Anatomy Of

VERTEBRAL COLUMN
• The vertebral column also called as spine
spinal column or backbone
• Composed of series of bones called
vertebrae (singular is vertebra)

• About 71cm( in adult males)

• About 61cm(in adult females)
• Total number of vertebrae during

• As a child grows, several

vertebrae in the sacral and
coccygeal regions fuse

(secrum and
coccyx bones become
fused)
• 7 cervical vertebrae
• 12 thoracic vertebrae
• 5 lumber vertebrea
• 1 sacrum (5 fused)
• 1 coccyx(4 fused)
• The cervical,thoracic and
lumber vertebrae
• Secrum and coccyx

• Between adjacent
vertebrae from the second
cervical to secrum are
1. Cervical vertebrae(C1-C7)
• Formed framework of neck region
• Support skull
• Small in size
• presense foramen in each transverse process

2. Thoracic vertebrae(T1-T12)
• Formed posterior part of thoracic cage
• Articulates with associated ribs
3.Lumber vertebrae (L1-L5)
• Formed skeletal support for posterior abdominal wall
• Characterized by large in size

4. Sacrum vertebrae
• Fusion of 5 sacral bones
• immovable
• Formed posterior wall of lower abdominal and pelvic
cavity

5. Coccyx
• fussion of 4 coccyx bones
• immovable
• Formed part of pelvic cavity
• Supports the head
• Help maintain balance in
upright position
• Enclose and protect the spinal
cord
• Permits movement
• Absorbs shocks during
walking
• Serve as a point of attachment
for the ribs,pelvic girdle and
muscles of the back and upper
limb
1. In the fetus,there is a single
concave curve
2. At 3 months after birth when
baby lifts head as it begins to
crawl the curvical curve
develops
3. When child sits up,stands
and walks the lumber curve
develops
4.The thoracic and sacral curves are called primary
curves because they form first during fetal development

5. The cervical and lumber curves are called

secondary curves because they form later, several
months after birth

6. All curve fully develop by age 10

7. However,secondary curves may be progressively lost

in old age
• New born spinal curvature:
Ø C- shaped curve
Ø Known as primary curve
Ø Single curve

• Adult spinal curvature:

Ø S-shaped vertebral column
Ø Four curve(cervical,thoracic,lumber and sacral curve)
Ø Secondary curve develop after birth
 Basic Anatomy Of Vertebrae
• Vertebral Body:
. Large, cylindrical anterior portion of the vertebra.

. Bears the majority of the weight and provides support to the spine.
• Vertebral Arch:
. Bony arch extending posteriorly from the vertebral body.
. Comprised of pedicles and laminae.
• Spinous Process:
. Bony projection extending posteriorly from the midline of the vertebral arch.
. Attachment point for muscles and ligaments.
• Transverse Processes
. Bony projections extending laterally from each side of the vertebral arch.
. Attachment points for muscles and ligaments.
• Articular Processes:
. Project superiorly and inferiorly from the vertebral arch.
. Form joints with adjacent vertebrae, contributing to spinal stability.
• Vertebral Foramen:
. Central opening formed by the vertebral body and arch.
. Creates the vertebral canal, housing and protecting the spinal cord.
• Intervertebral Foramina:
. Openings on each side of the vertebral column.
. Allow spinal nerves to exit, branching out to various parts of the body.
• Facet Joints:
. Formed by articulation of superior and inferior articular processes.
. Contribute to the flexibility and range of motion of the spine.
• Intervertebral Discs:
. Fibrocartilaginous structures between adjacent vertebral bodies.
. Act as shock absorbers, providing cushioning and flexibility.
• Nerve Roots and Spinal Cord:
. Spinal cord runs through the vertebral canal.
v Cervical Vertebrae
v Thoracic Vertebrae
v Lumbar Vertebrae
v Sacral and Coccygeal Regions
•
form the neck region of the vertebral column (C1-C7).
1.Atlas (C1):
The first cervical vertebra.
Lacks a vertebral body and has a ring-like structure.
Articulates with the skull, allowing nodding movements (up and down).
2.Axis (C2):
The second cervical vertebra.
Has a unique odontoid process (dens) projecting upward.
Forms a pivot joint with the atlas, allowing rotation of the head (side to side)
3.General Characteristics of Cervical Vertebrae:
Small and light.
Triangular vertebral foramen.
Short and bifid spinous processes (except for C7).
4. Transverse Foramina:
Unique to cervical vertebrae (C1-C6).
Openings in the transverse processes,
transmitting the vertebral arteries.
Facet Joints:
Well-developed facet joints for flexibility.
Articular surfaces enable a wide range of motion.
Intervertebral Discs:
Present between adjacent cervical vertebrae.
Provide cushioning and flexibility.
Nerve Roots and Spinal Cord:
Nerve roots from the cervical region control
movements and sensation in the neck and upper limbs.
The spinal cord runs through the vertebral canal.
Upper and mid-back region (T1-T12).
Articulate with ribs, forming the posterior part of the rib cage
1.Characteristics:
Intermediate in size.
Heart-shaped vertebral body.
2.Costal Facets:
Articular facets on vertebral bodies.
Articulate with rib heads, contributing to the thoracic cage.
3.Spinous Processes:
Long and directed inferiorly.
Overlapping arrangement for spinal cord and nerve root protection
4.Transverse Processes:
Facets for rib articulation.
Contribute to rib cage stability
5.Nerve Roots and Spinal Cord:
Control trunk movements and sensation.
Spinal cord runs through the vertebral canal.
• Lower back region (L1-L5).
• Support the majority of the body's weight
1.Characteristics:
Largest and strongest vertebrae.
Thick, block-like vertebral bodies
2.Spinous Processes:
Short and stout.
Project posteriorly for muscle attachment.
3.Transverse Processes:
Large and project laterally.
Serve as muscle attachment points
4.Nerve Roots and Spinal Cord:
Control lower limb movements and sensation.
Spinal cord runs through the vertebral canal.
Location:
>The sacral region is located below the lumbar
region of the spine and is situated between the
lumbar vertebrae and the coccygeal region.
>It consists of five sacral vertebrae labeled as
S1 through S5.
Articulation:
>The sacral vertebrae articulate with the lumbar
vertebrae above and the coccygeal vertebrae
below.
Function:
>It provides stability and support for the upper
body and serves as a point of attachment for
muscles and ligaments associated with the
pelvic girdle.
1.

Ø During development, the sacral vertebrae fuse to

form a single, triangular bone known as the sacrum.
Ø Fusion typically occurs in early adulthood, and the
degree of fusion can vary among individuals.
Ø The fusion of the sacral vertebrae contributes to the
overall strength and stability of the pelvic region.
1.Location:
>The coccygeal region, often referred
to as the coccyx or tailbone, is the
lowest part of the vertebral column.
>It is located below the sacral region
and typically consists of four small
vertebrae labeled as Co1 through Co4.
2.Articulation:
>The coccygeal vertebrae articulate
with the sacral vertebrae above.
3.Function:
>It serves as an attachment site for
various muscles, tendons, and
ligaments.
>The coccyx also plays a role in
providing support for the pelvic floor
muscles.
Fusion During Development:

• The coccygeal vertebrae also undergo fusion during

development, resulting in the formation of the coccyx or
tailbone.
• Coccygeal fusion is usually complete by early adulthood.
• The number of coccygeal vertebrae can vary, with most
individuals having four coccygeal segments.
Structure of Intervertebral Discs:
1.Nucleus Pulposus:
• The central, gel-like core of the disc.
• Composed mainly of water, proteoglycans, and cells.
• Provides resilience and compressibility.
2.Annulus Fibrosus:
• Surrounds the nucleus pulposus.
• Composed of concentric layers of fibrous cartilage.
• Forms a tough outer ring that encases and contains the
nucleus.
 :
1.Cushioning:
• Helps prevent damage to the vertebrae and spinal nerves.
• Acts as a shock absorber
2.Flexibility:
• Allows flexibility and range of motion within the vertebral column.
• Enables bending, twisting, and movement in various directions.
3.Maintaining Spinal Curvature:
• Contributes to the maintenance of the natural curvatures of the spine
(cervical, thoracic, lumbar) by facilitating movement and flexibility.
conti.....
4.Weight Distribution:
• Distributes body weight evenly across the vertebral column.
• Supports the load-bearing function of the spine and prevents excessive
stress on individual vertebrae.

5.Joint Function:
• Functions as a joint, connecting adjacent vertebrae while permitting
controlled movement.
• Allows for controlled motion at each spinal segment.
 Exit of Spinal Nerves through Intervertebral Foramina:

1.Formation of Spinal Nerves:

• The spinal cord gives rise to pairs of spinal nerves, each associated with a specific level or
segment of the vertebral column.
• Spinal nerves exit the spinal cord through openings known as intervertebral foramina, which
are located between adjacent vertebrae.
2.Pathway through Intervertebral Foramina:
• Each spinal nerve is formed by the fusion of a dorsal (posterior) root and a ventral (anterior)
root.
3.Dorsal and Ventral Roots:
• The dorsal root contains sensory fibers that carry signals from sensory receptors in the body
to the spinal cord (afferent pathway).
• The ventral root contains motor fibers that transmit signals from the spinal cord to muscles
and glands (efferent pathway).
4.Fusion into Spinal Nerve:
• The dorsal and ventral roots combine immediately outside the spinal cord to form a single
spinal nerve.
Here's an overview of common spinal issues: herniated discs and scoliosis
1.Herinated disc: A herniated disc occurs when the soft, gel-like center
(nucleus pulposus) of an intervertebral disc pushes through a tear in the tough
outer layer (annulus fibrosus).
Commonly affects the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) regions.
:
• Back or neck pain.
:
• Conservative methods: Rest, physical therapy, pain management.
• Medications: Pain relievers, muscle relaxants.
2. Scoliosis:
Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine, often characterized by an "S" or "C"
shape

:
• Uneven shoulders or waist
• Back pain (in some cases)

:
• Surgery for severe cases to straighten and stabilize the spine
• Observation for mild cases
• Maintain a Healthy Weight
• Regular Exercise Routine
• Proper Lifting Techniques
• Regular Breaks and Stretching
• Ergonomic Work Environment
• Mindful Posture
• Regular Checkups
 Critical Role in Overall Body Function:

• The vertebral column is the central axis of the body, serving as a foundation
for overall body structure and function.
• It plays a critical role in maintaining balance, supporting the head and trunk,
and facilitating coordinated movement.
• The spine's protection of the spinal cord ensures the smooth transmission of
signals between the brain and peripheral nerves, influencing various bodily
functions.