Part 5

Question 1

Vertebral Column (Spine)

Answer 1

Serves as the axial support of the body. (Extends from the skull to the pelvis, where it transmits the weight of the body to the lower limbs. Formed from 26 irregular bones connected with ligaments that makes it flexible)

Question 2

Before birth, how many bones are there in the spine and what are they called?

Answer 2

There are 33 bones in the spine before birth and they are called Vertebrae.

Question 3

What happens to the 33 bones in the spine?

Answer 3

9 bones fuse together to from two composite bones (Sacrum, Coccyx) which construct the inferior portion the vertebral column

Question 4

What is the Sacrum?

Answer 4

Located below the lumbar vertebrae and make up of 5 fused verebrae

Question 5

What is the Coccyx?

Answer 5

Located below the sacrum; made up of 4 fused vertebrae. also known as the human tailbone

Question 6

What 3 sections of the spine are there?

Answer 6

Cervical Vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae

Question 7

How many bones are in the Cervical Vertebrae?

Answer 7

There are 7 Vertebrae of the neck

Question 8

How many bones are in the Thoracic Vertebrae?

Answer 8

There are 12 and its the midsection of the back

Question 9

How many bones are in the Lumbar Vertebrae?

Answer 9

There are 5 vertebrae that support the lower back

Question 10

What is an easy way of remembering how many bones are in each section?

Answer 10

7 AM, 12 NOON, 5 PM

Question 11

Interverebral Discs-

Answer 11

pads of flexible fibro-cartilage that separate single verebrae (Cushions the vertebrae and absorb shock)

Question 12

Herniated Discs-

Answer 12

slipped intervertebral discs that tend to be in older people due to the dying of sics and weakening of the ligaments of the vertebral column

Question 13

The discs and the S-shaped structure of the vertebral column work together to-

Answer 13

prevent shock to the head when we walk or run and make the body trunk flexible

Question 14

How many types of abnormal spinal curvatures are there and what are the names?

Answer 14

3; Scoliosis, Kyphosis, Lordosis; they may be from disease, poor posture or unequal muscle pull on the spine

Question 15

Why are the two first cervical vertebrae bones different and what are their names?

Answer 15

Atlas and Axis; perform functions not shared by other cervical verebrae

Question 16

What are Characteristics of Atlas (C1) and what is its function?

Answer 16

It has no body, contain large depressions that receive the occipital condyles of the skull (which allows the joint to nod yes with your head)

Question 17

What are the characteristics of Axis (C2) and what is its function?

Answer 17

Acts as a pivot for the rotation of the atlas and skull above. It has a odontoid process (or dens) which acts as the pivot point. Allows the head to move from side to side to indicate “no”

Question 18

What are the “Typical” Cervical Vertebrae?

Answer 18

Includes the C3 through C7 and are the smallest and lightest vertebrae.

Question 19

What is the Spinous processes in the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 19

Short and divided into two brances

Question 20

What is the Transverse processes?

Answer 20

Contain foramina (openings) through which the vertebral arteries pass on their way to the brain above. (Anytime you see these foramina in a vertebra, you should know immediately that it is a cervical vertebrae)

Question 21

How many thoracic vertebrae are all typical and are they bigger then cervical vertebrae?

Answer 21

T1 through T12 are all typical and are all larger than cervical vertebrae.

Question 22

What are some characteristics of the body of the thoracic vertebra?

Answer 22

Its somewhat heart-shaped and has two costal demifacets on each side that receive the heads of the ribs.

Question 23

What is the Spinous process in the Thoracic vertebra?

Answer 23

Its long and hooks downward causing the vertebra to look like a giraffes head viewed from the side

Question 24

How man Lumbar vertebrae are there?

Answer 24

There are 5 Lumbar vertebrae bones (L1-L5) and have massive, blocklike bodies. Since most of the stress on the vertebral column occurs in the lumbar region, these are the sturdiest of all vertebrae.

Question 25

What is the Sacrum?

Answer 25

Formed by 5 vertebrae and lies between L5 and the Coccyx.

Question 26

What is the function of the Sacram?

Answer 26

Forms the posterior wall of the pelvis and the vertebral cancal continues inside the sacrum as the sacral canal.

Question 27

What is the Coccyx?

Answer 27

Formed by the fusion of 3-5 tiny, irregularly shaped vertebrae. Also known as the human “tailbone”