Vertebral column

narrowing of the vertebral column, either in the spinal canal, intervertebral foramina, or the intervertebral spaces. The condition is degenerative and widespread, affecting approximately five in every one thousand people (Hsiang, 2015). This report aims to describe the anatomy of the vertebral column and spinal cord, relating changes in anatomy to the development and presentation of spinal stenosis. Within this discussion, the report includes a comparison of the types of spinal stenosis and their respective signs, symptoms and complications. 1. Spinal anatomy 1.1 Vertebral column The human vertebral column consists of 33 vertebrae, classified into five different regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal, with 7, 12, 5, 5, and 3-4 vertebrae in each region respectively (see Fig.1). While they are counted as separate bones, it should be noted that the sacral vertebrae are fused into a single bone (the sacrum) to maximise spinal stability and strength for weight-bearing. It is also not uncommon for the coccygeal vertebrae to fuse into a single coccyx bone (Gray, Drake, Vogl & Mitchell, 2014). While the features of each…

Spinal stenosis is also part of the aging process and is the narrowing of the spinal column which causing pressure on the spinal cord. Stenosis can affect any part of the spine but is more serious in the cervical region. It is very important to get a proper diagnosis from your back specialist. How is a Diagnosis Made? Your back specialist will want to do some tests before a treatment plan is initiated which may include spinal x-rays, CT scans, and MRI’s. These tests will check the condition of…

bone. It is responsible for the lengthening of the bones during childhood. After the bone has reached its full growth, then it calcifies and disappears. If damage occurs in the growth plate, then it may not reach its full growth, which may mean that particular bone could be unable to reach its full growth. • Which bone in the skull has an opening to allow the spinal cord to pass through, and what is this opening called? The occipital bone forms the back and base of the skull. This bone also…

opposite, consisting of a much thicker posterior side. These variations in thickness create a S-shaped curvature in the spine. The human spine has four curvatures, each resulting from the unique shape of each section of vertebrae; there are cervical and lumbar curves, or primary curves, and the thoracic and sacral curves, which make up the secondary curves. This S-shaped curve allows humans to distribute weight much more efficiently, thus decreasing the amount of impact placed upon the spine.…

Advantages of MRI: By choosing the appropriate pulse sequence and pulse sequence parameters, MRI has the ability of producing images by different contrast mechanisms giving it tremendous flexibility. Disadvantages of MRI: INFLAMMATORY PROCESS OF THE LUMBAR SPINE Spondylodiscitis: Introduction: Spondylodiscitis is a rare primary infection of the intervertebral disc with secondary infections of the vertebrae. It can lead to osteomyelitis of the spinal column. Predisposing factors include age,…

herniated disks. Disk degeneration follows a predictable pattern. First the nucleus in the center of the disk begins to lose its ability to absorb water. This occurs as result of a decrease in cell density in the disk that is accompanied by a reduction in the synthesis of cartilage specific extracellular matrix components as type II collagen. As proteoglycan content of the disk decrease, a loss of water binding capacity by the disk matrix occurs and disk become dehydrated. Then the nucleus…

INTRODUCTION Idiopathic scoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that is characterized by significant curve progression during a growth spurt (1). The longitudinal growth plays an important role in the development and progression of idiopathic scoliosis (1). A histomorphic study of the vertebral endplates from IS patients confirmed a more active growth of the anterior column than the posterior column (2). This mainly affects young kids due to their bones not being fully formed and…

and largest bone in the facial that makes up the lower jaw. • There are 2 nasal bones that are thin, forming the bridge of the nose (Cancer 2016). • There are 2 platine bones that form the posterior portion of the bony roof of the hard palate, small portion of the nasal cavity and orbit walls. • There are 2 lacrimal bones that form the medial orbit wall allowing tears to drain from the eye to the nasal cavity (Cancer 2016). • The vomer is slim and plow shaped forming a portion of the nasal…

Spondylolisthesis can be treated in various options. However, this could also be a painful process to endure. Most common remedy is over-the-counter medications. Tylenol or NSAIDS can reduce the inflammation around the spinal area or nerve site (Ullrich, 1). (Ullrich, 1). Injections are also another type of treatment options available (Ullrich, 1). Epidural steroid injections are typically the selection frequently administered. These injections consist of Lidocaine and steroids injected into…

considered a very effective treatment with a 72% success rate, varying on the hours of usage. According to two professors in Laval University, “12.9 daily hours of bracing, entails a success rate of 90%” (Pialasse and Simoneau 138). Other than maintaining and correcting the curvature of the spine, bracing also improves any asymmetry a patient might have from scoliosis (Pialasse and Simoneau 137). This gives scoliosis patients a lot of hope for overcoming this spinal deformity and treats it…