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Vertebral ColumnVertebral Column

General CharacteristicsGeneral Characteristics

1. Consists of 26 irregular bones1. Consists of 26 irregular bones 2. A curved structure that extends 2. A curved structure that extends

from the skull to the pelvic regionfrom the skull to the pelvic region 3. Surrounds and protects the spinal 3. Surrounds and protects the spinal

cord.cord. 4. It provides for attachment for ribs 4. It provides for attachment for ribs

and muscles of neck and back.and muscles of neck and back.

DivisionsDivisions

1. 7 cervical vertebrate1. 7 cervical vertebrate 2. 12 thoracic vertebrate2. 12 thoracic vertebrate 3. 5 lumbar vertebrate3. 5 lumbar vertebrate 4. five fused vertebrate = sacrum4. five fused vertebrate = sacrum 5. four fused vertebrate = coccyx5. four fused vertebrate = coccyx

CurvaturesCurvatures

1. Cervical and lumbar curvatures 1. Cervical and lumbar curvatures are concave posteriorly.are concave posteriorly.

2. Thoracic and sacral curvatures 2. Thoracic and sacral curvatures are convex posteriorly.are convex posteriorly.

3. These curvatures increase 3. These curvatures increase resiliency and flexibility of the spine.resiliency and flexibility of the spine.

Intervertebral DiscsIntervertebral Discs

Cushion like pads that act as shock Cushion like pads that act as shock absorbers and allow the spine to flex, absorbers and allow the spine to flex, extend, and bend laterally.extend, and bend laterally.

General Structure of VertebrateGeneral Structure of Vertebrate

1. Each vertebra has an 1. Each vertebra has an anteriorbody and a posterior anteriorbody and a posterior vertebral arch that together with the vertebral arch that together with the body form the vertebral foramen body form the vertebral foramen through which the spinal cord through which the spinal cord passes.passes.

2. The vertebral arch has 2 pedicles 2. The vertebral arch has 2 pedicles and 2 laminae. These give rise to and 2 laminae. These give rise to several projections.several projections.

A) median spinous processA) median spinous process B) 2 lateral transverse processB) 2 lateral transverse process C) Paired superior and inferior C) Paired superior and inferior

articular processes.articular processes.

3. The pedicles have notches on 3. The pedicles have notches on their superior and inferior borders their superior and inferior borders called intervertebral foramen. The called intervertebral foramen. The intervertebral foramen provide intervertebral foramen provide openings for the passage of spinal openings for the passage of spinal nerves.nerves.

Thoracic Cage aka Rib CageThoracic Cage aka Rib Cage Consists of:Consists of:

– Thoracic vertebraeThoracic vertebrae– The ribsThe ribs– The sternumThe sternum– Costal cartilageCostal cartilage

Provides for protection around the organs Provides for protection around the organs of the thoracic cavity, and provide of the thoracic cavity, and provide support for the shoulder girdles and support for the shoulder girdles and upper limbsupper limbs

SternumSternum

A flat bone made of three fused A flat bone made of three fused bones; manubrium, body, and bones; manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.xiphoid process.

The manubrium articulates with the The manubrium articulates with the clavicles.clavicles.

The body articulates with the The body articulates with the cartilage of ribs 2-7.cartilage of ribs 2-7.

Xiphoid process the inferior endXiphoid process the inferior end

RibsRibs

12 pairs12 pairs The superior seven attach directly to The superior seven attach directly to

the sternum with individual costal the sternum with individual costal cartilages. They are considered to cartilages. They are considered to be “true” ribs.be “true” ribs.

The inferior five attach indirectly or The inferior five attach indirectly or not at all to the sternum. They are not at all to the sternum. They are considered to be “false” ribs.considered to be “false” ribs.

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