Vertebral Column By,M. Thiru murugan Vertebral column: The vertebral column encloses the spinal cord and the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. Also called backbone, spinal column, and spine. Each vertebra is separated by a disc called intervertebral disc  The vertebrae surround and protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord is divided into segments, each containing a pair of spinal nerves that send messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Many spinal nerves extend beyond the conus medullaris (the end of the spinal cord) to form a bundle of nerves called the cauda equina. The vertebral column is made up 26 Cervical vertebrae: These 7 bones are found in the head and neck. Thoracic vertebrae: These 12 bones are found in the upper back. Lumbar vertebrae: These 5 bones are found in the lower back. The sacrum (5) and coccyx (4) are both made up of several fused vertebrae. They help support the weight of the body while sitting. Parts of the vertebrae: The vertebrae of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines are independent bones and generally quite similar. The vertebrae of the sacrum & coccyx are usually fused and unable to move independently. 2 special vertebrae are the atlas (cervical 1) and axis (cervical 2), on which the head rests. A typical vertebra consists of 2 parts: the vertebral body and the vertebral arch. Vertebral body: Vertebral body is the thick oval segment of bone forming the front of the vertebra also called the centrum. The cavity of the vertebral body consists of cancellous bone tissue and is encircled by a protective layer of compact bone. The vertebral arch is posterior, meaning it faces the back of a person. Together, these enclose the vertebral foramen, which contains the spinal cord. Because the spinal cord ends in the lumbar spine, and the sacrum and coccyx are fused, they do not contain a central foramen. The vertebral arch is formed by a pair of pedicles & a pair of laminae, and supports 7 processes (4 articular, 2 transverse, and 1 spinous) 4 articular process: 2 articular process for above vertebrae & 2 articular process for ribs. 2 transverse processes and 1spinous process are posterior to (behind) the vertebral body. The spinous process comes out the back, The spinous processes of the cervical and lumbar regions can be felt through the skin. 1 transverse process comes out the left, and 1 on the right. Above & below each vertebra are joints called facet joints. These restrict the range of movement possible In between each pair of vertebrae are 2 small holes called intervertebral foramina. The spinal nerves leave the spinal cord through these holes. Cervical spine: The cervical spine located in the neck area, consists of seven bones (C1 to C7)  The first two cervical spine are unique in shape and function. first vertebra (C1), also called the atlas, The atlas holds head upright. The second vertebra (C2), also called the axis, allows the atlas to rotation of head. Functions: Protecting spin

1. Vertebral Column

2. Vertebral column:
• The vertebral column encloses the spinal cord and the fluid
surrounding the spinal cord. Also called backbone, spinal
column, and spine.
• Each vertebra is separated by a disc called intervertebral disc
• The vertebrae surround and protect the spinal cord. The spinal
cord is divided into segments, each containing a pair of spinal
nerves that send messages between the brain and the rest of the
body.
• Many spinal nerves extend beyond the conus medullaris (the
end of the spinal cord) to form a bundle of nerves called the
cauda equina.

3. • The vertebral column is made up 26
• Cervical vertebrae: These 7 bones
are found in the head and neck.
• Thoracic vertebrae: These 12 bones
are found in the upper back.
• Lumbar vertebrae: These 5 bones
are found in the lower back.
• The sacrum (5) and coccyx (4) are
both made up of several fused
vertebrae. They help support the
weight of the body while sitting.

5. • Parts of the vertebrae:
• The vertebrae of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar
spines are independent bones and generally quite
similar.
• The vertebrae of the sacrum & coccyx are usually fused
and unable to move independently.
• 2 special vertebrae are the atlas (cervical 1) and axis
(cervical 2), on which the head rests.
• A typical vertebra consists of 2 parts: the vertebral
body and the vertebral arch.

6. • Vertebral body: Vertebral body is the thick oval segment of
bone forming the front of the vertebra also called the
centrum. The cavity of the vertebral body consists of
cancellous bone tissue and is encircled by a protective layer of
compact bone.
• The vertebral arch is posterior, meaning it faces the back of a
person.
• Together, these enclose the vertebral foramen, which contains
the spinal cord.
• Because the spinal cord ends in the lumbar spine, and the
sacrum and coccyx are fused, they do not contain a central
foramen.

8. • The vertebral arch is formed by a pair of pedicles & a pair of laminae,
and supports 7 processes (4 articular, 2 transverse, and 1 spinous)
• 4 articular process: 2 articular process for above vertebrae & 2 articular
process for ribs.
• 2 transverse processes and 1spinous process are posterior to (behind)
the vertebral body.
• The spinous process comes out the back, The spinous processes of the
cervical and lumbar regions can be felt through the skin.
• 1 transverse process comes out the left, and 1 on the right.
• Above & below each vertebra are joints called facet joints. These
restrict the range of movement possible
• In between each pair of vertebrae are 2 small holes called intervertebral
foramina. The spinal nerves leave the spinal cord through these holes.

10. • Cervical spine:
• The cervical spine located in the neck area, consists of seven bones
(C1 to C7)
• The first two cervical spine are unique in shape and function.
• first vertebra (C1), also called the atlas, The atlas holds head
upright.
• The second vertebra (C2), also called the axis, allows the atlas to
rotation of head.
• Functions:
• Protecting spinal cord.
• Supporting head and allowing movement.
• Providing a safe passageway for vertebral arteries.

11. • Nerves in the cervical spine
• Eight pairs of spinal nerves exit through cervical spine.
• Cervical nerves C1, C2 and C3 control forward, backward and side head and neck
movements. The C2 nerve provides sensation to the upper area of head; C3 gives
sensation to the side of face and back of head.
• Cervical nerve 4 controls upward shoulder motion and is one of the nerves that
controls diaphragm. C4 provides sensation for parts of neck, shoulders and upper
arms.
• Cervical nerve 5 controls the deltoid muscles. C5 provides sensation to the upper
part of your upper arm down to your elbow.
• Cervical nerve 6 controls the muscles of wrist and is involved in the control of
biceps. C6 provides sensation to the thumb side of forearm and hand.
• Cervical nerve 7 controls triceps and wrist muscles. C7 provides sensation to the
back of arm into middle finger.
• Cervical nerve 8 controls hands and gives sensation to the pinky side of hand and
forearm

12. • Thoracic spine
• Thoracic spine is the middle & the longest part of spine.
• It starts at the base of neck and ends at the bottom of ribs.
• It consists of 12 vertebrae - T1 to T12.
• Thoracic spine is especially rigid and stable
• Thoracic spine nerves include:
• T1 and T2 nerves: these nerves go into the top of chest and into arms
and hands.
• T3 through T5 nerves: these nerves go into chest wall. Together, these
nerves help to control rib cage, lungs and diaphragm for breathing.
• T6 through T12 nerves: these nerves go into abdominal and back
muscles. It help with balance and posture

13. • Function of the thoracic spine:
• Protecting spinal cord and branching spinal nerves
• Providing attachments for ribs
• Supporting chest and abdomen
• Allowing movement of body

14. • Lumbar spine:
• Lumbar spine consists of the five bones (vertebra) in lower back.
• Lumbar vertebrae, known as L1 to L5, are the largest of entire
spine.
• Lumbar spine is located below 12 chest (thoracic) vertebra and
above the five fused sacrum bone.
• Functions
• Supports upper body, distributes body weight.
• Movements of body.
• Protects spinal cord and cauda equina.
• Controls leg movement.
• Site for lumbar puncture ( for anesthesia & collecting CSF)

15. • Nerves of the lumbar spine: five pairs of lumbar spinal nerves, one that
branches off from the right and left sides of L1 to L5. these nerves that
control pain signals and the movements of lower limbs.
• L1 spinal nerve provides sensation to groin and genital area and helps
move your hip muscles.
• L2, L3 and L4 spinal nerves provide sensation to the front part of thigh
and inner side of lower leg. These nerves also control hip and knee
muscle movements.
• L5 spinal nerve provides sensation to the outer side of lower leg, the
upper part of foot and the space between first and second toe. This nerve
also controls hip, knee, foot and toe movements.
• The sciatic nerve consists of the L4 and L5 nerves plus other sacral
nerves.

16. • Sacrum:
• The sacrum - terminal part of the vertebral canal, where it forms the
posterior part of the pelvis.
• It is thick, supporting and transmitting the weight of the body.
• The sacrum is fusion of the 5 sacral vertebrae.
• The bone consists of a base, apex and four surfaces:
• Base: articulates superiorly with the 5th lumbar vertebra
• Apex: attach the coccyx inferiorly.
• Ala or wing: located laterally on the sacrum. Each articulates with the
ilium
• Anterior and posterior surfaces: provide attachment to pelvic
ligaments and muscles.

17. Sacrum & Coccyx

18. • Coccyx: The coccyx (also known as the tailbone) is the terminal
part of the vertebral column. It is comprised of 4 vertebrae (fused)
• Parts: The coccyx consists of an apex, base, anterior surface,
posterior surface and two lateral surfaces.
• The base is located most superiorly - articulation with the sacrum.
• The apex is situated inferiorly, at the terminus of the vertebral
column.
• The lateral surfaces of the coccyx are marked by a small transverse
process, which projects from Co1.
• The coccygeal cornua of Co1 are the largest of the small articular
processes of the coccygeal vertebrae.
• They project upwards to articulate with the sacral cornua.