the posterior elements & vertebral bodies

Flexed when compressed

Nucleus pulposus

Alternately stretched and compressed during lateral flexion

Block of trabecular bone covered by a layer of cortical bone

Resist compression and transmit forces to laminae

Transmit load from one vertebral body to the next

Regions of VC

Connects adjacent spinous process

Dens would fracture before the ligament will tear

Connects the tips of spinous processes from c7 to l3 or l4

compressed: neutral when normal height of the disc is reduced

Extension of the ligaments from c2 to the occiput

how many vertebras and IV disks?

Between the vertebral bodies