WEEK 4 - spinal cord and ribs

cervical vertebrae

there are 7 of these, and 8 nerves associated. found at the top of the spinal cord and contain transverse foramen

thoracic vertebrae

12 of these. found in the middle of the spinal cord

lumbar vertebrae

5 of these and 5 nerves, most inferior of the spinal cord

conus medullaris

lowest tapering part of spinal cord (between thoracic and lumbar)

cauda equina

bundle of nerves at the base of the spinal cord

sacral spinal nerves

5 of these nerves. located just above the coccygeal nerve

coccygeal nerve

one of these nerves. located at the distal end of spinal cord, below the sacral spinal nerves

filum terminale

bonds the spinal cord bottom to the coccyx

vertebral foramen

large hole in the center of the vertebrae. passage for the spinal cord

transverse foramen

holes only found on cervical vertebrae. vertebral artery passes through these holes

atlas

cervical vertebra #1 pivots on the axis

axis

cervical vertebra #2 has a structure called the dens

spinous process

posterior portion of the vertebra

vertebral body

anterior portion of the vertebra

transverse processes

projections extending lateral to the vertebral foramen

lamina

curved area between the transverse process and the spinous process

pedicle

“stem” between transverse process and the vertebral body

sacral foramina

paired holes on the sacrum

median sacral crest

a bumpy ridge medial to the sacral foramina, on the posterior side

sacral promontory

center ‘plateau’ flattened area of the sacrum. articulates with lumbar vertebra #5

sacra ala

lateral area of the sacrum that provides attachment for massive muscles

transverse lines

anterior ridges between the sacral foramina

sacral canal

on the posterior of the sacrum, goes under the median sacral crest

sacral hiatus

opening at the inferior end of the sacral canal. the filum terminale and the coccygeal nerves pass through this opening

manubrium

immediately inferior to the jugular notch (rib 1 and 2 connect here)

xiphoid process

most inferior pointy aspect of the sternum

body of the sternum

in between manubrium and xiphoid process. ribs 3-7 attach here

vertebrosternal ribs

ribs 1-7

vertebrochondral ribs

ribs 8-10

vertebral ribs

ribs 11-12