Vertebral Column

vertebral column

also called the backbone, spine, or spinal cord

vertebral column

made of 26 separate irregular bones

vertebral column

supports the upper body

vertebral column

protects the spinal cord

vertebral column

provides points of attachment for other bones

cervical vertebrae

7 vertebrae found in the neck

cervical vertebrae

the smallest vertebrae

Atlas (C1)

supports the head; articulates with the occipital condyles, allows the head to nod “yes”

Axis (C2)

has a knoblike dens that the atlas pivots upon; allows you to shake your head “no”

cervical vertebrae

thoracic vertebrae

12 vertebrae found attached to the ribs

thoracic vertebrae

medium-sized vertebrae

thoracic vertebrae

lumbar vertebrae

5 vertebrae found in the lower back

lumbar vertebrae

largest vertebrae

lumbar vertebrae

sacrum

attached to the hip bones

sacrum

originally 5 bones (fuses to one by 30)

sacrum

coccyx

the tailbone

coccyx

originally 4 bones (fuses to one by 30)

coccyx

fibrocartilage

vertebrae are separated by intervertebral disks made of ___

4

how many curves does a healthy spine have?

text neck

cervical curvature disappears

kyphosis

“hunchback,” extreme thoracic curvature

lordosis

extreme lumbar curvature

scoliosis

sideways curvature of the entire spine