Vertebral Column Flashcards
What are the 3 main functions of the spine?
Support, protection, and attachment points for muscles.
What are the 3 sections of vertebrae?
Cervical, thoracic, and Lumbar
What is the Cervical vertebrae?
It is located at the top of the spine (C1-C7)
What is the Thoracic Vertebrae?
It is located in the middle spine (T1-T12). Medium, heart shaped bodies that are larger than cervical vertebrae. Two costal facets on each side for rib attachment.
What are the 2 bones at the bottom of the spine?
Sacrum and coccyx
What is the Sacrum?
It is located at the bottom of the spine. Connects to pelvis. 5 bones fused together to make 1 bone.
What is the coccyx?
Located at bottom of Sacrum. It is your tailbone. Formed by the fusing of 3-5 vertebrae.
What is the Lumbar vertebrae?
It is located at lower spine (L1-L5). Carries the most body weight. Short, blunt spinous processes, long and thin transverse process, wide articular processes to allow for large range of motion.
How many bones are apart of the vertebral column?
24, plus the sacrum and coccyx
What is the purpose of the spine shape?
It has a distinct and unique curve, which helps to distribute weight and pressure through the entire spine.
What is the atlas and where is it located?
The atlas is C1. It supports the skull and allows flexion and extension (“yes”)
What is the axis and where is it located?
It is C2. It allows the head to rotate laterally (spins on axis)
What are the 4 curvatures?
Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral curvature
What is thoracic kyphosis?
It is when the thoracic curvature is exaggerated (hunch back). It is a degenerative disease or injury.
What is Lumbar Lordosis?
It is when the lumbar curvature is exaggerated ( pelvis protrudes). Caused from weight bearing or poor core muscles.
