Vertebral Column (Spine) & Bony Thorax

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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: 1st cervical vertebra (supports the skull)• Axis: 2nd cervical vertebra (forms pivot around

which atlas rotates to allow for movement of the head)

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Thoracic Vertebrae• Chest region – 12• Contain rib facets (costal pits) which allow the

ribs to attach [usually 3 facets/vertebra]

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Lumbar Vertebrae• Lower back - 5• Largest vertebrae; support weight of body

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Sacrum• 5 fused vertebrae• Form the back of the pelvis; contain foramina

for the passage of blood vessels

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Coccyx

• 4 fused vertebrae• Form the “tailbone”

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Intervertebral Foramina(Vertebral Foramen)

• Openings through which the spinal cord passes

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Intervertebral discs

• Fibrocartilage discs found between the vertebrae that allow for movement & shock absorption

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Spinal Curves

• There are 4 normal curves to the spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, & sacral.

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Lumbar puncture• Procedure done to examine CSF or to

administer anesthetic during childbirth; made between the 3rd & 4th or 4th & 5th lumbar vertebrae because the spinal cord ends in the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

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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

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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

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The End.