THE SPINE

TYPICAL VERTEBRAE

TYPICAL VERTEBRAE

TYPICAL VERTEBRAE
Intervertebral foramen

TYPICAL CERVICAL VERTEBRAE

ATYPICAL CERVICAL VERTEBRAE

Atlas (C1)

Large vertebral
foramen
Transverse
ligament

Anterior

Posterior

ATYPICAL CERVICAL VERTEBRAE

Axis (C2)

Odontoid process
or Dens

1. Anterior arch of
atlas
2. Dens
3. Body of axis
4. Posterior arch
of atlas
5. Pedicle
6. Lamina
7. Spinous process
8. Articular facets

TYPICAL THORACIC VERTEBRAE

Thoracic Spine

Lumbar Spine

Major Ligaments of the

Spine

Anterior
Longitudinal
Ligament - ALL
Dense band along
anterior and lateral
surface of the
vertebral bodies
from C2 to sacrum
Superficial - bridge
several vertebrae
Deep short, run from
V to V, blends with
fibers of anulus
fibrosus
Limits extension of V
column

Major Ligaments
Posterior
Longitudinal
Ligament
Runs along posterior
surface of vertebral
bodies (anterior to
spinal canal)
C2 to Sacrum
Short fibers attach
ligament to posterior
disc, reinforce disc
posteriorly

Limits flexion

Supraspinous Ligament

Ligaments
Ligamentum
Flavum
Connects lamina of
one to lamina of the
other
Found from axis to
sacrum
Limit flexion
Continuation to the
skull is called
Posterior AtlantoOccipital membrane

Atlantooccipital joint
Articulation between the
head and neck
i. Atlas (C1)
ii. Occipital bone

Acts as a hinge joint;

flexion and extension
No rotation at this joint

Arthordial or gliding-type joints

Composed of the synovial joint between superior and
inferior articulating surfaces

Atlantoaxial
Articulation between C1
and C2
a. pivot joint - rotation is
here
b. the dens or ondontoid
process fits into the inner,
anterior portion of the
vertebral foramen
with the help of the
transverse ligament.

Cartilaginous or synarthrodial joints

Intervertebral disks

i. nucleus pulposus - gel

ii. annulus fibrosus - covering

Shape and thickness varies

with location
Make up approximately
25% of the column length
Allow limited motion in all
three planes

Special Joints of Spine

Lumbo-Sacral

L5 and S1 (or sacrum)

Drastic change from lordotic to kyphotic curve
Strong shearing forces
The sacral segment is inclined anteriorly and
inferiorly forms an angel with the horizontal called
the lumbo-sacral angle

Angle can be increased significantly with an

increase in lumbar curve
During flexion/extension the greatest
mobility of the spine occurs between L5 and
S1

Lumbo-Sacral Jt.