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Questions and Answers
What is the shape of the sacrum bone?
What is the shape of the sacrum bone?
How many vertebrae are fused together to form the sacrum?
How many vertebrae are fused together to form the sacrum?
What is the function of the four foramina on each side of the sacrum?
What is the function of the four foramina on each side of the sacrum?
What is the purpose of the sacral canal?
What is the purpose of the sacral canal?
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How many vertebrae are fused together to form the coccyx?
How many vertebrae are fused together to form the coccyx?
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What is the purpose of the sacral hiatus?
What is the purpose of the sacral hiatus?
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What is the main function of the vertebral column?
What is the main function of the vertebral column?
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How many bones make up the vertebral column?
How many bones make up the vertebral column?
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What is the purpose of the intervertebral discs?
What is the purpose of the intervertebral discs?
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What is the function of the spinous process?
What is the function of the spinous process?
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What is the name of the space that runs through the vertebral arch?
What is the name of the space that runs through the vertebral arch?
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What is the function of the intervertebral foramina in an articulated skeleton?
What is the function of the intervertebral foramina in an articulated skeleton?
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How many articular processes does a typical vertebra have?
How many articular processes does a typical vertebra have?
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What is the purpose of the vertebral arch?
What is the purpose of the vertebral arch?
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What is a characteristic of the transverse processes of a typical cervical vertebra?
What is a characteristic of the transverse processes of a typical cervical vertebra?
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What is the name of the bony structure that forms the lower part of the vertebral column?
What is the name of the bony structure that forms the lower part of the vertebral column?
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What is true about the articular surfaces of the superior and inferior articular processes of a typical cervical vertebra?
What is true about the articular surfaces of the superior and inferior articular processes of a typical cervical vertebra?
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Which cervical vertebrae are atypical?
Which cervical vertebrae are atypical?
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What is a unique feature of the atlas (C1)?
What is a unique feature of the atlas (C1)?
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What is the function of the foramen transversarium in cervical vertebrae?
What is the function of the foramen transversarium in cervical vertebrae?
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What is true about the vertebral foramen of a typical cervical vertebra?
What is true about the vertebral foramen of a typical cervical vertebra?
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What is the function of the atlanto-occipital joints?
What is the function of the atlanto-occipital joints?
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Which cervical vertebra has a peglike odontoid process?
Which cervical vertebra has a peglike odontoid process?
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What is the shape of the vertebral foramen in a typical thoracic vertebra?
What is the shape of the vertebral foramen in a typical thoracic vertebra?
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Where are costal facets present in a typical thoracic vertebra?
Where are costal facets present in a typical thoracic vertebra?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of a typical lumbar vertebra?
Which of the following is a characteristic of a typical lumbar vertebra?
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What is the shape of the spinous processes in a typical lumbar vertebra?
What is the shape of the spinous processes in a typical lumbar vertebra?
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What is the direction of the pedicles in a typical lumbar vertebra?
What is the direction of the pedicles in a typical lumbar vertebra?
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Which of the following is not a characteristic of a typical lumbar vertebra?
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a typical lumbar vertebra?
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Which cervical vertebra is also known as the vertebra prominens?
Which cervical vertebra is also known as the vertebra prominens?
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Study Notes
Sacrum
- The sacrum is a wedge-shaped bone formed by the fusion of five rudimentary vertebrae.
- It is concave anteriorly and has a narrow inferior border that articulates with the coccyx.
- Laterally, it articulates with the two iliac bones to form the sacroiliac joints.
- The sacral canal contains the anterior and posterior roots of the sacral and coccygeal spinal nerves.
- The anterior and posterior surfaces of the sacrum each have four foramina on each side for the passage of the anterior and posterior rami of the upper four sacral nerves.
Coccyx
- The coccyx is a small triangular bone formed by the fusion of four vertebrae.
- It articulates at its base with the lower end of the sacrum.
- The first coccygeal vertebra is usually not fused or is incompletely fused with the second vertebra.
Vertebral Column
- The vertebral column is the central bony pillar of the body and supports the skull, pectoral girdle, upper limbs, and thoracic cage.
- It transmits body weight to the lower limbs through the pelvic girdle.
- The vertebral column is composed of 33 vertebrae: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused to form the sacrum), and 4 coccygeal.
- It has a segmented and flexible structure due to its composition of vertebrae, joints, and intervertebral discs.
General Characteristics of a Vertebra
- A typical vertebra consists of a rounded body anteriorly and a vertebral arch posteriorly, which enclose a space called the vertebral foramen.
- The vertebral arch gives rise to seven processes: one spinous, two transverse, and four articular.
- The spinous process is directed posteriorly from the junction of the two laminae.
- The transverse processes are directed laterally from the junction of the laminae and the pedicles.
- The articular processes are vertically arranged and consist of two superior and two inferior processes.
Cervical Vertebra
- A typical cervical vertebra has transverse processes with a foramen transversarium for the passage of the vertebral artery and veins.
- The spines are small and bifid.
- The body is small and broad from side to side.
- The vertebral foramen is large and triangular.
- The superior articular processes have facets that face posteriorly and superiorly; the inferior processes have facets that face inferiorly and anteriorly.
Atypical Cervical Vertebrae
- The 1st cervical vertebra (atlas) does not possess a body or a spinous process.
- The 2nd cervical vertebra (axis) has a peg-like odontoid process (dens) that projects from the superior surface of the body.
- The 7th cervical vertebra (vertebra prominens) has the longest spinous process, and the process is not bifid.
Thoracic Vertebra
- A typical thoracic vertebra has a medium-sized, heart-shaped body.
- The vertebral foramen is small and circular.
- The spines are long and inclined downward.
- Costal facets are present on the sides of the bodies and transverse processes for articulation with the heads and tubercles of the ribs.
Lumbar Vertebra
- A typical lumbar vertebra has a large, kidney-shaped body.
- The pedicles are strong and directed backward.
- The laminae are short in a vertical dimension.
- The vertebral foramina are triangular.
- The transverse processes are long and slender.
- The spinous processes are short, flat, and quadrangular and project posteriorly.
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Description
Learn about the structure and function of the sacrum, a wedge-shaped bone formed by five fused vertebrae, and its articulations with surrounding bones. Quiz yourself on the details of this important part of the vertebral column!