Vertebrae/Ribs/Sternum

Question 1

What are the 5 regions of vertebrae?

Answer 1

Cervical region - vertebrates: C1-C7

Thoracic region - vertebrates: T1-T12

Lumbar region - vertebrates: L1-L5

Sacrum - fused vertebrates: S1-S5

Coccyx - vertebrates: Co1-Co4

Question 2

What are the 4 types of curves in the spine?

Answer 2

Cervical curve (convex anteriorly)

Thoracic curve (convex posteriorly)

Lumbar (convex anteriorly)

Sacral curve (convex posteriorly)

Question 3

What is the function of the curves?

Answer 3

Functions of the curves is to increase strength of the vertebral column, provide shock absorption, and help maintain balance in the upright posture

Question 4

What are the features of a typical vertebra in the spine?

Answer 4

• Vertebral foramen - collectively, these form the vertebral canal which contains the spinal cord
• Vertebral arch
• Body
• Lamina
• Transverse process
• Spinous process
• Pedicle
• Superior articular process
• Intervertebral foramen (spinal nerves)
• Inferior articular processes
• Zygapophyseal (facet) joint
• Intervertebral disc

Question 5

What are the special features of a cervical vertebra?

Answer 5

• Small body
• Large vertebral foramen
• Small transverse processes
• Bifid spinous process
• Transverse foramen (vertebral artery and vein)
• Atlas - no body, no spinous process, anterior and posterior arches and lateral masses, superior articular facets (occipital bone)
• Axis - large spinous process, odontoid process (atlas anterior arch)

Question 6

What are the special features of a thoracic vertebra?

Answer 6

• Longer transverse process
• Long, inferiorly-directed spinous process
• Facet on the transverse process - for the rib tubercle
• Superior demifacet on the body - for the rib head
• Inferior demifacet on the body - for the rib head (T9-T12 only have one facet for rib heads)

Question 7

What are the special features of a lumbar vertebra?

Answer 7

• Largest
• Short + blunt spinous process

Question 8

Describe the features of the sternum.

Answer 8

• Clavicular notch
• Sternal angle
• Suprasternal notch
• Mandibrum
• Body
• Xiphoid process

Question 9

Describe the features of the ribs.

Answer 9

True Ribs: 1-7 - have costal cartilages that attach directly to the sternum

False Ribs: 8-12 - have costal cartilages that attach indirectly to the sternum or not at all

Floating Ribs: 11-12 - do not attach to the sternum

Question 10

What are the parts of a rib?

Answer 10

Parts of a rib:
- neck
- costal cartilage
- tubercle (facet that articulates with the facet on transverse process of 1 thoracic vertebrae)
- head (has superior and inferior facets that articulate with the demifacets on the bodies of 2 thoracic vertebrae)