axial skelton

Vertebral Structure

• Typical Vertebra Features:

  • Body

  • Vertebral Foramen

  • Transverse Processes

  • Transverse Foramen (cervical vertebrae only)

  • Spinous Process

  • Intervertebral foramen

Vertebral Column Classification

• Cervical Vertebrae (7 total):

  • Atlas (C-1)

  • Axis (C-2)

  • Typical cervical vertebra (C3-C7)

• Thoracic Vertebrae (12 total):

  • Typical thoracic vertebra

  • Ribs anchor only to thoracic vertebrae

• Lumbar Vertebrae (5 total):

  • Typical lumbar vertebra

• Sacrum (5 fused vertebrae)

• Coccyx (3 to 5 fused irregular vertebrae)

Sternum Features

• Sternum Parts:

  • Manubrium

  • Body

  • Xiphoid Process

Rib Cage Structure

• Ribs (12 pairs):

  • 7 pairs of true ribs

  • 5 pairs of false ribs

  • 2 pairs of floating ribs

Axial Skeleton Overview

• Lab Assignment: Identify 25 axial skeleton structures from memory.

Skull Anatomy

• Cranial Bones:

  • Frontal

  • Parietal:

  • Sagittal suture

  • Coronal suture

  • Temporal:

  • Squamous suture

  • External acoustic meatus

  • Styloid process

  • Mastoid process

  • Occipital:

  • Lambdoid suture

  • Foramen magnum

  • Occipital condyles (articulate with C1)

  • Sphenoid:

  • Greater wings

  • Hypophyseal fossa

  • Lesser wings

  • Optic canal

  • Ethmoid:

  • Cribriform plate

  • Olfactory foramina

• Facial Bones:

  • Mandible:

  • Condylar process

  • Mental foramen

  • Maxillae: anchors superior teeth

  • Palatine: posterior hard palate

  • Zygomatic:

  • Zygomatic arch

  • Lacrimal

  • Nasal

  • Inferior Nasal Conchae

  • Vomer: part of nasal septum

  • Hyoid: know its appearance and location.