1. Anatomic Overview of Spine Vertebral Column

2. Vertebral Column
Located in the midsagittal plane of the posterior cavity
Extends from the skull to the pelvis 2

3. Vertebral Column There are 33 bones in the adult vertebral column
7 Cervical
12 Thoracic
5 Lumbar
5 Sacral
4 Coccygeal

4. Vertebral Column At the inferior aspect of the column The sacrum
Sacrum has 5 fused bones
Coccyx is composed of 4 fused bones
The sacrum
Supports the rest of the vertebral column
Provides the support necessary for the human body’s erectness
The vertebrae
Are separated by radiolucent fibrocartilage intravertebral disks 4

5. Vertebral Column Flexibility The column
Limited motion between any two neighboring vertebrae
Vertebral column (in total) is capable of substantial motion, because it is very flexible
The column
Also protects the spinal cord
Provides points of attachment for the skull, thorax, and extremities 5

6. Vertebral Characteristics
Most vertebrae share several common characteristics:
They have a body that is attached to a posterior vertebral arch.
These two components border the vertebral foramen, the passage through which the spinal cord passes. 6

7. Vertebral Characteristics

8. Vertebral Characteristics
There are spinous and transverse processes that allow for muscle attachments.
The spinous process is posterior and forms where two laminae meet.
The transverse processes are lateral projections where a pedicle joins a lamina. 8

9. Vertebral Characteristics
The first two vertebrae, C1 and C2, are atypical from all others:
C1, the atlas:
Serves the specialized function of supporting the skull
Allows the skull to turn
The atlas has NO body
C2, the axis:
Has the dens or odontoid process that extends into the ring of the atlas
When the head turns from side to side, it pivots on this process 9

10. Vertebral Characteristics

11. Vertebral Curvature
The vertebral column has several curvatures that develop at different levels, which can be classified as either primary or secondary (compensatory) curvatures.
Primary curvature develops in utero as the fetus develops in the C-shaped fetal position and is present at birth.
Secondary curvature develops after birth as the child learns to sit up and walk. 11

12. Vertebral Curvature Cervical Curve
The cervical curve
Extends from the first cervical to the second thoracic vertebrae
Is convex anteriorly
Develops as the child learns to hold his or her head up and sits alone
Approximately 4 months of age
This is a secondary curvature.
(From Support and Movement. In Thibodeau GA, Patton KT, editors: Anatomy and physiology, ed 2, St Louis, 1993, Mosby.) 12

13. Vertebral Curvature Lumbar Curve
The lumbar curve
Runs from T12 to the anterior surface of L5
Is a convex forward curve
Develops when the child learns to walk
Approximately 1 year of age
This is a secondary curvature.
(From Support and Movement. In Thibodeau GA, Patton KT, editors: Anatomy and physiology, ed 2, St Louis, 1993, Mosby.) 13

14. Vertebral Curvature Thoracic Curve
The thoracic curve
Extends from T2 to T12
Is concave anteriorly
This is a primary curvature.
(From Support and Movement. In Thibodeau GA, Patton KT, editors: Anatomy and physiology, ed 2, St Louis, 1993, Mosby.) 14

15. Vertebral Curvature Pelvic Curve
The pelvic curve
Is concave anteriorly and inferiorly
Extends from the anterior surfaces of the sacrum and coccyx
This is a primary curvature.
(From Support and Movement. In Thibodeau GA, Patton KT, editors: Anatomy and physiology, ed 2, St Louis, 1993, Mosby.) 15

16. Vertebral Curvature Abnormal Curvatures
Three abnormal curvatures are also present both clinically and radiographically:
Kyphosis
Scoliosis
Lordosis 16

17. Vertebral Curvature Kyphosis
Kyphosis (Greek: kyphos, a hump) also called hunchback, hunchbackism, or hunchbackedness
Is an excessive curvature of the vertebral column that is convex posteriorly
In general terms, is a common condition of a curvature of the upper (thoracic) spine
Can be either the result of bad posture (slouching) or a structural, muscular abnormality in the spine 17

18. Vertebral Curvature Scoliosis
An abnormal lateral curve of the vertebral column
Excessive right or left curvature in the thoracic region
Can develop if only one side of the vertebral bodies are irradiated in pediatric patients 18

19. Vertebral Curvature Lordosis
Lordosis (commonly referred to as swayback, saddle back, or hyperlordosis)
Is an excessive convexity of the lumbar curve of the spine
Medical term used to describe an inward curvature of a portion of the vertebral column 19