Axial Skeleton

Anterior fontanel

Anterolateral fontanel

Future coronal suture

Future sagittal suture

Future lambdoid suture

Future squamosal suture

Posterior fontanel

back of the head

Posterolateral fontanel

Anterior fontanel

Anterolateral fontanel

Future coronal suture

Future sagittal suture

Future lambdoid suture

Future squamosal suture

Posterior fontanel

back of the head

Posterolateral fontanel

Vertebral column

26 irregular bones connected and reinforced by ligaments in such a way that a flexible curved structure results

Intervertebral disks

each vertebrae are separated by pads of flexible fibrocartilage; cushion and absorb shock

Herniated disk

drying of the disks and weakening of the ligaments; aka slipped disk

Primary curvature

thoracic and sacral regions; curvature present when born

Secondary curvature

cervical, lumbar; curvature created through development

Scoliosis

Lateral curvature of the spine

Kyphosis

An exaggerated posterior curvature of the thoracic spine that causes significant back pain and limited mobility.

Lordosis

abnormal anterior curvature of the lumbar spine (sway-back condition)

Vertebral body

disklike, weight bearing part of the vertebra

Vertebral arch

arch formed from the joining of all posterior extensions from the vertebral body

Laminae

helps form the vertebral arch; towards the spinous process

Pedicle

helps form the vertebral arch; towards the body

Vertebral foramen

spinal cord passes through this

Transverse process

2 lateral projections from the body

Spinous process

single projection towards the posterior side of vertebrae

Superior articular process

allows vertebra to form joints with adjacent vertebrae; superior part

Inferior articular process

allows vertebra to form joints with adjacent vertebrae; inferior part

Cervical vertebrae

vertebrae of the neck region; 7 of them; spinous process are short and divided into 2 branches

Atlas

has no body; allows you to nod yes; C1

Axis

acts as a pivot for the rotation of the atlas; C2

Dens process

large upright process, acts as a pivot point on axis

Transverse foramina

vertebral arteries pass through to the brain; found only in cervical vertebrae

Thoracic vertebrae

body is heart shaped; 12 of them; spinous process is long and hooks sharply downward

Superior costal facet

receive the head of the ribs on the superior side; only in thoracic vertebrae

Inferior costal facet

receive the head of the ribs on the inferior side; only in thoracic vertebrae

Lumbar vertebrae

body is big and spinous process is thick; 5 of them

Sacrum

5 fused vertebrae; connected to the lumbar vertebrae

Median sacral crest

middle crest on the sacrum

Sacral foramina

Allow the passage of sacral spinal nerves.

Sacral canal

The spinal nerves (cauda equina) travel through this portion of the vertebral canal.

Sacral hiatus

posterior opening of terminal portion of vertebral canal

Coccyx

3-5 fused vertebrae; aka tailbone

Bony thorax

aka thoracic cage

Sternum

fusion of 3 bones; chest area

Manubrium

top bone of the sternum

Body

middle bone of the sternum

Xiphoid process

end bone of the sternum

Jugular notch

notch on the manubrium

Sternal angle

area between the manubrium and sternal body

Xiphisternal joint

joint between the sternal body and xiphoid

True ribs

first 7 pair of ribs; directly attached to the sternum by costal cartilage

False ribs

ribs 8-12; indirectly attached to sternum or not at all

Floating ribs

last 2 ribs of the false ribs

Intercostal spaces

filled w/the intercostal muscles that aid in breathing

Costal cartilage

help connect some ribs to the sternum

Atlas

Axis

Body

Cervical Body

Cervical Curvature

Cervical Spinous Process

Cervical Transverse Foramen

Cervical Transverse Process

Cervical Vertebrae

Cervical Vertebral Foramen

Clavicular Notch

Coccyx

False Ribs

Floating Ribs

Jugular Notch

Lumbar Curvature

Lumbar Spinous Process

Lumbar Superior Articular Process and Facet

Lumbar Transverse Process

Lumbar Vertebrae

Lumbar Vertebral Foramen

Lumbar Body

Manubrium

Sacral Promontory

Thoracic curvature

Thoracic Body

Thoracic Cage

Thoracic Spinous Process

Thoracic Superior Articular Process and Facet

Thoracic Superior Costal Faces for Head of Ribs

Thoracic transverse costal facet tubercle of rib

Thoracic Transverse Process

Thoracic Vertebrae

Thoracic Vertebral Foramen

True Ribs

Xiphoid Process

Process

Outgrowth of tissue from a larger body

Foramen

Any opening

Suture

Rigid (stiff) joint between hard elements