Anatomy of the Sacrum
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Questions and Answers

What is the shape of the sacrum bone?

  • Rectangular
  • Wedge-shaped (correct)
  • Circular
  • Triangular

    • How many vertebrae are fused together to form the sacrum?

  • 5 (correct)
  • 3
  • 4
  • 6

    • What is the function of the four foramina on each side of the sacrum?

  • Articulation with the iliac bones
  • Passage of anterior and posterior rami of the upper four sacral nerves (correct)
  • Formation of the sacral hiatus
  • Passage of the anterior and posterior roots of the sacral and coccygeal spinal nerves

    • What is the purpose of the sacral canal?

    <p>To contain the anterior and posterior roots of the sacral and coccygeal spinal nerves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many vertebrae are fused together to form the coccyx?

    <p>4</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the sacral hiatus?

    <p>To form an opening due to the failure of the laminae to meet in the midline</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of the vertebral column?

    <p>To transmit body weight to the lower limbs and support the skull, pectoral girdle, upper limbs, and thoracic cage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many bones make up the vertebral column?

    <p>26 bones</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the intervertebral discs?

    <p>To provide flexibility to the vertebral column</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the spinous process?

    <p>To serve as a lever for muscles and ligaments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the space that runs through the vertebral arch?

    <p>Vertebral foramen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the intervertebral foramina in an articulated skeleton?

    <p>To transmit the spinal nerves and blood vessels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many articular processes does a typical vertebra have?

    <p>Two superior and two inferior processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the vertebral arch?

    <p>To protect the spinal cord and its coverings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of the transverse processes of a typical cervical vertebra?

    <p>They possess a foramen transversarium for the passage of the vertebral artery and veins</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the bony structure that forms the lower part of the vertebral column?

    <p>Sacrum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about the articular surfaces of the superior and inferior articular processes of a typical cervical vertebra?

    <p>The superior processes have facets that face posteriorly and superiorly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cervical vertebrae are atypical?

    <p>C1, C2, and C7</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a unique feature of the atlas (C1)?

    <p>It has an anterior and posterior arch</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the foramen transversarium in cervical vertebrae?

    <p>To pass the vertebral artery and veins</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about the vertebral foramen of a typical cervical vertebra?

    <p>It is large and triangular</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the atlanto-occipital joints?

    <p>To connect the atlas to the occipital bone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cervical vertebra has a peglike odontoid process?

    <p>Axis (2nd cervical vertebra)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the shape of the vertebral foramen in a typical thoracic vertebra?

    <p>Circular</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where are costal facets present in a typical thoracic vertebra?

    <p>On both the sides of the bodies and transverse processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of a typical lumbar vertebra?

    <p>Kidney-shaped body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the shape of the spinous processes in a typical lumbar vertebra?

    <p>Short and flat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the direction of the pedicles in a typical lumbar vertebra?

    <p>Backward</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not a characteristic of a typical lumbar vertebra?

    <p>Facets for articulation with ribs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cervical vertebra is also known as the vertebra prominens?

    <p>C7 (7th cervical vertebra)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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!

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