1.1 Osteology

axial skeleton

composed of centrally located bones of the body such as the vertebral column, ribs, and sternum; does NOT include pelvis or clavicles

cervical region

most superior vertebral region; 7

thoracic region

vertebral region where the ribs connect; 12

lumbar region

vertebral region in lower back; 5

sacral region

vertebral region that makes up the sacrum; 5 fused

coccygeal region

vertebral region that makes up the coccyx; 4-fused

lordosis

anterior portion → convex, posterior portion → concave; cervical and lumbar regions are in this curvature

kyphosis

anterior portion → concave, posterior portion → convex; thoracic and sacral regions are in this curvature

intervetebral discs

promotes cushioning and flexibility between vertebrae

anulus fibrosis

outer rim of intervertebral disc made up of layers of fibrocartilage to stabilize disc

nucleus pulposus

watery gel-like core of intervertebral disc that allows for flexibility and cushioning

anterior longitudinal ligament

posterior longitudinal ligament

supraspinous ligament

intertransverse ligament

interspinous ligament

ligamentum flavum

radiculopathy

compression of a nerve root or any spinal nerve segment

flexion/extension

lateral flexion

rotation

vertebral body

weight bearing portion of the vertebrae

vertebral foramen

provides opening for spinal cord to pass through

vertebral arch

provides support for vertebral forament posteriorly

pedicle

lamina

transverse process

site for muscle attachment, facet to articulate with tubercle of the rib in the throacic region

spinous process

site for muscle and ligament attachment

superior and inferior articular processes

IAP articulates with inferior SAP

articular facets

surfaces for articulation

superior and inferior vertebral notch

forms openings for spinal nerves to exit vertebral foramen

zygapophysial joints

joints between the SAP and IAP of vertebrae

oblique horizontal plane

zgp joints aligned in this plane in the cervical region; provides highest ROM, but increases risk of injury

frontal plane

zgp joints aligned in this plane in the thoracic region; allows for rotation but limited extension

sagittal plane

zgp joints aligned in this plane in the lumbar region; allows for flexion and extension, but limited rotation

Cervical vertebrae

-smallest vertebral body

-largest vertebral foramen

-bifid spinous processes

-transverse foramina for vertebral artery

-SAP and IAP in oblique horizontal plane

-uncinate process to “hold intervertebral discs in”

Thoracic vertebrae

-vertebral body size increases

-vertebral foramen size decreases

-inferior projected spinous processes

-costal facets for rib articulation

-SAP & IAP orient in frontal plane

Lumbar vertebrae

-largest vertebral bodies

-small, triangular vertebral foramen

-posterior projected, blunt spinous process

-long, slender transverse process

-SAP & IAP orient in sagittal plane

sacrum

made of 5 fused vertebrae

atlas (C1)

superior facets articulate with occipital condyles; has no vertebral body

atlantoccipital joint

the articulation of superior facets of the atlas and the occipital condyles; synovial condyloid joint; allows for flexion and extension of neck

Axis (C2)

articulates with the atlas, has the otdontoid process or dens

atlanto-axial joint

articulation of dens of the axis and anterior arch of the atlas; synovial pivot/plane joint; allows for rotational movement of neck

manubrium

body

xiphoid process

1-10

number of ribs that articulate with costal cartilage

11-12

number of false ribs

1-7

number of ribs connected directly to sternum

8-10

number of ribs connected to superior costal cartilage

intercostal nerve

anterior rami of T2-T12, innervates muscle and skin related to spinal cord level and intercostal space

intercostal space

space between ribs, named for the superior rib to the space

superior thoracic aperature

space between 1st rib, thoracic vertebrae, and jugular notch of the sternum

inferior thoracic aperature

space enclosed by diaphragm