vertebral column

Lecture:  Vertebral Column


Function: 

  1. Protection of the spinal cord

  2. Support for the weight of the head and trunk 



Vertebral Structures

Body- vertebral bodies together support the weight of the head and trunk 


Pedicles, Lamina, & Spinous process: all form the vertebral arch around the vertebral foramen to house and protect the spinal cord


Superior articulating process- vertebrae above attaches here to facets by cartilage 

Inferior articulating process- joins to facets of the next inferior vertebrae 


Transverse process & Spinous process; are attachment points for muscles/ ligaments


Transverse foramen- allows passage of blood vessels to the brain 



Cervical- 7 vertebrae

Cervical #1- ringlike in form with no real body; called the “Atlas”

  • Articulates with the occipital condyles to support and balance the head

  • Allows the head to “yes” type motions 


Cervical #2- “Axis” has a very small body

  • Contains a process that protrudes into the ring of the Atlas called the Odontoid process (or dens) allows “no” type of motion

Thoracic- 12 vertebrae

From T1 on, they increase in size and strength to account for the added weight they bear









Lumbar- 5 vertebrae

Designed for strength and weight bearing












Sacrum- 

  • 5 fused vertebrae designed for strength and support of body weight above and the lower limbs below 

  • Remnants of  spinous processes are ridges or tubercles 

  • Row of openings: allow passage of blood vessels and nerves 

If viewed posteriorly are called Dorsal sacral foramina

If viewed anteriorly are called Pelvic sacral foramina

  • Sacral canal- allow for continuation of the spinal cord down to the Sacral Hiatus 







Thoracic cage

Composed of 12 thoracic vertebrae, 12 pairs of ribs (24), the sternum, and costal cartilage to attach the ribs to the sternum 



Sternum-

3 sections 

  1. Manubrium- upper widened area that serves as an attachment for the clavicles and the superior pair of ribs 

  2. Middle (body)- attachment point by costal cartilage of the rest of the true ribs directly and the false ribs indirectly 

  3. Xiphoid process- small protrusion on the inferior portion of the sternum 




Ribs: 12 pair (24) 

  1. 7 pair of true ribs attach directly to the sternum 

  2. 3 pair of False ribs attach to the costal cartilage of the ribs above. 2 pair do not attach anteriorly (floating ribs) 

  3. Ribs attach to vertebra by facets on the head of the rib and a tubercle just below the head of the rib