Vertebral Column & Bony Thorax

Cervical Region

Neck region; 7 unfused vertebrae.

Thoracic Region

Chest region; 12 unfused vertebrae.

Lumbar Region

Lower back; 5 unfused vertebrae.

Sacral Region

Saddle shaped composite bone.

Coccyx Region

Composite bone; also known as tailbone.

Intervertebral Discs

Fibrocartilage pads between vertebrae.

Scoliosis

A lateral curvature of the spine.

Kyphosis

An exaggerated thoracic curvature.

Lordosis

An exaggerated lumbar curvature.

Vertebrae Body (centrum)

Weight bearing portion of vertebrae.

Vertebral Arch

Circle of bone around the vertebral foramen; formed by the pedicle & lamina.

Vertebral Foramen

Opening for passage of spinal cord.

Transverse Process

Lateral projections (on right and left) of each vertebrae.

Spinous Process

Posterior projection; can be felt through skin.

Articular Facets

There are inferior and superior

Intervetebral Foramen

Space between vertebrae to allow for passage of nerves.

C1 (Atlas)

Articulates with the occipital condyles

Bifid (forked) Spinous Processes

Only POSSIBLY on C2 through C6

C2 (axis)

The dens of this bone sticks up into the vertebral foramen of C1

Transverse Facets

Only found in the thoracic region so that the ribs can articulate

Lumbar Vertebrae

Strongest vertebrae in the body, mainly used for load bearing

Sternum

breastbone

Manubrium

Top bone of the sternum

Sternum Body

Middle bone of the sternum

Xiphoid Process

Very bottom of the sternum

True Ribs

Ribs 1-7 because they have their own piece of costal cartilage that connects it to the sternum

False Ribs

Ribs 8-10 because they aren't directly attached to the sternum

Floating Ribs (11, 12)

Ribs that have no anterior attachment

Intercostal Space

Space between the ribs

Thoracic Vertebrae

characterized by long sharp spinous process and facets for articulation with the ribs.

cervical curvature

curvature (1) in photo; Secondary spinal curvature that develops in a child as a result of supporting the weight of the head on their own

lumbar curvature

curvature (3) in photo; Secondary spinal curvature that develops as a result of walking.

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