The human spine consists of more than 30 vertebrae, which are combined into 5 departments. These are the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum and coccyx. Each of the sections of the spine has its own functions and structural features. There is a division between vertebrae, false and true. The sacrum and coccyx can be attributed to the group of false vertebrae.
Cervical region
How many cervical vertebrae are different from the rest? How do they look? These questions can be easily answered by knowing the structure of the spine.
There are 7 cervical vertebrae in the human spine, which are part of the true group. They are articulated with each other 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, ensuring its safety.
All vertebrae of the cervical spine develop with age and form lordosis - a special bend resembling concavity from the side. Each vertebra is different.
The anatomy of the cervical vertebrae, first and second, is significantly different from all others. Thanks to 1 and 2 vertebrae, a person can turn his head to the sides andbow your head.
Anatomy of a vertebra
The structure of the vertebrae is the same for everyone. Each vertebra has a body, arch and processes. The body is a thickened part of a vertebra, which faces other vertebrae from above and below, is bounded by a concave surface in front and from the side, and is flattened behind.
The entire vertebral body is equipped with nutrient holes through which blood vessels and nerve endings pass.
The vertebral arch forms the vertebral foramen, limiting from behind and from the sides. Located one above the other, the arcs form the spinal canal. The spinal cord passes through it.
The posterior-lateral faces of the vertebral body begin to narrow, a pedicle of the vertebral arch is formed, which passes into the lamina of the vertebral arch.
On the surfaces (upper and lower) of the leg there are corresponding vertebral notches. Adjacent to the adjacent vertebra, they form the intervertebral foramen.
There are 7 processes on the arch of a vertebra. The spinous process is directed backwards. The remaining 6 are paired. Superior articular, inferior articular and transverse processes.
All 4 articular processes are equipped with articular surfaces. With their help, adjacent vertebrae are articulated together.
Anatomy of the cervical vertebra
Cervical vertebrae in medicine are usually called a letter and a number (letter C and a number from 1 to 7). The vertebrae are characterized by low bodies, widened downwards. The surfaces of the body are concave (upper from right to left, lower from front to back). In 3-6 vertebrae, elevated lateral edges are visible on the upper surface, which form a hookbody.
The vertebral foramen is triangular and wide.
The articular processes compared to others are short, oblique, and their surfaces are either slightly convex or flat.
Spinous processes from 2 to 7 vertebra gradually lengthen. Up to 6 vertebrae, it is split at the end, slightly inclined downwards.
The transverse processes are short, directed to the sides. A furrow runs along the top of each process. It divides the tubercles into anterior and posterior, and the spinal nerve passes through it.
The anatomy of the cervical vertebra is interesting for its differences. For example, in the 6th vertebra, the anterior tubercle is especially developed. The carotid artery passes close to it, which is pressed against it during blood loss. Therefore, the tubercle is called sleepy.
The transverse processes are formed by two processes. The anterior is a rudiment of the rib, the posterior is the process itself. Both processes are hole limiters. The hole is called the vertebral arterial hole, as the vertebral artery and vein, as well as the sympathetic nerve plexus, pass through it.
Different vertebrae
Different from the rest of the vertebrae: the first cervical vertebra (atlas), the second (axial vertebra), the seventh (protruding vertebra).
First vertebra
The Atlantean has no body and spinous process. The vertebra is presented as a ring formed by two arches (anterior and posterior). These arcs are interconnected by special lateral masses. From above, the oval concavity connects withoccipital bone, and from below with an almost flat surface of the second vertebra.
The anterior arch has a tubercle, the posterior arch has a small articular area - the fossa of the tooth.
The posterior arch has a tubercle, and on the upper part there is a sulcus of the vertebral artery (sometimes turns into a canal).
The anatomy of the cervical vertebrae of the atlas has no analogues among others. Together with the 2nd vertebra, it forms a unique connection that allows you to perform various head movements.
Second vertebra
The second vertebra has a tooth directed upwards from the body, which ends with an apex (articulated with the fossa of the tooth of the atlas by the anterior articular surface, the transverse ligament of the atlas is adjacent to the posterior articular surface).
The 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 (not 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 missing.
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 the 1st rib.
All cervical vertebrae are strong and strong bones. Knowing their features, you can easily determine the bone of the spine in appearance.
