Vertebral Column

Question 1

The overall function of the vertebral column

Answer 1

Provides vertical support for the body.

Supports the weight of the head.

Helps maintain upright body position.

Helps to transfer axial skeletal weight to the appendicular skeleton of the lower limbs.

Houses & protects the delicate spinal cord & spinal nerves, and connect to the spinal cord.

Question 2

The structure of a typical vertebra

Answer 2

• Body
• Vertebral arch
• Vertebral foramen
• Intervertebral foramina
• Pedicles
• Spinous and transvers processes
• Articular processes
• Inferior and superior articular processes
• Intervertebral disc
• lamina

Question 3

Origin and insertion for the Anterior Group of Neck Muscles (SCM and Scalene)

Answer 3

-Sternocleidomastoid

ORIGIN – MANUBRIUM OF STERNUM AND CLIVCLE
INSERTION – MASTOID PROCESS OF TEMPORAL BONE AND NUCHAL LINE OF OCCIPITAL

SCALENE MUSCLES

ORIGIN – TRANSVERSE PROCESS OF RIBS 2-7
INSERTION – FIRST AND SECOND RIBS

Question 4

The blood flow to the Circle of Willis (only arterial blood flow)

Answer 4

formed from posterior cerebral arteries and posterior communication arteries

subclavian arter -> vertebral artery -> basilar arteries -> anterior, middle & posterior cerebral arteries -> anterior and posterior commication arteries (circle of willis) -> forms cerebral arterial circle around pituitary

Question 5

The overall function of the thoracic cage

Answer 5

Rib cage protect
heart, lungs, spleen and some visceral organs
provide support for upper limb
plays role in breathing

Question 6

The structure and function of the sternum (manubrium, body, and xiphoid process)

Answer 6

sternum is flattened bone 6 inches long with three parts from top to bottom

• manubrium -allows protraction and retraction of the thorax
• body - Protection of the lungs, heart and thoracic blood vessels from mechanical damage
• xiphoid process- attachment point for organs and large muscles

all but xiphoid process articulate with costal cartilage of ribs

Question 7

A number of the true, false, and floating ribs, and why they are being called as true, false, and floating ribs

Answer 7

true ribs (7)
1-7
have direct anterior attachment to sternum

false ribs (3)
8-10
indicrect attachment to sternum

floating ribs (2)
11-12

Question 8

The structure and function of a typical rib

Answer 8

the ‘typical’ ribs and the major landmarks are the head, neck, tubercle and body

The ribs form the main structure of the thoracic cage protecting the thoracic organs, however their main function is to aid respiration

Question 9

Muscles of the normal expiration and inspiration

Answer 9

respiratory muscles alter the size of thoracic cavity which affects the pressure in lungs and determines wheather to inhale or exhale

DIAPHRAGM – most
important respiratory muscle

other important respiratory
muscles – external and internal intercostal muscles

inspiration – diaphragm and external intercostal muscle

expiration – diaphragm and internal intercostal muscle

Question 10

Accessory muscles of inspiration and expiration

Answer 10

inspiration SCM and scalene

expiration – abdominal muscle