Module 11 - Vertebral Column, Thoracic Cage, and Trunk Wall Flashcards
What is the name of the first cervical vertebra?
the atlas
What is the function of the atlas?
first cervical (C1); supports the skull on top of the vertebral column
What is the region of the skull that articulates with the atlas?
Occipital condyles
Which vertebra lacks both a body and spinous process and why?
the atlas (C1 vertebra) because it has an anterior and posterior arch that allows for flexible rotation of the head
What is the primary function of the vertebral body?
transfer weight along the axis of the vertebral column
Which feature is only found in cervical vertebrae?
transverse foramina
Excluding the sacrum and coccyx, which are collections of fused vertebrae in adults, how many vertebrae are in the adult skeleton?
24
One section of the vertebrae tends to carry the most weight and strain, and accordingly those vertebrae have the largest vertebral bodies. Which section of vertebrae is this?
lumbar
How many thoracic vertebrae are in the vertebral column?
12
Which of the following characteristics belong to the lumbar region? Explain what is wrong with other answers.
1. Blunt spinous process
2. Small superior articular processes facing anteriorly
3. Facet joints
4. Long transverse processes
Correct: Blunt spinous processes
-they have LARGE anterior processes, superior facing backwards and inferior facing forwards
-no facet joints
-SHORT transverse processes
An intervertebral disc is an example of what type of cartilage?
Fibrocartilage
The largest ligament of the vertebral column prevents excessive backward bending (hyperextension) and is known as the?
Anterior longitudinal
What is a true rib, and which ribs are they?
has a direct attachment to the sternum; ribs 1-7
The most superior, U-shaped notch on the manubrium of the sternum is called?
the jugular (suprasternal) notch
Rib 5 articulates with the transverse process of which thoracic vertebrae?
T5
Where is the spinous processes located? What is their function?
-projects posteriorly at the midline of the back
-serve as important muscle attachment site
Where are transverse processes located?
projects laterally and arises from the junction point between the pedicle and lamina
The paired _________ articular processes of one vertebra join with the corresponding paired ________ articular processes from the next higher vertebra.
superior (faces up); inferior (faces down)
The large opening between the vertebral arch and body is the ___________ __________, which contains the spinal cord.
vertebral foramen
the opening through which a spinal nerve exits from the vertebral column is the:
intervertebral column
What does the body of the vertebral column do?
it is the anterior portion of each vertebra and is the part that supports the body weight
What are features of the cervical vertebrae?
-small body, reflecting that they carry the least amount of body weight
-bifid (Y-shaped) spinous process
-C3–C6 vertebrae’s spinous processes are short, but the spine of C7 is much longer
-transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae are sharply curved (U-shaped) to allow for the cervical spinal nerves’ passage
What is the transverse foramen?
an opening in each transverse process that has an important artery that supplies the brain ascends the neck by passing through these opening
In the thoracic vertebrae, _______ ________ ________ of thoracic vertebrae face posteriorly, and the _______ _______ _________ face anteriorly
superior articular facets; inferior articular facets
What is the function of the axis?
it is the second cervical vertebrae (C2); serves as the axis for rotation when turning the head toward the right or left
What feature most easily characterizes the axis?
dens
Describe what dens are:
a bony projection that extends upward from the vertebral body
What does the thoracic cage protect?
the heart and the lungs
The characteristic feature for a typical midthoracic vertebra is the _________ _________, which is long and has a pronounced downward angle that causes it to overlap the next inferior vertebra
spinous process
Thoracic vertebrae have several additional articulation sites, each of which is called a _______, where a rib is attached.
facet
What is a costal(demi) facet?
in most thoracic vertebrae, the two facets located on the lateral sides of the body
What vertebrae carry the greatest amount of body weight and are thus characterized by the vertebral body’s large size and thickness?
lumbar vertebrae
What is the sacrum?
triangular-shaped bone that is thick and wide across its superior base, where it is weight-bearing and then tapers down to an inferior, non-weight bearing apex (lower tip that connect to coccyx)
What is the coccyx?
the tailbone; articulates with the inferior tip of the sacrum and is not weight-bearing in the standing position but may receive some bodyweight when sitting
What are the primary curvatures?
-thoracic
-sacral
What are the secondary curvatures?
-cervical
-lumbar
What are the three disorders associated with curvatures?
-Kyphosis
-Lordosis
-Scoliosis
Describe the disorder kyphosis:
excessive posterior curvature of the thoracic region
Describe the disorder lordosis:
excessive anterior curvature of the lumbar region
Describe the disorder scoliosis:
an abnormal, lateral curvature, accompanied by twisting of the vertebral column
What does the intervertebral disc do?
-fibrocartilaginous pad that fills the gap between adjacent vertebral bodies
-each disc is anchored to the bodies of its adjacent vertebrae, thus strongly uniting these
-the discs also provide padding between vertebrae during weight-bearing
Each intervertebral disc consists of two parts, what are they?
- Annulus fibrosus
- Nucleus fibrosus
Inside the annulus fibrosus is the ________ _________, consisting of a softer, more gel-like material. It has a high water content that serves to resist compression and thus is important for weight-bearing
Nucleus fibrosus
The __________ ________ is the tough, fibrous outer layer of the disc. It forms a circle and is firmly anchored to the outer margins of the adjacent vertebral bodies
annulus fibrosus
T/F: With aging, the intervertebral disc becomes thinner, decreasing total body height somewhat, and reduces the disc’s flexibility and range of motion, making bending more difficult
True
Which ligament is found anterior to the spinal cord, attached to the posterior sides of the vertebral bodies and provides support for forward bending?
posterior longitudinal ligament
Posterior to the spinal cord is what ligament? What does it do?
ligamentum flavum; has large numbers of elastic fibers, which have a yellowish color, allowing it to stretch and then pull back, provides important support for the vertebral column when bending forward
Which ligament can expand to become the nuchal ligament?
superspinous ligament
What are false ribs?
ribs that do not attach directly to the sternum; ribs 8-12
What are floating ribs?
short ribs that do not attach to the sternum at all; ribs 11 and 12
Each ribs ends in a _____ ________
costal cartilage
What is costal cartilage?
most ribs are attached, either directly or indirectly, to the sternum via their costal cartilage; made of hyaline
The posterior end of a typical rib is called the ______ of the rib
head
What is the elongated bony structure that anchors the anterior thoracic cage?
The sternum
What three parts does the sternum consist of?
the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process
What is the wider, superior portion of the sternum called?
the manubrium
The top of the manubrium has a shallow, U-shaped border. What is this called?
the jugular (suprasternal) notch
The shallow depression located on either side at the superior-lateral margins of the manubrium is called what?
the clavicular notch
What is the xiphoid process?
the inferior tip of the sternum
The elongated, central portion of the sternum is the _____
body
