Mammalian Skeletal Anatomy Flashcards
1
Q
What are non-articular projections?
A
- outside of joint
- attachment for muscles, tendons or ligaments
2
Q
What are non-articular depressions?
A
spaces for passage of nerves & blood vessels or lodging of muscles
3
Q
What are the 5 regions of mammalian vertebral column?
A
- cervical
- thoracic
- lumbar
- sacral
- caudal
4
Q
Describe the cervical vertebrae of the cat
A
- centrium - main support of column
- neural process - dorsal projections
- neural canal - spinal cord
- transverse processes - lateral projections
- zygapophyses - gacet joints between adjacent vertebrae
5
Q
What is another name for zygapophyses?
A
articular processes
6
Q
Describe the atlas vertebra of the cat
A
- simple in comparison to other vertebrae
- connects skull and spine
- ring like - no neural process and no centrum
- greater range of motion
- brain stem extends through
7
Q
Describe the thoracic vertebrae of the cat
A
- ribs
- costal facet - articulation with tuberculum on rib
- demifacets - articulation with capitulum on rib
8
Q
Describe the lumbar vertebrae of the cat
A
- abdominal
- large size with long processes for lumbar muscles to attach
- pleurapophyses
- mammillary processes extend dorsally epaxial muscles attach
9
Q
Describe pleurapophyses
A
- long blade-like anteroventral processes (point in 2 directions)
- fusion of transverse process and embryonic rib
10
Q
Describe epaxial muscles in the cat
A
- dorsal to notochord: epaxial body region
- epaxial muscles: extension, flexibility, stability of spine
11
Q
Describe the sacral region in the cat
A
- fused pleurapophyses
- fibrosynovial joint to pelvic girdle
12
Q
Describe the caudal vertebrae in the cat
A
- support the tail, vary according to tail
- simpler and smaller than other vertebrae - gets smaller along
- used for balance and counter-balance
13
Q
What are the general mechanical principles of cat vertebrae?
A
- trunk vertebrae interlock to form ‘suspension bridge’ above rectus abdominis
- rectus absominis: pectoral <-> pelvic girdles
14
Q
What are examples of varied neural spines in mammals?
A
- gazelle - shorter thoracic and longer lumbar for speed
- elephant - all spines point caudally for rigidity
15
Q
How many vertebrae are present in humans?
A
- cervical - 7
- thoracic - 12
- lumbar - 5
- sacral - 5 fused
- caudal - 4 fused
