Spine and Thorax

The Spine The Spine supports all of the weight of the upper body The Spine or Vertebral Column consists of 4 sections: The Cervical Curve The Thoracic Curve The Lumbar Curve The Sacrum and Coccyx The Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar are made up of 24 articulating vertebrae The Sacrum and Coccyx are made up of 9 fused vertebrae

The Parts of the Spine The Cervical Curve The Cervical Curve consists of 7 vertebrae (C1-C7) The Cervical Curve is the superior part of the spine This portion of the spine curves anteriorly The Cervical Curve

The Parts of the Spine The Thoracic Curve The Thoracic Curve consists of 12 vertebrae (T1-T12) This part of the spine articulates with the ribs of the rib cage This portion of the spine curves posteriorly The Thoracic Curve

The Parts of the Spine The Lumbar Curve The Lumbar Curve consists of 5 vertebrae (L1-L5) This portion of the spine curves anteriorly

The Parts of the Spine The Sacrum and Coccyx The Sacrum 5 fused vertebrae The Coccyx 4 fused vertebrae

The Thorax The Thorax contains and protects the principal organs of respiration and circulation The Thorax consists of: 12 ribs on each side Costal Cartilage, and The Sternum

The Sternum and Costal Cartilage The Sternum: The Sternum or Breastbone is located anteriorly to the Heart in the center of the Thorax The Sternum connects to the Rib Bones via Costal Cartilage Costal Cartilage: The bars of cartilage that connect the Sternum to the Rib Bones. They contribute to the elasticity of the walls of the Thorax.

Rib Bones 1-7 (True Ribs) Ribs 1-7: These ribs are called True Ribs True Ribs are Rib Bones that connect directly to the Sternum through Costal Cartilage

Rib Bones 8-12 (False Ribs) Ribs 8-12: These ribs are called False Ribs False Ribs do not connect directly to the Sternum Ribs 8-10 connect to the Costal Cartilage of the ribs just above them Ribs 11 and 12 are called Floating Ribs and they do not connect to anything anteriorly