The human spine consists of more than 30 vertebrae, which are combined in 5 departments. It is cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum and tailbone. Each of the spine has its own functions and structural features. There is a division between the vertebrae, false and true. The sacrum and tailbone can be attributed to the group of false vertebrae.
Cervical
How many cervical vertebrae are different from the rest? How do they look? These questions can be easily answered, knowing the structure of the spine.
In the human spine there are 7 cervical vertebrae, which are included in the true group. They are joined together by a special ligamentous-muscular apparatus, which includes intervertebral discs and joints. The elastic structure of the discs allows you to soften the load on the spine during movement, ensures its safety.
All
vertebrae of the cervical spine develop with age and form lordosis - a special bend that resembles concavity on the side. Each vertebra is different from each other.
The anatomy of the cervical vertebra, the first and second, is significantly different from all others. Thanks to 1 and 2 vertebrae, a person can turn his head to the sides and tilt the head.
Vertebral anatomy
The structure of the vertebrae is the same for everyone. Each vertebra has a body, an arc, and processes. The body is the thickened part of the vertebra, which is above and below facing other vertebrae, front and side limited by a concave surface, flattened behind.
The entire vertebral body is equipped with nutrient holes through which the vessels and nerve endings pass.
The vertebral arch forms the
vertebral foramen, limiting from the back and sides. Located one above the other, the arches form the spinal canal. The spinal cord passes through it.
The posterolateral faces of the vertebral body begin to narrow, a leg of the vertebral arch forms, which passes into the plate of the vertebral arch.
On the surfaces (upper and lower) legs there are corresponding vertebral notches. Adjacent to the adjacent vertebra, they form the intervertebral foramen.
There are 7 processes on the arc of the vertebra. The spinous process is directed posteriorly. The remaining 6 are paired. Upper articular, lower articular and transverse processes.
All 4 articular processes are equipped with articular surfaces. With their help, neighboring vertebrae are articulated together.
Cervical vertebra anatomy
In medicine, cervical vertebrae are called a letter and a number (letter C and a number from 1 to 7). Vertebrae are characterized by low bodies, extended downward. The body surfaces are concave (upper right to left, lower front to back). In 3-6 vertebrae on the upper surface, elevated lateral edges are visible that form a hook of the body.
The vertebral foramen is triangular in shape, wide.
The articular processes are short, oblique in comparison with others, and their surfaces are either slightly convex or flat.
The spinous processes starting from 2, ending with 7 vertebrae, gradually lengthen. Up to 6 vertebrae, it is split at the end, slightly tilted down.
Transverse processes are short, directed to the sides. A furrow runs along the top of each process. It divides the tubercles into the anterior and posterior, along which the spinal nerve passes.
The anatomy of the cervical vertebra is interesting in its differences. For example, in the 6th vertebra, the anterior tubercle is especially developed. Close to it passes the carotid artery, which is pressed against it with blood loss. Therefore, the tubercle is called sleepy.
Transverse processes are formed by two processes. The anterior one is the rudiment of the rib; the posterior one is the appendix itself. Both processes are hole stoppers. The hole is called the vertebral arterial, as the vertebral artery and vein, as well as the sympathetic plexus, pass through it.
Distinct vertebrae
They differ from the rest of the vertebrae: the first cervical vertebra (atlas), the second (axial vertebra), the seventh (protruding vertebra).
First vertebra
Atlas has no body and spinous process. The vertebra is presented in the form of a ring formed by two arcs (front and back). These arcs are interconnected by special lateral masses. Above, the oval concavity connects to the occipital bone, and below with the almost flat surface of the second vertebra.
The anterior arch has a tubercle, the posterior has a small articular area - the fossa of the tooth.
The posterior arch has a tubercle, and on the upper part there is a groove of the vertebral artery (sometimes it turns into a canal).
The anatomy of the cervical vertebra Atlanta has no analogues among others. Together with the 2 vertebra, it forms a unique connection that allows you to perform various head movements.
Second vertebra
The second vertebra has a tooth directed upward from the body, which ends with the apex (articulated with the fossa of the atlas tooth by the anterior articular surface, the transverse ligament of the atlas adjoins the posterior articular surface).
A skull and the first cervical vertebra rotate around the tooth.
Transverse processes without tubercles and grooves of the spinal nerve.
Seventh vertebra
The protruding seventh cervical vertebra is distinguished by the fact that it has a long spinous process (non-bifurcated). It is visible to the naked eye and can be easily felt through the skin. Because of this feature, it got its name. In addition, the vertebra also has long transverse processes. Holes of the same name are either small or absent.
The lower edge of the lateral surface of the body often has a facet (costal fossa). This is the so-called trace of articulation with the head of 1 rib.
All cervical vertebrae are strong and strong bones. Knowing their features, one can easily determine the spinal bone in appearance.