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What is the main weight-bearing portion of a vertebra?
Body
What passes through the vertebral foramen?
The spinal cord
What are the lateral projections on a vertebra called?
Transverse processes
Which vertebrae have transverse foramina?
Cervical vertebrae only
What structure sticks out posteriorly from a vertebra?
Spinous process
What passes through the intervertebral foramina?
Spinal nerves
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7
What is another name for C1?
Atlas
What is another name for C2?
Axis
What special feature does the atlas (C1) have?
No body or spinous process; supports the skull
What special feature does the axis (C2) have?
Dens (odontoid process) for rotation of the head
What are key features of typical cervical vertebrae (C3–C7)?
Small body
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12
What is a key feature of thoracic vertebrae?
Long downward spinous process and costal facets for ribs
Which vertebrae do ribs attach to?
Thoracic vertebrae only
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5
What is a key feature of lumbar vertebrae?
Large body and short blunt spinous process
How many fused bones make up the sacrum?
5 fused vertebrae
What is the function of the sacral foramina?
Allow passage of nerves and blood vessels
How many bones make up the coccyx?
3–5 fused vertebrae
What is another name for the coccyx?
Tailbone
What are the three parts of the sternum?
Manubrium
Which part of the sternum articulates with the clavicles?
Manubrium
Which part of the sternum is cartilaginous in youth and ossifies with age?
Xiphoid process
How many pairs of ribs are there?
12 pairs
How many pairs of true ribs are there?
7 pairs
How many pairs of false ribs are there?
5 pairs
What makes a rib a “true” rib?
It attaches directly to the sternum via its own costal cartilage
What makes a rib a “false” rib?
It attaches indirectly or not at all to the sternum
Which ribs are floating ribs?
Ribs 11 and 12
What do floating ribs attach to?
Only the vertebrae (not the sternum)
Which vertebral region has the smallest bodies?
Cervical
Which vertebral region has heart-shaped bodies?
Thoracic
Which vertebral region has the largest bodies?
Lumbar
What is the function of intervertebral discs?
Cushioning and flexibility between vertebrae