Chapter 7 - The skeleton (part b) provides knowledge of vertebral column and thoracic cage. This chapter describe the structure of the vertebral column, list its components, and describe its curvatures; indicate a common function of the spinal curvatures and the intervertebral discs; name and describe the bones of the thoracic cage (bony thorax); differentiate true from false ribs. | 7 The Skeleton: Part B Vertebral Column Transmits weight of trunk to lower limbs Surrounds and protects spinal cord Flexible curved structure containing 26 irregular bones (vertebrae) Cervical vertebrae (7)—vertebrae of the neck Thoracic vertebrae (12)—vertebrae of the thoracic cage Lumbar vertebrae (5)—vertebra of the lower back Sacrum—bone inferior to the lumbar vertebrae Coccyx—terminus of vertebral column Vertebral Column: Curvatures Increase the resilience and flexibility of the spine Two posteriorly concave curvatures Cervical and lumbar Two posteriorly convex curvatures Thoracic and sacral Abnormal spine curvatures Scoliosis (abnormal lateral curve) Kyphosis (hunchback) Lordosis (swayback) Figure Cervical curvature (concave) 7 vertebrae, C1–C7 Thoracic curvature (convex) 12 vertebrae, T1–T12 Lumbar curvature (concave) 5 vertebrae, L1–L5 Sacral curvature (convex) 5 fused vertebrae sacrum Coccyx 4 fused vertebrae Anterior view Right lateral view Spinous process Transverse processes Intervertebral discs Intervertebral foramen C1 Ligaments Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments From neck to sacrum Ligamentum flavum Connects adjacent vertebrae Short ligaments Connect each vertebra to those above and below Intervertebral Discs Cushionlike pad composed of two parts Nucleus pulposus Inner gelatinous nucleus that gives the disc its elasticity and compressibility Anulus fibrosus Outer collar composed of collagen and fibrocartilage Figure Supraspinous ligament Intervertebral disc Anterior longitudinal ligament Intervertebral foramen Posterior longitudinal ligament Anulus fibrosus Nucleus pulposus Sectioned body of vertebra Transverse process Sectioned spinous process Ligamentum flavum Interspinous ligament Inferior articular process Median section of three vertebrae, illustrating the composition of the discs and the ligaments Figure Vertebral spinous process (posterior aspect of vertebra) Spinal nerve root Anulus fibrosus of disc Herniated . | 7 The Skeleton: Part B Vertebral Column Transmits weight of trunk to lower limbs Surrounds and protects spinal cord Flexible curved structure containing 26 irregular bones (vertebrae) Cervical vertebrae (7)—vertebrae of the neck Thoracic vertebrae (12)—vertebrae of the thoracic cage Lumbar vertebrae (5)—vertebra of the lower back Sacrum—bone inferior to the lumbar vertebrae Coccyx—terminus of vertebral column Vertebral Column: Curvatures Increase the resilience and flexibility of the spine Two posteriorly concave curvatures Cervical and lumbar Two posteriorly convex curvatures Thoracic and sacral Abnormal spine curvatures Scoliosis (abnormal lateral curve) Kyphosis (hunchback) Lordosis (swayback) Figure Cervical curvature (concave) 7 vertebrae, C1–C7 Thoracic curvature (convex) 12 vertebrae, T1–T12 Lumbar curvature (concave) 5 vertebrae, L1–L5 Sacral curvature (convex) 5 fused vertebrae sacrum Coccyx 4 fused vertebrae Anterior view Right lateral view Spinous process Transverse .
