Applied Human Anatomy - Spinal Column, Trunk Skeletal, and Trunk Movements

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the osteology, arthrology, syndesmology, curvatures, and kinematics of the spinal column and thoracic cage.

Axial Skeleton

The central supporting axis of the body, which includes the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage.

Appendicular Skeleton

The skeletal division consisting of the upper limbs and pectoral girdle, along with the lower limbs and pelvic girdle.

Vertebral Column

A flexible column consisting of a chain of $33$ vertebrae and intervertebral discs, including $24$ individual articulating vertebrae, the sacrum, and the coccyx.

Primary Curvatures

The spinal curves present during fetal development, consisting of the thoracic and sacral curvatures.

Secondary Curvatures

The spinal curves that appear at $3\text{--}4\text{ months}$ of age, consisting of the cervical and lumbar curvatures.

Scoliosis

An abnormal spinal condition characterized by excessive lateral curvature of the vertebral column.

Kyphosis

An abnormal spinal condition ("hunchback") characterized by excessive posterior thoracic curvature and increased anterior concavity of the thoracic curve.

Lordosis

An abnormal spinal condition ("swayback") characterized by excessive anterior lumbar curvature and increased posterior concavity of the lumbar and cervical curves.

Vertebral Body

The anterior, thick, disc-shaped weight-bearing region of a vertebra.

Vertebral Foramen

The opening formed by the vertebral body and vertebral arch that collectively aligns to form the vertebral canal housing the spinal cord.

Pedicle

A short, thick bony projection forming the anterior "foot" of the vertebral arch that joins the body to the posterior elements.

Lamina

The posterior flattened plate of bone extending from the pedicle on each side to complete the vertebral arch posteriorly.

Spinous Process

A posterior projection extending from the junction of the laminae of a vertebra that serves as an attachment site for muscles and ligaments.

Transverse Process

A bony process that projects laterally from the junction of the pedicle and lamina on each side of a vertebra.

Nucleus Pulposus

The gelatinous central portion of an intervertebral disc that acts as a cushion-like pad to absorb shock.

Annulus Fibrosus

The outer ring of fibrocartilage surrounding an intervertebral disc that limits expansion of the nucleus pulposus.

Atlas (C1)

The first cervical vertebra; it lacks a body, supports the skull, has superior articular surfaces for the occipital condyles, and allows the "yes" motion.

Axis (C2)

The second cervical vertebra, characterized by the tooth-like dens that acts as a pivot around which C1 rotates to allow the "no" motion.

Dens (Odontoid Process)

A prominent, peg-like vertical process projecting superiorly from the axis (C2) to provide the axis of rotation for the atlas.

Vertebra Prominens (C7)

The seventh cervical vertebra, characterized by a long, prominent spinous process that can be palpated along the posterior midline when flexing the neck.

Thoracic Vertebrae

A series of $12$ vertebrae distinguished by costal facets (foveas) for rib attachment and long, pointed, downward-angled spinous processes.

Lumbar Vertebrae

A series of $5$ large vertebrae with thick, stout bodies, blunt square-ish spinous processes, and articular processes facing laterally and medially.

Sacrum

A triangular bone formed by the fusion of $5$ sacral vertebrae between approximately ages $16$ and $26$, forming the posterior wall of the pelvic cavity.

Coccyx

The "tailbone," composed of $4$ (or $5$) small vertebrae that fuse by the age of $20$ to provide an attachment point for pelvic floor muscles.

Atlantooccipital Joint

The first craniovertebral joint, formed by the occipital condyles of the skull sitting on the articular fossae of C1; it is a double condyloid joint permitting capital flexion, extension, slight lateral flexion, and circumduction.

Atlantoaxial Joint

A pivot joint between the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) where most cervical rotation occurs; it is the most mobile articulation between any two vertebrae.

Transverse Ligament of the Atlas

An atlantoaxial ligament (also known as the "hangman's ligament") that connects the transverse processes of the atlas and secures the dens in place against the anterior arch.

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

A relatively weak interbody ligament that runs the entire anterior length of the spinal column across the vertebral bodies and discs.

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

An interbody ligament running the entire posterior length of the vertebral bodies, forming the anterior wall of the spinal canal.

Ligamentum Flavum

A spinal ligament that connects the successive laminae of adjacent vertebrae.

Interspinous Ligament

A ligament that connects and runs between adjacent spinous processes of vertebrae.

Supraspinous Ligament

A continuous fibrous cord that connects the posterior dorsal tips of the spinous processes from C7 to the sacrum.

Ligamentum Nuchae

The sagittal midline ligament in the neck representing the cranial expansion of the supraspinous ligament, extending from C7 to the external occipital protuberance.

Manubrium

The upper "necktie knot" region of the sternum featuring the suprasternal notch and bilateral clavicular notches.

Suprasternal Notch

The central depression located along the superior margin of the manubrium of the sternum at the base of the throat.

Xiphoid Process

The small, inferior cartilaginous/bony region of the sternum that provides an attachment point for abdominal muscles.

True Ribs

Rib pairs $1$ through $7$ ($n = 7$), each attaching directly to the sternum through its own individual strip of costal cartilage.

False Ribs

Rib pairs $8$ through $12$ ($n = 5$), which lack an independent cartilaginous attachment to the sternum (ribs $8\text{--}10$ attach to the cartilage of rib $7$, and ribs $11\text{--}12$ are floating).

Floating Ribs

Rib pairs $11$ and $12$ ($n = 2$), which have no connection to the sternum or costal cartilages and terminate embedded within surrounding muscles.

Chondrosternal Joint

An amphiarthrodial joint between the costal cartilages of ribs $2\text{--}7$ and the sternum that permits elevation of the ribs.

Costochondral Joint

A synarthrodial or amphiarthrodial articulation connecting the anterior end of each rib to its costal cartilage via continuity of periosteum to perichondrium without distinct ligaments.

Interchondral Joint

A synarthrodial joint located between the costal cartilages of ribs $6\text{--}9$.

Corpocapitate Joint

A costovertebral gliding joint formed by the head of a rib articulating with the superior and inferior costal facets of the thoracic vertebral bodies.

Costotransverse Joint

A costovertebral gliding joint formed by the articulation between the tubercle of each of the first $10$ ribs and the transverse costal facet of the matching vertebra.

Costoxiphoid Ligament

A thoracic ligament that connects the costal cartilage of the $7\text{th}$ rib to the xiphoid process.