1. Vertebral Column/Thoracic Cage

2. Vertebral Column: Connects skull to pelvis Composed of vertebra(e) and intervertebral disks Function: (1) supports head, neck, & trunk (2) Protects spinal cord

3. Typical Vertebrae Body: thick, anterior portion IV discs: cusion and soften forces (walking, jumping) Laminae: fuse to become spinous process (when laminae do not fuse = spina bifida)

4. …continued Spinous process: posterior projection Vertebral foramen: spinal cord passes through this Intervertebral foramina: spinal nerves pass through this

5. Cervical Vertebrae (c1-c7) Transverse foramina: in transverse process; for arteries leading to brain Spinous processes of 2-5 are forked (provides muscle attachments)

6. …continued 1 st : atlas Supports the head / facets articulate with occipital condyles 2 nd : axis –Has toothlike dens (odontoid process) that lies in atlas (functions to pivot head)

7. Thoracic Vertebrae (T1-T12) Larger than cervical How many? 12 Characteristics: –Spinous processes pointed and downward -T3 on…get larger

8. Lumbar Vertebrae (L1-L5) How many? 5 Characteristics: Larger/stronger bodies Support more weight

9. Sacrum Made up of 5 fused vertebrae Characteristics: –Spinous processes fuse to form tubercles Dorsal sacral foramina: nerves/blood vessels; posterior Pelvic sacral foramina: nerves/blood vessels; ventral Sacral canal: formed from vertebral foramina Sacral hiatus: tip of sacral canal

10. Coccyx 3-5 fused vertebrae Characteristics: -ligaments attach to hiatus

11. Thoracic Cage Includes: –Sternum –Ribs –Vertebral column –Function: support shoulder Girdle and arms, protect viscera, Play role in breathing

12. Ribs How many pairs? 12 12 pairs align with each of the 12 thoracic vertebrae Ribs 1-7 = True Ribs –Join sternum directly by costal cartilage

13. Ribs 8-12= False Ribs -Do not directly join sternum Ribs 8, 9, 10 = join 7 th rib Ribs 11, 12 = do not join = FLOATING Ribs

14. Sternum Aka breastbone, chestbone Manubrium: most superior portion Body: middle; majority of the sternum Xiphoid process: inferior tip of sternum