Axial Skeleton Flashcards
How many vertebrae does vertebral column is composed
33
Five regions consist of anatomically distinct vertebrae
cervical (C), thoracic (T), lumbar (L), sacral (S), and coccygeal (Co)
Body
the weight-bearing region of the vertebra. Vertebral bodies become more substantial in the lower regions of the vertebral column and bear more of the body’s weight.
Vertebral foramen
location of the spinal cord
Spinous and transverse processes
sites of muscle attachments.
Superior articular processes and inferior articular processes
form joints with those of adjacent vertebrae. They are responsible for restricting movements of the vertebral column.
Pedicle
a stout connection between the body and the rest of vertebra
Intervertebral foramina
above and below the pedicle, notches allow for the passage of spinal nerves. Two adjacent vertebrae form one intervertebral foramen.
Lamina
a flat region that connects the spinous process to rest of vertebra
C7 is often called
vertebra prominens
The first cervical vertebrae (C1)
atlas.
It has no vertebral body and serves to articulate with the skull.
axis (C2)
is also unique among cervical vertebrae. It has a projection called the dens (also called the odontoid process) that fits into the sizable vertebral foramen of C1. Because of the gliding motions between these vertebrae, the dens adds additional support to prevent C1 from slipping posteriorly over the surface of C2.
superior and inferior costal facets
mark these articulations on the vertebral body
Transverse costal facets
indicate where the transverse processes form a joint with the rib
How many costal facets would you expect to find on a typical thoracic vertebra?
6
LUMBAR VERTEBRAE
Five in number, these vertebrae support a large amount of your body’s weight. As such, they have the largest vertebral bodies. They have no articulation with ribs and have strong, stout transverse and spinous processes. Their articular processes face medially or laterally.
What are the distinct features of the cervical vertebrae?
They have bifid (forked) spinous process, and two transverse foramen.
What is the distinct feature of axis (C2)?
It has a den
What are the unique features of thoracic vertebrae?
It has a long, downward sloping spinous process and 6 costal facets on each vertebra.
Which vertebrae support a large amount of the body’s weight?
Lumbar vertebrae (they have large bodies)
Five sacral vertebral bodies fuse during development to form
the sacrum.
