Vertebral column Flashcards
How many bone are in the vertebral column?
33 irregular bones
What percentage does the vertebral column account for of a person’s height?
40%
State the five sections of the vertebral column?
Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar
Sacral
Coccyx
How many bones are in each section of the vertebral column?
Cervical: Top 7 vertebrae of the neck
Thoracic: The 12 vertebrae of the mid-spine.
Lumbar: The 5 largest vertebrae of the lower spine
Sacral: The 5 fused vertebrae which forms the sacrum
Coccyx: The 4 fused vertebrae which forms the coccyx
State the five functions of the vertebral column?
To protect the spinal chord
To support the rib cage (thoracic)
To support body weight (lumbar)
Offers attachment for muscles in the back
Intervertebral discs receive and distribute impact (reducing shock)
How many natural curves should there be in a neutral spine?
3 natural curves
Describe the postural deviation - kyphosis
Kyphosis - the excessive outward curve (spine bends from front to back) of the thoracic region.
Gives a hunchback appearance
Describe the postural deviation - scoliosis
Scoliosis - abnormal curvature of the spine from left to right.
Creating an S shaped appearance.
Most common in the thoracic region
What does ossification, osteoclasts and osteoblasts mean?
Ossification is the process in which bones are formed.
Osteoclasts are cells that remove excess calcium.
Osteoblasts are calls that bring calcium to the bone.
How does a bone grow?
The ends of each bone (epiphysis) contain growing areas. It is these epiphyseal plates that allow a long bone to extend. Once a long bone is fully formed, the ends the bone fuses with the shaft (diaphysis)
How does exercise help the process of bone growth?
When we exercise osteoblast activity increases; forming stronger bones
