Anatomy Vertebral Column

Question 1

What are the functions of the vertebral column? (5)

Answer 1

• Supoorts the torso and the skull
• Allows movement of the back and neck
• Absorbs stresses from walking and running
• Protects the spinal cord
• Provides an attachment for muscles in the back and neck

Question 2

• How many vertebrae are there?
• What is between the vertebrae?
• How many cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae are there?

Answer 2

• There are 33 vertebrae
• Between the vertebrae are the intervertebral discs made from fibrocartilage
• There are 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 4 coccygeal vertebrae

Question 3

• What are the names of the curves of the spine?
• Which are primary, which are secondary and why?

Answer 3

• The cervical curvature, the thoracic curvature, the lumbar curvature and the pelvic curvature
• The thoracic and pelvic curvatures are primary curvatures. The cervical curvature develops as the infant lifts its head, the lumbar curvature develops when the infant learns to walk. These are secondary curvatures.

Question 4

Which part of the vertebrae is weight bearing? Describe this part.

Answer 4

The body of the vertebrae is weight bearing. It is a mass of spongy bone and red bone marrow covered with a thin shell of compact bone. Its superior and inferior surfaces provide firm attachments for the intervertebral discs.