7-2. The Vertebral Column and Thoracic Cage

Question 1

vertebral column

Answer 1

strong, flexible rod made of 26 irregular bones called vertebrae. Extends from the skull to the pelvis. Infants have 33 bones.

Question 2

What are the functions of the vertebral column?

Answer 2

provide attachment points for ribs and muscles of back; encloses and protects spinal cord; supports head and trunk

Question 3

intervertebral disc

Answer 3

cushion-like pads of fibrocartilage between adjacent vertebrae that permit movement while absorbing shockq

Question 4

herniated disc

Answer 4

ruptured disc caused by trauma to the spine

Question 5

intervertebral foramen

Answer 5

openings between adjacent vertebrae through which spinal nerves connect to the spinal cord

Question 6

spinal stenosis

Answer 6

narrowing of the intervertebral foramina causing the nerves to pinch

Question 7

normal curves

Answer 7

when viewed from the side, spine is curved in 4 regions to increase strength, help maintain balance, and absorb shock

Question 8

What are the four normal curves, in order?

Answer 8

cervical curvature
thoracic curvature
lumbar curvature
sacral curvature

Question 9

Which are the primary curves?

Answer 9

thoracic curvature and sacral curvature (were born with them)

Question 10

Which are the secondary curves?

Answer 10

cervical curvature and lumbar curvature (develop later)

Question 11

cervical curvature

Answer 11

concave curve in neck, C1-C7

Question 12

lumbar curvature

Answer 12

concave curve in lower back, L1 - L5

Question 13

thoracic curvature

Answer 13

convex curve in chest, T1-T12

Question 14

sacral curvature

Answer 14

convex curve between hips (5 fused vertebrae)

Question 15

abnormal curves

Answer 15

some are congenital; others result from disease, poor posture or unequal muscle pull on spine

Question 16

scholeosis

Answer 16

abnormal lateral curvature, usually in the thoracic region (S shaped)

Question 17

kyphosis

Answer 17

“hunchback” - an exaggerated thoracic curve

Question 18

lordosis

Answer 18

“sway-back” - exaggerated lumbar curve

Question 19

body

Answer 19

thick, disc shaped anterior part of vertebrae that bears the weight

Question 20

vertebral arch

Answer 20

forms the walls around the spinal cord - consists of 2 short, thick processes behind the body (pedicles), which unite with lamina at the back

Question 21

vertebral foramen

Answer 21

space between the arch and the body, containing the spinal cord (all line up to form the vertebral canal)

Question 22

processes

Answer 22

7 processes project from the vertebral arch:
1 spinous process (bumps you can feel in the back)
2 transverse processes
2 superior articular processes
2 inferior articular processes

Question 23

cervical vertebrae

Answer 23

7 vertebrae in neck, they have small oval bodies and large vertebrral arches. Spinous process is usually bifid (cleft). Each transverse process has a transverse foramen through which blood vessels pass to brain.

Question 24

atlas

Answer 24

C1 - lacks a body and a spinous process; articulates with occipital bone (nod head yes)

Question 25

axis

Answer 25

C2 - has thumblike process known as dens that sticks up into atlas (shake head no)

Question 26

vertebra prominens

Answer 26

C7 - spinous process that can be felt through skin at base of neck (“bony landmark”)

Question 27

thoracic vertebrae

Answer 27

12 vertebrae in chest region. They are larger than cervical and have long spinous processes that point sharply down. They have facets for articulations with ribs.

Question 28

lumbar vertebrae

Answer 28

5 vertebrae in lower back. They are the largest, thickest vertabrae, with kidney shaped bodies. The spinous process is short, flat, broad and projects straight back. The vertebral foramen is triangular.

Question 29

sacrum

Answer 29

1 triangular bone (fusion of 5 sacral vertebrae). At the back of the pelvic girdle, between the 2 coxal bones, where it forms the sacroiliac joint. Articulates superiorily with L5 and inferiorly wiht coccyx

Question 30

coccyx

Answer 30

1 small triangular tailbone below sacrum (4 fused vertebrae)

Question 31

What the sacrum articulate with superiorily? inferiorly?

Answer 31

superior - L5

inferior - coccyx

Question 32

thoracic cage

Answer 32

bony framework of thorax consisting of sternum and costal cartilage anteriorly, the ribs laterally, and the bodies of thoracic vertebrae dorsally

Question 33

sternum

Answer 33

flat narrow bone in the anterior midline of the thorax, resulting from fusion of three bones

Question 34

What are the three regions of the sternum?

Answer 34

manubrium - superior
body - large, middle part
xiphoid process - inferior tip

Question 35

What is the last part of the skeleton to osssify?

Answer 35

xiphoid process - over age 40

Question 36

ribs

Answer 36

12 pairs of flat bones that make up side of thorax. Each rib articulates posteriorily with its corresponding thoracic vertebrae (eg. rib 1 > T1, etc)

Question 37

true ribs

Answer 37

pairs 1-7, attach directly to sternum by costal cartilage

Question 38

false ribs

Answer 38

pairs 8 - 12, do not attach directly to sternum

Question 39

floating ribs

Answer 39

pairs 11 and 12, anterior ends do not attach to anything, only attach posteriorly to thoracic vertebrae

Question 40

What is the classification of rib pairs 11 and 12?

Answer 40

both false and floating

Question 41

costal margin

Answer 41

inferior margin of ribcage, formed by costal cartilage of ribs 7 - 10