Axial Skeleton

Question 1

The axial skeleton is composed of 2 regions. What are they?

Answer 1

The skull and the trunk (the neck to coccyx)

Question 2

What does the axial skeleton serve as?

Answer 2

It protects the central nervous system within the cranial and vertebral cavities, protects the heart and lungs, facilitates ventilation of the lungs and attaches to the limbs

Question 3

What are the 4 main bold faced functions of the skeleton?

Answer 3

1. Support
2. Protection
3. Movement
4. Blood formation

Question 4

Explain the function of support

Answer 4

the weight of the body is supported by the skeletal system

Question 5

Explain the function of protection

Answer 5

Bones protect the structures within: bone marrow, brain, spinal cord and visceral organs

Question 6

Explain the function of movement

Answer 6

Muscles act on bones to bring about movements; electrolyte balance: bone tissue stores calcium and phosphate ions that can be released as needed to maintain ionic homeostasis

Question 7

Explain the function of blood formation

Answer 7

Red bone marrow is found within many bones; it produces red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets

Question 8

Define a head (bone terminology)

Answer 8

a rounded enlargement at the end of a bone

Question 9

Define a neck (bone terminology)

Answer 9

the narrow region immediately adjacent to the head

Question 10

Define a body

Answer 10

the main part apart from other named parts

Question 11

Define a tubercule

Answer 11

a bump or elevation

Question 12

Define a process

Answer 12

a bony projection from the surface

Question 13

Define a fissure

Answer 13

an elongated hole or irregular opening

Question 14

Define a meatus

Answer 14

an opening or canal

Question 15

Define a foramen

Answer 15

a hole or opening

Question 16

Define a sinus

Answer 16

an air filled cavity within a bone

Question 17

The axial skeleton includes:

Answer 17

the skull, vertebral column, ribs and the sternum

Question 18

Why is the vertebral column important

Answer 18

for locomotion and posture

Question 19

The vertebral column has many attachments to ___

Answer 19

muscles

Question 20

The ribs and sternum are protective to organs of the ?

Answer 20

thoracic cavity

Question 21

what are the 5 regions that consist of anatomically distinct vertebrae

Answer 21

cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal

Question 22

The vertebral column has several what

Answer 22

curve

Question 23

what kind of curves are the cervical and lumbar regions

Answer 23

concave from a posterior perspective

Question 24

what kind of curves are the thoracic and sacral regions

Answer 24

convex

Question 25

how many vertebrae is the vertebral column composed of

Answer 25

33 vertebrae

Question 26

what is found in between the 33 vertebrae

Answer 26

intervertebral discs

Question 27

define “body” in relation to the vertebrae

Answer 27

the weight bearing region of the vertebra - vertebral bodies become larger in the lower regions of the vertebral column and bear more of the body’s weight

Question 28

define “vertebral foramen” in relation to the vertebrae

Answer 28

location of the spinal cord

Question 29

define “spinous” and “transverse processes” in relation to the vertebrae

Answer 29

sites of muscle attachments

Question 30

Define superior articular processes and inferior articular processes

Answer 30

forms joints with those of adjacent vertebrae ; they are responsible for restricting movements of vertebral column

Question 31

define the intervertebral foramina

Answer 31

above and below the pedicles of each vertebra a notch is carved out that allows for the passage of a spinal nerve

Question 32

define pedicle in relation to the vertebra

Answer 32

connects body to rest of vertebra

Question 33

define lamina in relation to the vertebra

Answer 33

connects spinous process to rest of vertebra

Question 34

how many cervical vertebrae allow great flexibility in the neck

Answer 34

7

Question 35

what does a transverse foramen do

Answer 35

it easily identifies the 7 vertebrae that allow flexibility in the neck and allows passage of the vertebral artery, a significant blood supply to the brain

Question 36

what is the first cervical vertebrae

Answer 36

C1 - the atlas - it has no vertebral body and serves to articulate with the skull

Question 37

Movement between the skull and C1 is in what plane?

Answer 37

the sagittal plane

Question 38

What is the C2 vertebrae?

Answer 38

the axis; below C1; is unique among cervical vertebrae

Question 39

what does the C2 axis have that makes it unique

Answer 39

it has a projection called the dens (or odontoid process) that fits into the large vertebral foramen of C1

Question 40

what does the dens do?

Answer 40

it prevents C1 from slipping posteriorly and it allows rotation between C1 and C2

Question 41

C3 - C7 cervical vertebrae are pretty __ to one another

Answer 41

similar

Question 42

which vertebrae is called vertebra prominens and why

Answer 42

C7 - because of its long spinous process that can be easily palpated in most people