27. Vertebral Column

The vertebral column is composed of cervical, thoracic and lumbo-sacral components. The atlas (CI), axis (C2) and sacrum have specific appearances but other vertebrae have features common to them. Evaluation should include the components of the vertebrae (body, end-plates, pedicles, laminae, spinous processes and marrow), the inter-vertebral disc components (nucleas pulposus and annulus fibrosus) and facet joint components, as well as the ligaments and muscles. This chapter does not include the contents of the spinal canal and neural foramina, which are dealt with in the chapter on the Spinal Cord. Plain radiographs and CT are best suited to evaluating the bony components while MRI is best suited to demonstrating the inter-vertebral discs, ligaments, muscles and marrow.