Questions and Answers
What is the hyoid bone?
The hyoid bone is unique because it ______.
is the only bone of the body that does not articulate with any other bone.
What is the function of the hyoid bone?
Acts as an attachment site for muscles associated with swallowing.
Does the hyoid bone articulate with any other bone?
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What suspends the hyoid bone from the styloid process of the temporal bone?
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How many vertebrae are there in the adult vertebral column?
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How many vertebrae are there in the infant vertebral column?
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What are the five regions/types of vertebrae?
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How many vertebrae are there in the cervical region?
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How many vertebrae are there in the thoracic region?
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How many vertebrae does the lumbar region have?
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How many vertebrae are there in the sacral region of the adult?
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How many vertebrae are there in the sacral region of an infant?
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How many vertebrae are there in the coccygeal region of the adult?
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How many vertebrae are there in the coccygeal region in the infant?
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What are the cervical vertebrae?
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What is a transverse foramen?
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What is the vertebral foramen?
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What articulates with the occipital condyles of the skull?
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What is the function of C1?
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Which vertebra has no body and no spinous process?
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What is C2 also known as?
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What cervical vertebra contains the dens process?
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Which process articulates with C1?
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What is a tooth or peg-like process that projects upwards?
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What defines C3-C6?
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C7 is also known as?
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Why is C7 considered the most prominent vertebra?
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What defines thoracic vertebrae?
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Study Notes
Hyoid Bone
- A singular, U-shaped bone located anterior to C4 in the cervical region, situated inferior to the mandible and superior to the larynx.
- Unique in that it does not articulate with any other bone in the body.
- Functions as an attachment site for muscles related to swallowing, the tongue, and neck muscles.
- Suspended from the styloid process of the temporal bone by ligaments and muscles.
Vertebral Column
- Comprises a flexible structure of 26 vertebrae in adults and 33 in infants.
- Allows movement in various directions: anteriorly, posteriorly, and laterally.
- Functions include enclosing and protecting the spinal cord, supporting the head, and serving as an attachment for ribs.
- Divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal.
Regions of the Vertebral Column
- Cervical region contains 7 vertebrae (C1-C7).
- Thoracic region consists of 12 vertebrae (T1-T12).
- Lumbar region has 5 vertebrae.
- Sacral region includes 1 vertebra in adults, while infants have 5.
- Coccygeal region has 1 vertebra in adults and 4 in infants.
Cervical Vertebrae
- Distinctive features include smaller bodies and the presence of three foramina: vertebral foramen and transverse foramen.
- The atlas (C1) supports the skull and articulates with the occipital condyles without a body or spinous process.
- The axis (C2) has a bifid spinous process, lacks a body, and contains the odontoid process (dens) which allows head pivoting.
Specific Features of Vertebrae
- Transverse foramen: Unique to cervical vertebrae, facilitating passage of the vertebral artery, vein, and nerve.
- Vertebral foramen: A canal through which the spinal cord passes.
- C7, known as cervical prominens, is the most prominent cervical vertebra due to its large non-bifid spinous process.
Additional Notes on Vertebrae
- C3-C6: Characterized by a body and bifid spinous processes.
- Dens process, or odontoid process, is a tooth-like projection that articulates with the atlas (C1), allowing for rotational movement of the head.
Summary of Vertebral Anatomy
- C1 (Atlas): Supports the skull and lacks a body and spinous process.
- C2 (Axis): Key for head pivoting with the odontoid process; has a bifid spinous process.
- Thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12) are larger than cervical vertebrae, with spinous processes projecting inferiorly and articulating with the ribs.
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Description
This quiz covers essential information about the hyoid bone, vertebral column, sternum, and ribs. Test your knowledge with flashcards that provide definitions and details about these critical anatomical structures. Perfect for students studying human anatomy!