Veterinary anatomy I

Course # 12231
1
st
semester 2013/2014
Dr. Belal Abu Helal



JOINTS AND LIGAMENTS OF VERTEBRAE

The movable vertebrae are formed two sets of articulation:
-either between bodies of the vertebrae (adjacent vertebrae)
- or between processes of the adjacent vertebrae
Association with the above joints there are ligaments which unites arches and processes of the vertebrae, some
of them are special ligaments.

ARTICULATION OF VERTEBRAL BODIES

Articular surfaces: in the cervical region are cavities on the caudal ends while convex in the cranial ends. In
the other regions the articular surfaces are much flattened .

Uniting medium : The presence of intervertebral discs , which are occupied the spaces between the bodies .
these discs being thinnest at the middle of the thoracic region but thicker in the cervical and lumber regions and
thickest in the caudal region .
Each disc consist of :-
1- fibrous ring .
2- soft central pulpy nucleus .

Ligaments:
1- Ventral longitudinal ligament. It lies on the ventral surface of the vertebral bodies and inter vertebral
discs.
2- Dorsal longitudinal ligament . it lies on the dorsal surface of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral
discs.


JOINTS OF ARCH OF VERTEBRAE:-

Each typical vertebrae presents two pairs of articular processes ( cranial and caudal articular processes ) .
they forms synovial joints between the adjacent vertebrae .

Articular surfaces : they are extensive , flat and oval in cervical region , small and flat in thoracic region .
Concave cranially , convex caudally in lumber region .

Joint capsule: Strong and ample in cervical region . small and close in thoracic region , large and great
mobile in caudal region.

Ligaments :-
1- ligamenta flava . it connects arches of adjacent vertebrae.

An-Najah
National University
College of Veterinary medicine



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2- Supraspinous ligament. It begin from occipital bone to the sacrum. It extends medially over the summits
of spines.
This ligament in the neck region is called nuchal ligament

Nuchal ligament:- it is a powerful elastic apparatus , its function is to assist extensor muscles of the head
and neck . it extend from occipital bone to the withers . it is formed of two parts:
a- Funicular parts is extends from the external occipital tubersity and inserted in the summits of vertebral
spines of withers

b- Laminar parts: it is right and left laminae separated medially by a layer of loose connective tissue.
They are two bursa under nuchal ligament
1- atlantal bursa it lies between the ligament and dorsal arch of atlas.
2- Supraspinous bursa it present between the ligament and spine of second thoracic vertebrae


























ATLANTO OCCIPITAL ARTICULATION :-

It is the first cervical joint, present between occipital bone and atlas.

Articular surface : two deep oval cavities on atlas , and two condyles on occipital bone.
Joint capsule : two roomy joint capsules.
Ligaments : dorsal atlantooccipital membrane and ventral atlantooccipital membrane .
Movement : it is ginglymus or hinge







ATLANTOAXIAL ARTICULATION :-
It is the second cervical joint, present between atlas and axis
Articular surfaces :
a-two saddle shaped facets on the caudal end of the atlas
b-two saddle shaped facets or surfaces on the axis . which are extended uo on the dens and are confluent on
the ventral aspect
joint capsule : loose and ample
ligaments : interspinous and longitudinal ligaments
movement : pivot or Trochoid joint .














INTERTRANSVERSE JOINTS :-

These are synovial joints formed by the transverse processes of 5
th
, 6
th
lumber vertebrae and wing of the
sacrum. It consists of oval articular surfaces and tight joint capsule.

SACRAL AND COCCYGEAL JOINT
In foal the bodies of five sacral vertebrae forms joints similar to these in the caudal parts of lumber regions ,
they invaded by the processes of ossification after 3 years producing the sacrum.
Coccygeal vertebrae are united by relatively thick , biconcave intervertebral discs, there is no special ligaments
but there is a fibrous sheath .
Movement is extensive and varied.

MOVEMENT OF VERTEBRAL COLUMN
They are dorsal , lateral ,ventral , and rotational movement. Movement is free in cervical region and caudal
region but limited in both thoracic and lumber region.
ARTICULATION OF THORAX

1- costovertebral articulation a- articular of the head of rib
b-costotransverse articulation
2- costochondral articulations
3- sternocostal articulation
4- sternal articulation

































COSTOVERTEBRAL ARTICULATION

Each typical ribs forms two joints with the vertebral column, one by the head and the other by the tubercle of
rib .
a- articular of the head of rib
b- costotransverse articulation

articular surface are :
1- two concave facets on the bodies of adjacent vertebrae
2- two facets on heads , ribs separated by non articular groove
3- facet on the tubercle of rib
4- facet on the transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae

capsule : its tight and covered by the accessory ligaments.

Accessory ligaments are :
a- radiate ligament it extends from neck of rib to be spread on the bodies of vertebrae.
b- Intraarticular ligament . absent in the first joint, and due to it the joint is divided into two compartments
or rooms
c- Costotransverse ligament it arise from transverse process to the non articular part of tubercle of rib


Note
No 1& 2 refer to head of rib
No 3 refer to tubercle of rib

Movement
Head of rib Trochoid or rotary
Tubercle of rib plane joint


Costochondral articulation:

Its the articulation between rib and its cartilage, it is a fibrous joint, concave articular surface on the rib, while
convex on the cartilage. They are united by the continuing of strong periosteum and perichondrium.


Sternocostal articulation :

These are synovial joint formed by the cartilage of true ribs and the sternum. The articular ends of cartilages are
somewhat enlarged, and articular surfaces on sternum placed laterally except the first pair (present on the dorsal
border.

Capsule : are strong and tight
Ligaments : sternal ligament, radiate sternocostal ligament
Movement : rotation around, vertical axis ( except first rib)

Sternal articulation

In newborn foal the seven bony segments of sternum are united by persisting cartilage. Ossification is present in
intersternebral cartilage, which lead to fusion, its ligament is sternal ligament present on the thoracic surface of
sternum.