Structure and Function of the

Vertebral Column

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 Posture
Vertebral Alignment
Does it really matter? Yes it does!
Postural Curves
Convex & Concave
• the reference point is the posterior anterior

posterior aspect

• Cervical Lordosis
• Thoracic Kyphosis
• Lumbar Lordosis
Postural Curves
Cervical
Anterior
Convex
Posterior cervical
Concave
Thoracic thoracic
Anterior
Concave
Posterior
lumbar
Convex
Lumbar
Anterior
Convex
Posterior
Concave
Posture
Lateral view
Alignment should be through:
• the earlobe
• the acromion process
• Anterior vertebral bodies
• Greater trochanter
• Posterior to the patella
• Ant. to the lat. Malleolus
This woman has severe osteoperosis.
How has it affected her posture?
Posture
Anterior view
• Shoulders level
• Sternum centered and in
midline
• Hips level
• Knees level
• Feet slight outward toeing
Posture
Posterior view
• Scapula & Shoulders level
• Spinous processes centered and in midline
• PSIS & Hips level
• Knees level, not bowed or knock kneed?
• Ankles straight?
Cervical Spine Assessment
Kyphosis
Increased flexion in the thoracic spine, forward
head posture in the cervical spine
Osteology of the Cervical Spine &
Trunk
They say “you need to have a good
head on your shoulders,” but really,
you need to have it on your atlas!
Atlas: Caudal aspect
Axis: 2nd Cervical Vertebra

Anterior Aspect
Axis: 2nd Cervical Vertebra

Aspect
Axis: 2nd Cervical Vertebra

Posterior Aspect
Typical Cervical Vertebrae
Parts of a Vertebra
Body
Neural Arch
Vertebral Foramen
Pedicle
Lamina
Neural Arch
Transverse Process sp
Articular Process
Spinous Process Vertebral
foramen

body
Examples of Vertebrae
Sacrum & Coccyx
Posterior Aspect
Sacro-Iliac joints?
Sacrum & Coccyx
Anterior Aspect
Sacrum & Coccyx
Lateral Aspect
Sacro Iliac Joint?
Intervertebral Discs
Number
• 23
• Functions:
• Shock absorption
• Maintain flexibility of the vertebral column
• 25% of the length of the vertebral column
Intervertebral Discs
Annulus Fibrosus
Outer portion
Concentric fibrocartilage rings
Contain the nucleus puposis
Intervertebral Discs
Nucleus Pulposis
Gelatenous substance
High water content
70-90% at birth
Serving as a hydraulic shock absorber
Less than 70% at 60 years of age
Joints & Ligaments
Atlanto-occipital joint
Condyles of the occiput & superior articular processes
of the atlas
Supports the weight of the head
Atlanto-axial joint
Synovial joint
Odontoid process (dens) of the
Axis & and anterior arch of the atlas
Osteology of the Neck and Trunk
Joints & Ligaments
The joints between C2 through S1 are consistent
throughout
• Weight-bearing joints
• Synovial joints
• Capsular ligaments
• Occur anteriorly between vertebral bodies
• Posterior joints bilaterally known as facet joints
Joints & Ligaments
Anterior longitudinal
ligament
Attaches the bodies of the
vertebrae on the anterior
surface
Prevents excessive hyper
extension
Thin superiorly and thick
inferiorly to fuse the
sacrum
Found in the thoracic and
lumbar regions deep to the
aorta
Joints & Ligaments
Posterior longitudinal
ligament
Attaches to the bodies of the
vertebrae on the posterior
surfaces inside the vertebral
foramen

Prevents excessive flexion

Thick superiorly to help
support the skull and thin
inferiorly
Contributes to instability and
increased disk injury in the
lumbar region.
Joints & ligaments
Supraspinal ligament
Extends from the 7th cervical
vertebra distally to the sacrum
posteriorly along the tips of the
spinous processes

Interspinous ligament
Attaches successive spinous
processes

Nuchal ligament
Interspinous ligament in the
cervical spine
Joints & Ligaments
Ligamentum Flavum
Connects adjacent laminae on the anterior surface
We just looked at lots of ligaments.
Why do you think that there are so
many in the vertebral column?
Scoliosis
Lateral Curvature of the spine
What internal organs become affected if the
curvature is severe?
How is the stability of the spine affected?
Pelvic Tilt
The position of the pelvis affects the position of the lumbar
spine…
Anterior Pelvic Tilt Posterior Pelvic Tilt
Sacroiliac Joint
The joint between the sacrum and the ilium where
a small amount of motion may take place.
If one ilium is rotated forward on the sacrum,
back pain may result and the patient may
appear to have a functionally longer leg on that
side that resolves in supine.
Spondylolysthesis
Anterior displacement of one vertebra over another

L4

L5

Sacrum
Myology of the Vertebral Column
Sternocleidomastoid
Origin Sternal head: superior aspect
of the manubrium of the
sternum
Clavicular head: medial 1/3 of
the clavicle
Insertion Mastoid process of the
temporal bone
Innervation Spinal accessory n. (cranial n.
XI)
Action Bilateral: Flexion of the head
& neck
Unilateral: Contralateral
rotation of the head and neck
Scalenes
Origin Ant. Scalene: transverse processes
of C3-C7
Middle Scalene: transverse
processes of C2-C7
Posterior Scalene: transverse
processes of C5-C7
Insertion Ant. Scalene: 1st rib
Middle Scalene: 1st rib
Posterior Scalene: external surface
of the 2nd rib
Innervation Ventral rami (C3-C7)
Action Bilateral: flexion of the neck, assist
with inspiration by elevating ribs
1&2
Unilateral: lateral flexion
Rectus Abdominis
Origin Crest of the pubis
Insertion Xiphoid process and cartilages
of ribs 5-7
Innervation Intercostal n. (T7-T12)
Action Flexion of the trunk, posterior
pelvic tilt, increases intra-
abcominal and intrathoracic
pressure
“tidbits” pregnancy?
tendinous inscriptions?
External Oblique
Origin Lateral side of ribs 4-12
Insertion Iliac crest and linea alba
Innervation Intercostal nerves (T8-T12)
Action Bilateral: Flexion of the
trunk, posterior pelvic tilt,
increased intra-abdominal
and intra-thoracic pressure
Unilateral: Rotation of the
trunk to the contralateral
side, lateral flexion of the
trunk
Internal Oblique
Origin Iliac crest, inguinal ligament
& thoracolumbar fascia
Insertion Ribs 9-12, linea alba
Innervation Intercostal n. (T8-T12)
Action Bilateral: flexion of the
trunk, posterior pelvic tilt,
increases intra-abdominal
and intra-thoracic pressure
Unilateral: lateral flexion of
the trunk, rotation of the
trunk to the ipsilateral side
Transverse Abdominis
Origin Iliac crest, thoracolumbar
fascia cartlages of ribs 6-12,
& inguinal ligament
Insertion Linea alba
Innervation Intercostal n. (T7-T12)
Action Increases intra-abdominal
pressure, increases tension
in thoracolumbar fascia
Iliopsoas
Origin Psoas Major: transverse
processes of T12-L5
Iliacus: Iliac fossa
Insertion Lesser trochanter of the
femur
Innervation Femoral n.
Action Hip flexion, trunk
flexion, anterior pelvic
tilt
Quadratus Lumborum
Origin Crest of the ilium
Insertion Transverse processes of
L1-L4 & 12th rib
Innervation Ventral rami (T12-L3)
Action Bilateral: extension of
the lumbar region
Unilateral: lateral
flexion of the trunk
Origin
Insertion
Innervation
Action
What can you identify?
What can you identify?
Erector Spinae
Large vertically oriented
muscles on both sides of the
spinous processes (about one
hand’s width laterally)
• Extend and stabilize the
entire vertebral column and
craniocervical region
Iliocostalis
Inferior Lumborum: common tendon
Thoracis: angle of ribs 6-12
Cervicis: angle of ribs 3-7
Superior Lumborum: andle of ribs 6-12
Thoracis: angle of ribs 1-6
Cervicis: transverse processes of C4-C6
Innervation Dorsal rami of adjacent spinal n.
Action Bilateral: extension
Unilateral: lateral flexion
Longissimus
Inferior Thoracis: common tendon
Cervicis: transverse processes of T1-T4
Capitis: Transverse processes of T1-T5
& near facet joints C3-C7
Superior Thoracis: transverse processes of T1-
T12
Cervicis: Transverse processes of C2-
C6
Capitis: mastoid process of temporal
bone
Innervation Bilateral: extension
Unilateral: lateral flexion
Action Dorsal rami of adjacent spinal n.
Spinalis
Inferior Thoracis: common tendon
Cervicis: ligamentum nuchae and
spinous processes C7-T1
Capitis: Blends with semispinalis capitis
Superior Thoracis: Spinous processes of T1-T6
Cervicis: Pinous process of C2
Capitis: Blends with semispinalis capitis
Innervation Bilateral: extension
Action Dorsal rami of adjacent spinal n.
Erector Spinae Muscles
Why …
1.Were there so many muscles that
compressed the abdomen?
2. Are lower back injuries so
common?
3.Do so many people have such poor
posture if we have so many muscles
to help keep our body upright?