Bone: Axial Functions

Body of vertebra

Supports the body weight

Pedicle

Connects the vertebral body to the vertebral arch

Lamina

Connects the spinous process to the transverse process

Spinous process

Muscle attachment

Transverse process

Muscle attachment

Superior articulation processes and facets

Articulate with the inferior articulation processes and facets of the vertebra above

Inferior articular processes and facets

Articulate with the superior articular processes and facets of the vertebra below

Vertebral foramen

Houses the spinal cord

Intervetebral foramen

Passageway for spinal nerves and blood vessels

Transverse foramen

Allows the passage of the vertebral artery

Spinous process

Muscle attachment

Atlas C1

Articulates with the occipital condoles allowing for nodding motion

Axis C2 Dens

Articulates with the anterior arch of the atlas and allows for rotational movement

Transverse costal facets of the thoracic vertebrae

Articulate with the tubercle of ribs

Superior and inferior demifacets of the thoracic vertebrae

Articulate with the head of the ribs

Costal facets of the thoracic vertebrae

Articulate with the head of ribs

Lumbar vertebrae

Support the body weight and allow flexibility and rotation

Sacrum: superior articular processes and facets

Articulate with the inferior articular processes and facets of last lumbar vertebrae

Sacrum: auricular surface

Articulates with the auricular surface of the ilium

Sacrum: body

Supports body weight

Sacrum: median sacral crest

Muscle attachment

Sacrum: anterior and posterior sacral foramina

Passageways of nerves and blood vessels

Sacrum: sacral canal

Houses the continuation of the spinal cord

Coccyx

Provides attachment for ligaments and muscles and serves as an insertion point for some muscles of the pelvic floor

Head of rib

Articulates with the body of thoracic vertebrae

Tubercle of rib

Articulated with the transverse process of thoracic vertebrae

Neck of rib

Connects the head and the tubercle of the rib

True ribs

Directly attached to the sternum via the costal cartilages and protect thoracic organs

False ribs

Ribs 8-10: indirectly attach to sternum via the costal cartilages of rib 7; provide flexibility during breathing

Ribs 11-12: floating ribs with out any costal cartilage attachment; protect kidneys

Sternum: articulating facets for clavicle of the manubrium

Articulate with the sternal end of each clavicle

Sternum: articulating facets for costal cartilages of the manubrium

Articulate with the cartilages of the first rib

Suprasternal jugular notch

Ligament attachment

Body of sternum: articulating facets for costal cartilages

Articulate with the coastal cartilages of ribs 2-7

Xiphoid process of the sternum

Provides an attachment point for some abdominal muscles