ANP 1106 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Intervertebral Foramina, Spinal Disc Herniation, Thoracic Vertebrae

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Anatomy and Physiology
• Course: ANP 1106
• Professor: Jackie Carnegie

Document Summary

Topic 3c: more anatomy of the skeletal system. 33 bones of which 24 remaining separate (flexibility) and the remaining 9 fuse to form 2 composite bones (sacrum & coccyx) - 70 cm long. 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, coccyx. 3 main functions: weight bearing, anchor for muscles and ligaments, protection of spinal cord. Supporting elements of the vertebral column: ligaments. Strap like; support column of bones to stay upright. Major supporting ligaments are anterior and posterior longitudinal. Continuous bands down front and back of vertebral bodies from neck to scrum. Broad anterior is strongly attached to bony vertebrae and discs; prevents hyperextension of spine. Posterior is narrow, weaker and attached only to discs; prevent hyperflexion of spine: intervertebral discs. Cushioning between bony vertebral bodies - shock absorbers - 25% length of vertebral column. Each is circular with nucleus pulposus in centre & annulus (ring) fibrosus around the periphery.