Vertebral Column (Spine) & Bony Thorax
Vertebral Column Functions Support the trunk Provide a place for the ribs & pelvis to attach Permit movement House & protect the spinal cord
Cervical Vertebrae Neck Region – 7 Atlas: 1 st cervical vertebra (supports the skull) Axis: 2 nd cervical vertebra (forms pivot around which atlas rotates to allow for movement of the head)
Thoracic Vertebrae Chest region – 12 Contain rib facets (costal pits) which allow the ribs to attach [usually 3 facets/vertebra]
Lumbar Vertebrae Lower back - 5 Largest vertebrae; support weight of body
Sacrum 5 fused vertebrae Form the back of the pelvis; contain foramina for the passage of blood vessels
Coccyx 4 fused vertebrae Form the “tailbone”
Intervertebral Foramina (Vertebral Foramen) Openings through which the spinal cord passes
Intervertebral discs Fibrocartilage discs found between the vertebrae that allow for movement & shock absorption
Spinal Curves There are 4 normal curves to the spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, & sacral.
Lumbar puncture Procedure done to examine CSF or to administer anesthetic during childbirth; made between the 3 rd & 4 th or 4 th & 5 th lumbar vertebrae because the spinal cord ends in the 2 nd lumbar vertebra.
Bony Thorax (Thoracic Cage) Consist of the ribs, sternum, & thoracic vertebrae Protects the heart, lungs & major blood vessels
Ribs Rib Pairs 1 – 7 = True ribs – have a direct connection with the sternum via costal cartilage
Ribs Rib Pairs 8 – 10 = False ribs – have an indirect connection with the sternum via costal cartilage
Ribs Rib Pairs 11 – 12 = Floating ribs – not connected to the sternum
Ribs
Sternum (breastbone) Consists of 3 parts: -manubrium – upper part of sternum; attached to clavicles by ligaments -body – middle portion; long narrow bone -xiphoid process – lowest portion of sternum; begins as cartilage but ossifies with age
Sternum
The End.