TOPIC SEVEN : axial skeleton

Vertebral Arch

The arch of bone surrounding the spinal cord.

Neural Arch

The part of the vertebral arch that encloses the spinal cord.

Interneural Arch

A lesser arch found between neural arches.

Haemal Arch

An arch that protects the blood vessels in the caudal vertebrae.

Interhaemal Arch

Occurring between haemal arches, assisting in the protection of blood vessels.

Basidorsal

The base part of the dorsal surface of the vertebra.

Basiventral

The base part of the ventral surface of the vertebra.

Interdorsal

Located between the dorsal structures of the vertebrae.

Interventral

Located between the ventral structures of the vertebrae.

Vertebrae

Individual bones that make up the vertebral column.

Cervical

Pertaining to the cervical vertebrae, located in the neck.

Thoracic

Relating to the thoracic vertebrae in the upper back.

Lumbar

Referring to the lumbar vertebrae in the lower back.

Sacral

Pertaining to the sacral vertebrae fused at the base of the spine.

Caudal

Referring to the tail vertebrae in vertebrates.

Synsacrum

A fused structure formed by sacral and some lumbar vertebrae.

Innominate

Referring to a bone without a specific name, commonly used for hip bones.

Pleurocentrum

The lower part of a vertebra, situated between the neural arch and the haemal arch.

Intercentrum

A small intervertebral cartilage or bone that lies between adjacent vertebrae.

Centrum

The main body of a vertebra.

Acoelous

Referring to vertebrae with flat ends.

Amphicoelous

Vertebrae that are concave on both ends.

Procoelous

Vertebrae that are concave at the front end.

Opisthocoelous

Vertebrae that are concave at the back end.

Heterocoelous

Vertebrae with saddle-shaped surfaces that allow for greater flexibility.

Intervertebral Disk

Fibrocartilage between vertebrae that acts as a shock absorber.

Nucleus Pulposus

The inner gel-like core of an intervertebral disk.

Diapophysis

The transverse process of a vertebra that articulates with ribs.

Cranial Zygapophysis

The upper zygapophysis of a vertebra that connects to the one above it.

Caudal Zygapophysis

The lower zygapophysis of a vertebra that connects to the one below it.

Bicipital Rib

A rib with two articulation points with the vertebra.

Tuberculum

The small, rounded projection found on a rib.

Capitulum

The head of a rib that articulates with the vertebra.

Pleuroapophysis

A lateral extension of a vertebra that articulates with ribs.

Sternum

The breastbone, located at the front of the ribcage.

Sternebrae

The segments of the sternum.

Manubrium

The upper part of the sternum.

Xiphisternum

The lower part of the sternum.

Vertebrosternal Rib

Ribs that articulate directly with the sternum.

Vertebrocostal Rib

Ribs that articulate with both the vertebrae and the costal cartilage.

Vertebral (Floating) Rib

Ribs that do not attach to the sternum.

Gastralia

Bony elements found in the ventral body wall of some reptiles.

Perichordal Rings

Rings of cartilage surrounding the developing notochord.

Perichordal Tube

A tube-like structure that surrounds the notochord during development.