Neuroscience/Spine

Objectives

Describe the normal curvatures (primary and secondary) of the spine, and how and when they develop.
Identify the main parts of the vertebrae, including the atlas, axis and sacrum.
Identify and describe the joints and ligaments of the vertebral column, including the intervertebral discs, zygapophyseal, atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial joints.
Describe the interrelationships of vertebrae, intervertebral discs and foraminae to the nerve roots.
Describe the innervation of a intervertebral disc, zygapophyseal joint and the posterior longitudinal ligament.
Describe and identify the 2 major groups of intrinsic back muscles and describe their segmental innervation.

Anatomy of the vertebral column - Lecture notes from a lecture given by Dr. A. Hrycyshyn at the University of Western Ontario to a second year medical school class on 3 December 2004.