Anatomy - vertebrae & bony thorax

Question 1

How many vertebrae in an adult?

Answer 1

26 vertebrae

Question 2

How many vertebrae in an infant?

Answer 2

33 vertebrae

Question 3

What makes up adult vertebrae column

Answer 3

7 cervical
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
1 sacrum (5 fused)
1 coccyx (4 fused)

Question 4

What makes up infant vertebrae column

Answer 4

7 cervical
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
5 sacral
4 coccygeal

Question 5

Vertebra column provides what?

Answer 5

Head support, encloses/protects spinal cord, attachment for ribs / pelvis / back muscles, provides flexible movement

Question 6

In a AP/PA vertebrae column is

Answer 6

Straight

Question 7

In a lateral vertebrae column is

Answer 7

Curved (single in infant, 4 in adult)

Question 8

Normal Curves in Adult

Answer 8

Primary Curves and secondary curves

Question 9

Reasons for curves in adults

Answer 9

Increase the strength of the vertebral column, Helps maintain balance by distributing the weight, Helps absorb shock, Helps protect the vertebrae from fractures

Question 10

Lumbar spine

Answer 10

concaves posteriorly

Question 11

Abnormal Curves

Answer 11

Kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis

Question 12

Vertebrae consist of

Answer 12

Vertebral Body, Vertebral Arch, Vertebral foramen

Question 13

Vertebral foramen purpose

Answer 13

Where the spinal cord passes through

Question 14

Vertebral Body contains

Answer 14

Mostly spongy/trabecular bone (with RBM) surrounded by thin layer of compact bone, and is bounded by anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments

Question 15

The vertebral body is

Answer 15

Separated by intervertebral discs and is the weight-bearing part