Axial Skeleton Flashcards
What is the function of the skull?
supports facial structures and protects brain
How many bones does the skull consist of?
22
How many bones of the skull form the viscerocranium (framework of face/facial skeleton)?
14
What are the paired bones of the viscerocranium? (6)
lacrimal bone nasal bone zygomatic bone maxilla inferior nasal concha palatine bone
What are the unpaired bones of the viscerocranium? (2)
mandible
vomer
How many bones of the skull form the neurocranium (bony box that holds brain)?
8
What are the paired bones of the neurocranium? (2)
parietal bone
temporal bone
What are the unpaired bones of the neurocranium? (4)
frontal bone
occipital bone
sphenoid bone
ethmoid bone
What are sutures?
immobile joints that join all skull bones together, EXCEPT mandible (lower jaw)
What bone is the mandible connected to, and by what joint?
mandible articulates with temporal bone to form temporomandibular joint (mobile)
What is the cranium?
skull without mandible
Anterior View of Skull
What are the 5 bone cavities?
2 orbital cavities
2 nasal cavities
1 oral cavity
Anterior View of Skull
What are the orbital cavities?
four-sided pyramidal space, with apex pointing posteriorly
Anterior View of Skull
What are the 3 major openings in an orbital cavity, and what are they for?
- superior orbital fissure
- inferior orbital fissure
- optic canal
serves as passages for blood vessels and nerves
Anterior View of Skull
What is the nasolacrimal duct?
bony channel that connects medial corner of orbital cavity to nasal cavity
Anterior View of Skull
What are the 2 nasal cavities separated by?
vertical bony septum
Anterior View of Skull
What are the 3 curved bony plates on the lateral wall of each nasal cavity?
- superior nasal conchae (part of ethmoid bone)
- middle nasal conchae (part of ethmoid bone)
- inferior nasal conchae (individual bone)
Anterior View of Skull
What is the anterior nasal aperture?
anterior opening of each nasal cavity
Anterior View of Skull
What is the choana?
posterior opening of each nasal cavity
Anterior View of Skull
What are the main bones that can be seen in this view?
frontal bone nasal bones zygomatic bones maxillae mandible
Lateral View of Skull
What are the main bones that can be seen in this view?
parietal bone frontal bone occipital bone temporal bone zygomatic bone lacrimal bone (within orbital cavity) maxilla mandible
Lateral View of Skull
What are 3 main parts of the temporal bone?
external acoustic (auditory) meatus
mastoid process
styloid process
Lateral View of Skull
What is the zygomatic arch formed by?
processes of zygomatic and temporal bones
Lateral View of Skull
What are the 2 processes on the mandibular ramus?
coronoid process
condylar process
Posterior View of Skull
What are the main bones that form most of the posterior view?
occipital bone
2 parietal bones
Posterior View of Skull
What is the lambdoid suture?
suture between parietal bones and occipital bone
Posterior View of Skull
What is the external occipital protuberance?
bony projection on occipital bone, indicating the border between head and neck
Superior View of Skull
What are the main bones that form most of the superior view?
frontal bone
parietal bone
occipital bone
Superior View of Skull
What is the calvaria (vault)?
dome-shaped roof of skull, formed by frontal, parietal, and occipital bones
Superior View of Skull
What is the coronal suture?
between frontal bone and parietal bones
Superior View of Skull
What is the sagittal suture?
between left and right parietal bones
Superior View of Skull
What is the bregma?
junction of coronal and sagittal sutures
Superior View of Skull
What is the bregma called in infants?
anterior fontanelle
Superior View of Skull
What is the lambda?
intersection of sagittal and lambdoid sutures
Superior View of Skull
What is the lambda called in infants?
posterior fontanelle
Superior View of Skull
What is a fontanelle?
membrane of connective tissue that allows skull to grow proportionately
required for brain growth
Base of the Skull - Exterior View
Name the main bones from anterior to posterior.
maxillae, palatine bones, vomer, sphenoid bone, temporal bones, occipital bone
Base of the Skull - Exterior View
What are the main bony features?
- hard palate
- pterygoid processes of sphenoid bone
- choanae
- styloid and mastoid processes of temporal bones
- occipital condyles
Base of the Skull - Exterior View
What is the hard palate formed by?
maxillae and palatine bones
Base of the Skull - Exterior View
What are choanae?
What are they separated by?
posterior nasal openings, separated by vomer bone
Base of the Skull - Exterior View
What are occipital condyles for?
articulation with:
- vertebrae CI
- foramen magnum of occipital bone
Base of the Skull - Internal View
Divided into three fossae called…
anterior cranial fossa
middle cranial fossa
posterior cranial fossa
Base of the Skull - Internal View
What is the anterior cranial fossa formed by?
- frontal bone (orbital plate)
- ethmoid bone (crista galli and cribriform plate)
- sphenoid bone (lesser bones)
Base of the Skull - Internal View
What is the middle cranial fossa formed by?
- sphenoid bone (greater wings and body)
- temporal bone (petrous and squamous parts)
Base of the Skull - Internal View
What is the hypophyseal fossa?
boney landmark in anterior cranial fossa that houses pituitary gland
Base of the Skull - Internal View
What is the posterior cranial fossa formed by?
- occipital bone (squamous and basilar parts)
- temporal bone (petrous part)
Base of the Skull - Internal View
What forms the boundary between anterior and middle cranial fossae?
posterior border of lesser wings of sphenoid bone
Base of the Skull - Internal View
What forms border between middle and posterior cranial fossae?
superior border of petrous part of temporal bone
Anterior Cranial Fossa Openings
What structures pass through openings on cribriform plate?
olfactory nerve (CN I)
CN = cranial nerve
Anterior Cranial Fossa Openings
What structures pass through optic canal?
optic nerve (CN II)
Middle Cranial Fossa Openings
What structures pass through superior orbital fissure?
- oculomotor nerve (CN III)
- trochlear nerve (CN IV)
- ophthalmic division (VI) of trigeminal nerve (CN V)
- abducens nerve (CN VI)
Middle Cranial Fossa Openings
What structures pass through foramen rotundum?
maxillary division (V2) of trigeminal nerve (CN V)
Middle Cranial Fossa Openings
What structures pass through foramen ovale?
mandibular division (V3) of trigeminal nerve (CN V)
Middle Cranial Fossa Openings
What structures pass through foramen spinosum?
middle meningeal artery
Middle Cranial Fossa Openings
What structures pass through lacrum?
(filled with cartilage)
Middle Cranial Fossa Openings
What structures pass through carotid canal?
internal carotid artery
Posterior Cranial Fossa Openings
What structures pass through internal auditory (acoustic) meatus?
- facial nerve (CN VII)
- vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)
Posterior Cranial Fossa Openings
What structures pass through jugular foramen?
- glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
- vagus nerve (CN X)
- accessory nerve (CN XI)
Posterior Cranial Fossa Openings
What structures pass through foramen magnum?
- medulla oblongata
- vertebral arteries
Posterior Cranial Fossa Openings
What structures pass through hypoglossal canal?
hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
What is the vertebral column?
forms axis of skeleton, starts from base of skull and rests on the pelvis
How many bones is the vertebral column composed of?
- 24 pieces of irregular bones (vertebrae)
- sacrum
- coccyx
join together to form flexible, rigid column for bearing and transferring body weight
What are the functions of the vertebral column?
- protects spinal cord
- provides passage for spinal nerves
What is the average length of a vertebral column in adults?
70 cm
What are intervertebral discs?
fibrocartilage discs between adjacent vertebrae
its total height accounts for 1/4 total length of column
What are the 5 regions of the vertebral column?
cervical thoracic lumbar sacral coccygeal
cervical region of vertebral column
7 vertebrae (CI-CVII)
concave - posteriorly
thoracic region of vertebral column
12 vertebrae (TI-TXII)
convex - posteriorly
lumbar region of vertebral column
5 vertebrae (LI-LV)
concave - posteriorly
sacral region of vertebral column
sacrum formed by 5 fused sacral vertebrae (SI-SV)
convex - posteriorly
coccygeal region of vertebral column
coccyx formed by 4-5 fused coccygeal vertebrae
What are the 4 anteroposterior curvatures in the lateral view of the vertebral column?
2 primary curvatures
2 secondary curvatures
What are the primary curvatures of the vertebral column?
- present at birth
- are convex posteriorly
- in thoracic and sacral regions
What are the secondary curvatures of the vertebral column?
- acquired after birth
- are convex anteriorly
- in cervical and lumbar regions
Characteristics of Typical Vertebra
Structure
body anteriorly, vertebral arch posteriorly
Characteristics of Typical Vertebra
What is the vertebral arch made up of?
pedicles and laminae
Characteristics of Typical Vertebra
What is the vertebral foramen surrounded by?
body and vertebral arch
Characteristics of Typical Vertebra
What is the vertebral canal?
longitudinal canal formed by successive vertebral foramina of articulated vertebrae, houses spinal cord and associated structures
Characteristics of Typical Vertebra
Describe the shape of the vertebral body.
- almost cylindrical, but shape varies in different regions
- size of vertebral body gradually increases in lower segments of vertebral column in order to accommodate the increasing forces applied by body weight
Characteristics of Typical Vertebra
What are pedicles?
two bony projections that extend posterolaterally from vertebral body
superior and inferior margins of each pedicle are notched (superior and inferior vertebral notches)
Characteristics of Typical Vertebra
What is the intervertebral foramen?
formed by vertebral notches of two adjacent vertebrae – provides passage for spinal nerves and associated structures
Characteristics of Typical Vertebra
What are laminae?
two bony ridges that project posteromedially from pedicle to join together in midline
Characteristics of Typical Vertebra
Where are transverse processes?
extend laterally from junction of pedicles and laminae
Characteristics of Typical Vertebra
Where is the spinous process?
projects posteriorly from junction of laminae in midline
Characteristics of Typical Vertebra
What are articular processes?
paired processes that arise from junction of pedicles and laminae
Characteristics of Typical Vertebra
What are superior articular processes?
extend superiorly to articulate with inferior articular process of the vertebra above
Characteristics of Typical Vertebra
What are inferior articular processes?
extend inferiorly to articulate with superior articular processes of the vertebra below
Cervical Vertebrae
Which vertebrae are typical cervical vertebrae?
CIII - CVI
Cervical Vertebrae
What structures do typical cervical vertebrae carry?
on each transverse process:
- bifurcated spinous process (small ‘split’ at distal end)
- transverse foramen
Thoracic Vertebrae
Which vertebrae are typical thoracic vertebrae?
TII - TVIII
Thoracic Vertebrae
What structures do typical thoracic vertebrae carry?
- costal facets, located on sides of their bodies, and transverse processes
- long slender spinous process that points inferiorly
Thoracic Vertebrae
Which vertebrae are atypical thoracic vertebrae?
TI, TIX - TXII
Lumbar Vertebrae
What structures do lumbar vertebrae possess?
- large body
- short thick spinous process
Cervical Vertebrae
Which vertebrae are atypical cervical vertebrae?
CI, CII, CVII
Cervical Vertebrae
What is the atlas?
CI
consists of two lateral masses connected together by anterior and posterior arches
has transverse foramen on its transverse process (similar to other cervical vertebra)
Cervical Vertebrae
What does the superior surface of lateral masses of the atlas articulate with?
occipital condyles
Cervical Vertebrae
What does the inferior surface of lateral masses of the atlas articulate with?
CII (axis)
Cervical Vertebrae
What does the anterior arch of the atlas articulate with?
odontoid process (dens) of CII (axis)
How many ribs are there?
12 pairs of flat curved bones that form most of thoracic cage wall
What part of the rib articulates with thoracic vertebrae?
posterior end (head)
What are true ribs?
first 7 pairs of ribs
anterior end articulates with sternum via their costal cartilages
What are false ribs?
pairs 8-10
articulate with sternum through 7th costal cartilage
What are free ribs (floating ribs)?
last 2 pairs
do not articulate with sternum or other ribs
Characteristics of Typical Rib (III to IX)
What does the head articulate with?
costal facets on body of thoracic vertebrae at the corresponding level, and the vertebra above
Characteristics of Typical Rib (III to IX)
What does the neck extend between?
head and costal tubercle
Characteristics of Typical Rib (III to IX)
What is the tubercle?
small bony elevation that articulates with costal facet on transverse process of the corresponding thoracic vertebra
Characteristics of Typical Rib (III to IX)
What is the body (shaft)?
thin flat bony plate that curves anterolaterally, most prominently at point of costal angle
Characteristics of Typical Rib (III to IX)
What is the costal groove?
bony groove on inferior border of internal surface of body that houses intercostal nerves and vessels
Which ribs are atypical ribs?
I, II, X - XII
lack some of the characteristic features of ribs
What is the thoracic cage?
conical bony cavity formed by thoracic vertebrae, ribs, costal cartilages, and sternum, that protects vital organs (ie. heart, lungs)
What is the superior thoracic aperture?
apex of cone (bean-shaped opening) located at root of neck
bounded by vertebra TI, firs ribs, and superior surface of manubrium
What is the inferior thoracic aperture?
base of cone bounded by vertebra TXII, eleventh and twelfth ribs, costal margin, and xiphoid process
sealed by diaphragm
What is the costal margin formed by?
costal cartilages of ribs VII to X
What are intercostal spaces?
spaces that separate ribs, and contain intercostal muscles, nerves, and vessels
Where is the thoracic cavity?
contained inside thoracic cage
What are the 3 main compartments of the thoracic cavity?
2 pleural cavities (on sides, hold lungs)
1 mediastinum (between pleural cavities, houses heart and other thoracic viscera such as trachea, esophagus, etc.)
What is microcephalus and how does it occur?
small head
occurs if cartilaginous lines close sooner than it should
When does the posterior fontanelle in infants close?
2-3 months after birth
When does the anterior fontanelle in infants close?
12-18 months after birth
What is the atlantoaxial joint?
the joint that the head rotates around
where dens (odontoid process) of axis articulates with anterior arch of atlas
What is kyphosis?
exaggerated curvature of thoracic region
What is lordosis?
normal curvature of lumbar and cervical region
What is hyperlordosis?
exaggerated curvature of lumbar and cervical region
What is hypolordosis?
less curvature of lumbar and cervical region
What is scoliosis?
abnormal lateral curvature
What does the transverse foramen contain?
vertebral arteries and veins
What is spina bifada?
when laminae do not fuse together (congenital malformation)
What are spurs?
extra bone that forms on edge of body of lumbar vertebrae, due to aging
What is pelvimetry?
measurement of pelvis
What is sacralization?
when LV fuses with SI, ending up with 6 ‘sacral’ vertebrae in sacrum (instead of 5 sacral vertebrae fusing together)
occurs at birth, congenital
What is lumbarization?
SI becomes part of lumbar region
disc between SI and SII
What is the axis?
second cervical vertebra that acts as pivot for rotational movement of head
Where is the odontoid process?
What does the odontoid process (dens) articulate with?
on superior surface of body of axis
articulates with anterior arch of atlas
What does lateral mass of atlas articulate with?
2 articular process lateral to odontoid process of the axis
What type of spinous process does axis have?
bifid
What is vertebra CVII also known as and why?
prominent vertebra (vertebra prominens)
has longest non-bifurcated spinous process that is palpable through skin
What is the sacrum?
wedge-shaped bone formed by fusion of 5 sacral vertebrae
What does the apex of the sacrum articulate with?
apex of bone points inferiorly and articulates with coccyx
What does the base of the sacrum articulate with?
base of bone faces superiorly and articulates with 5th lumbar vertebra (LV)
What does the lateral surface of the sacrum have?
What does it articulate with?
carry auricular surface (L-shaped articular surface) that articulates with similar articular surfaces on hip bone
What does the anterior surface of the sacrum have?
relatively smooth and concave
has 4 pairs of anterior sacral foramina for passage of anterior rami of sacral spinal nerve
What does the posterior surface of the sacrum have?
convex
remnants of sacral vertebral processes are presented as sacral crests
4 pairs of posterior sacral foramina for passage of posterior rami of sacral spinal nerves
What is the promontory?
anterior margin of superior surface of vertebra SI
on either side has triangular surface called surface ala
What is the sacral cana?
continuation of vertebral canal in sacrum
What is a sacral hiatus?
opening formed if laminae of vertebrae SV fail to fuse together at end of sacral canal
What is the coccyx?
(tail bone) small triangular bone formed by fusion of 4-5 coccygeal vertebrae
What does the apex and base of the coccyx articulate with?
apex is free
base of bone articulates with vertebra SV
What is the sternum?
(breast bone) flat bone that contributes to formation of anterior thoracic wall
What is the sternum composed of (3)?
composed of manubrium, body, xiphoid process
What is the manubrium of the sternum?
trapezoid bony plate that forms proximal part of sternum
What is the jugular notch (suprasternal notch)?
on superior surface of manubrium
on either side has clavicular notch that articulates with clavicle
On the manubrium, what is the articular surface on lateral margins for?
first costal cartilage
What is the sternal angle?
important surface landmarks, presented as prominent transverse ridge that indicates site of articulation of second costal cartilage with sternum
What forms the sternal angle?
manubrium of the sternum articulates with body of the sternum
What is the sternal angle at the same level as?
intervertebral disc between TIV and TV vertebrae
What is the body of the sternum?
slightly convex anteriorly
articular surfaces on either side for articulation with costal cartilages of ribs II - VII
What is the xiphoid process?
variety of shapes
articulates with body of sternum to form xiphisternal joint
What does the sides of xiphisternal joint articulate with?
7th costal cartilage