Vertebral Column and Thoracic Cage

Intervertebral discs

fibrocartilage pads that separate and cushion the vertebrae

Number of vertebrae in cervical region

7

Number of vertebrae in thoracic region

12

Number of vertebrae in lumbar region

5

Sacrum

Coccyx

tailbone

Number of vertebrae in infant

33-34

Number of vertebrae in adult

26

atlas

C1 bone; occipital condyles of skull sit on this vertebra

axis

C2 bone; allows one to pivot neck

odontoid porcess

yellow arrow here - the process on the axis (C2) that fits through the foramen in the atlas (C1)

cervical curvature

thoracic curvature

lumbar curvature

cervical vertebra

thoracic vertebra

lumbar vertebra

Intervertebral foramina

transverse process

spinous process

Vertebral foramen

Vertebral body

Transverse Foramen

Costal Cartilage

False Ribs

Last 5 pairs of ribs; attach indirectly to sternum

Floating ribs

Last two pairs of ribs; do not attach to sternum

True Ribs

First 7 pairs of ribs; attach directly to sternum

Sternal body

Manubrium

Xiphoid process

Intercostal space

Space between the ribs