Vertebrae, Ribs, Sterna

A series of flashcards covering the anatomy and functions of vertebrae, ribs, and sternum in vertebrates, based on the lecture notes.

Vertebral Column

The keystone of the vertebrate skeleton.

Functions of Vertebral Column

Protection of spinal cord and nerve roots, attachment for ligaments and muscles, structural support, and flexibility.

Centrum

The body of a vertebra that occupies the space where the notochord developed.

Neural Arch

Part of a vertebra that along with interconnecting ligaments encloses the vertebral canal occupied by the spinal cord.

Epaxial Muscles

Muscles that provide side-to-side and dorsoventral flexion of the vertebral column.

Hypaxial Muscles

Muscles used chiefly to compress the viscera and operate the ribs for respiration in tetrapods.

Procelous

A type of vertebra that is concaved on either end, found in urodeles and anurans.

Acelous

Type of vertebrae in mammals that do not have any concavity on either end.

Transverse Process

Processes that project laterally from the neural arch of a vertebra.

Sacrum

A set of fused vertebrae that bear the thrust of the pelvic girdle during locomotion.

Synsacrum

A complex formed by certain vertebrae in birds that includes fused thoracic, lumbar, and sacral vertebrae.

Urostyle

A unique structure found at the end of the vertebral column in anurans, growing from perichordal cartilage.

Xiphoid Process

The last sternebrae in the sternum which can be cartilaginous or bony.

Coccyx

The fused vertebrae at the end of the vertebral column in mammals.

Vertebrate Rib Types

Dorsal and ventral ribs found in some teleosts, with variations across species.

Human Ribs

Humans typically have 12 pairs of ribs.

Sternebrae

Bony segments that make up the sternum in terrestrial mammals.

Pygostyle

The visible skeletal portion of the tail consisting of small cylindrical centra.

Haemal Arch

An additional arch in some fish that contains blood vessels.