Axial Skeleton Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key structures, bones, sutures, and landmarks of the axial skeleton based on the lecture material.

Intervertebral Discs

Structures located between vertebrae that act as "shock absorbers" for the vertebral column.

Atlas (C1)

The first cervical vertebra, lacking a body and spinous process, whose concave superior facets receive the skull at the occipital condyles to allow the "yes" motion.

Axis (C2)

The second cervical vertebra, possessing a body, spinous process, and Dens process which forms a pivot joint with C1 to allow for the rotation "no" motion.

Dens

Also known as the odontoid process; a projection on the axis (C2) that articulates with the fovea dentis of the atlas (C1).

Vertebra Prominens

The seventh cervical vertebra (C7), characterized by a longer spinous process that serves as a palpable landmark along the back of the neck.

Thoracic Vertebrae

The 12 vertebrae (T1–T12) characterized by heart-shaped bodies, downward hooking spinous processes, and costal demifacets for rib articulation.

Lumbar Vertebrae

The 5 largest, block-like vertebrae (L1–L5) with straight posterior spinous processes and locked articular processes that limit rotation.

Sacrum

A bone formed by 5 fused vertebrae that attaches to the pelvis and features the median sacral crest.

Coccyx

A bone composed of 4 fused vertebrae, commonly known as the "tailbone," that provides minor support.

Vertebrosternal Ribs

Also known as "true ribs" (ribs 1 through 7); ribs that attach directly to the sternum via their own costal cartilage.

False Ribs

Ribs 8 through 10, which attach indirectly to the sternum through the costal cartilage of rib 7.

Floating Ribs

Ribs 11 and 12, which have no sternal attachment and help protect internal organs such as the kidneys.

Manubrium

The superior portion of the sternum that articulates with the clavicles and the first two pairs of ribs.

Sagittal Suture

The cranial suture that connects the two parietal bones.

Coronal Suture

The cranial suture connecting the parietal bones to the frontal bone.

Squamous Suture

The cranial suture that connects each parietal bone to its ipsilateral temporal bone.

Lambdoid Suture

The cranial suture connecting each parietal bone to the occipital bone.

Zygomatic Bone

The facial cheek bone that forms the zygomatic arch in conjunction with the zygomatic process of the temporal bone.

Nasal Bone

A facial bone that forms the bridge of the nose.

Lacrimal Bone

A facial bone containing a depression for the nasolacrimal duct.

Vomer

An unpaired facial bone forming the lower part of the nasal septum.

Inferior Nasal Concha

Plates of bone situated within the nasal cavity.

Foramen Magnum

A large opening in the occipital bone through which the spinal cord passes.

Occipital Condyles

Articular processes on the occipital bone that articulate with the superior articular processes of the atlas (C1).

Sphenoid Bone

A bat- or butterfly-shaped cranial bone featuring greater and lesser wings, and openings including the optic canal, foramen rotundum, foramen ovale, and foramen spinosum.

Mandibular Condyles

Posterior projections of the ramus of the mandible that articulate with the mandibular fossa of the temporal bones.

Coronoid Process

An anterior projection situated on the ramus of the mandible.

Mental Foramen

An opening located on the body of the mandible near the chin.

Palatine Process

A process of the maxilla forming the anterior part of the hard palate.

Hyoid Bone

A bone located in the anterior neck inferior to the mandible that does not articulate with any other bone and is anchored by ligaments.