ANATOMY OF SPINE

Anatomical Planes
A-P X-ray of a scoliotic spine in the coronal plane.
The CORONAL PLANE, also called the FRONTAL PLANE, is a vertical cut that divides the body into front and back sections. Physicians look at the coronal plane when they view an A-P (anteriorposterior) x-ray of the spine to evaluate scoliosis.

Anatomical Planes
Lateral X-ray of a kyphotic spine in the sagittal plane.
The SAGITTAL or MEDIAN PLANE is a vertical cut that divides the body into left and right sections. The sagittal view is seen by surgeons on a lateral x-ray of the spine.

Anatomical Planes
CT Scan of a thoracic vertebra in the axial plane.
The AXIAL or TRANSVERSE PLANE is a horizontal cut that divides the body into upper and lower sections. To best view the axial plane of the spine, surgeons will often obtain a CT scan with axial cuts.

Functions of the Spine Protection of

spinal cord and nerve roots internal organs

Functions of the Spine

Flexibility of motion in six degrees of freedom
Flexion and Extension Lateral Flexion Left and Right Rotation

Functions of the Spine

Structural support and balance for upright posture
The spine is the axle bearing the load of the head, shoulders and thorax. The upper body weight is then distributed to the lower extremities through the sacrum and pelvis. This reduces the amount of work required by the spinal muscles and can eliminate muscle fatigue and back pain.

The Motion Segment

The FUNCTIONAL UNIT of the spine Composed of: Two adjacent vertebrae The intervertebral disc Connecting ligaments

Two facet joints and capsules

Spinal Deviations
Lordosis Kyphosis Scoliosis

Sagittal Plane Curves

Primary Curves Secondary Curves

Sagittal Plane Curves

Cervical Lordosis 20- 40

Thoracic Kyphosis 20- 40

Lumbar Lordosis 30- 50 Sacral Kyphosis

SPINAL COLLUMN
7 CERVICAL VERTEBRAE 12 THORACIC 5 LUMBAR 1 SACRUM - FUSED 1 COXCYC - 2 FUSED

 Cervical

Regions of the Spine

Upper cervical: C1-C2 Lower cervical: C3-C7

Thoracic: T1-T12

Lumbar: L1- L5
Sacrococcygeal: 9 fused

vertebrae in the sacrum and coccyx.

Basic Vertebral Structures

Cervical

Thoracic

Lumbar

Vertebral Structures
Vertebral Body Pedicle
Transverse Process
Vertebral Foramen

Lamina
Spinous Process

Superior Articular Process

Vertebral Arches Anterior Arch

Comprised of: Vertebral body Anterior 1/3 of the pedicles

Posterior Arch Comprised of: Posterior 2/3 of the pedicles Lamina Processes

The Atlas (C1)

Anterior Tubercle Transverse Process Articular Facet for Dens Superior Articular Facet

Transverse Foramen Posterior Tubercle Superior View Lamina

Lateral Mass

The Axis (C2)

Body Odontoid Process (Dens) Superior Articular Facet Lateral Mass

Inferior Articular Facet Anterior View

Transverse Process

Spinous Process

Posterior View

Lower Cervical Vertebrae

C3 to C7
May be referred to as the subaxial region Disc at every level Vertebral structures are similar

Lower Cervical Vertebrae C3 - C7

Sulcus for Spinal Nerve Pedicle

Body

Transverse Process Transverse Foramen

Lateral Mass

Superior Articular Facet Vertebral Foramen

Lamina

Axial View

Bifid Spinous Process

Vertebra Prominens (C7)

C7 is referred to as the VERTEBRA PROMINENS because it has a longer and larger spinous process than the other cervical vertebrae.

Spinous Process Axial View

Thoracic Vertebrae
Body - progressive increase in mass
from T1 to T12

Pedicles - small diameter Laminae - vertical, with roof tile

arrangement

Spinous processes - long,

overlapping, projected downward

Intervertebral foramen - larger, less

incidence of nerve compression

 Body - heart shaped when viewed superiorly. Vertebral foramen - round Pedicles - small in diameter Spinous processes - long and projected downwards

Thoracic Vertebrae, T1-T12

Thoracic Vertebrae, T1-T12

Articular processes
Superior Articular Process

Inferior Articular Process

Lumbar Vertebrae, L1-L5

Body - L1 to L5 progressive increase in mass Pedicles - longer and wider than thoracic; oval shaped Spinous processes - horizontal, square shaped

Transverse processes - smaller than in thoracic region Intervertebral foramen - large, but with increased incidence of nerve root compression

The Sacrum
Inverted triangle shape Sacral Horns

Sacral Ala
Pedicles
Dorsal Foramina

Sacral Hiatus Posterior View Coccyx

The Sacrum
Sacral Tilt 30-60

Sacral Promontory

1 2 3 4

Sacral Canal

Sacral Hiatus

Lateral View

Coccyx

Intervertebral Disc
Intervertebral disc End plate Cartilaginous layer Bony layer

Apophyseal ring

Intervertebral Disc
Fibrocartilaginous joint of the motion segment Make up the length of the spinal column Present at levels C2-C3 to L5S1 Allows compressive, tensile, and rotational motion Largest avascular structures in the body

Intervertebral Disc
Annulus Fibrosus
Outer portion of the disc
Made up of lamellae
Layers of collagen fibers Arranged obliquely 30 Reversed contiguous layers Great tensile strength
Annulus Fibrosus

Lamellae

Intervertebral Disc
Nucleus Pulposus
Inner structure Gelatinous High water content Resists axial forces
Nucleus Pulposus

Occipitocervical Joint
Occipital Condyles

Foramen Magnum

articulate with C1 superior facets

Thank You!