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Questions and Answers
What unique feature distinguishes cervical vertebrae from other vertebrae?
What unique feature distinguishes cervical vertebrae from other vertebrae?
At what age do the sacral vertebrae typically fuse into a single structure?
At what age do the sacral vertebrae typically fuse into a single structure?
Which section of the vertebral column has vertebrae that correspond to pairs of ribs?
Which section of the vertebral column has vertebrae that correspond to pairs of ribs?
What is the primary function of the lumbar vertebrae?
What is the primary function of the lumbar vertebrae?
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What structure forms the posterior wall of the pelvic cavity?
What structure forms the posterior wall of the pelvic cavity?
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How is the pelvic cavity separated from the lower abdominal cavity?
How is the pelvic cavity separated from the lower abdominal cavity?
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What function does the pelvic girdle primarily serve?
What function does the pelvic girdle primarily serve?
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What is the function of the greater pelvis?
What is the function of the greater pelvis?
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Which component of the vertebral column is primarily responsible for absorbing shock?
Which component of the vertebral column is primarily responsible for absorbing shock?
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How many vertebrae constitute the lumbar region of the vertebral column?
How many vertebrae constitute the lumbar region of the vertebral column?
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Which curvature of the vertebral column is considered a primary curvature?
Which curvature of the vertebral column is considered a primary curvature?
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What is the feature that distinguishes the cervical vertebrae from other vertebrae?
What is the feature that distinguishes the cervical vertebrae from other vertebrae?
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Which condition is characterized by an exaggerated lumbar curvature?
Which condition is characterized by an exaggerated lumbar curvature?
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What is the primary function of the vertebral canal formed by the vertebral foramina?
What is the primary function of the vertebral canal formed by the vertebral foramina?
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Which of the following groups of vertebrae are located at the base of the spine?
Which of the following groups of vertebrae are located at the base of the spine?
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What role do intervertebral discs play between adjacent vertebrae?
What role do intervertebral discs play between adjacent vertebrae?
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What is the term used for the lower margin of the lesser pelvis?
What is the term used for the lower margin of the lesser pelvis?
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What characteristic distinguishes the female pelvis from the male pelvis?
What characteristic distinguishes the female pelvis from the male pelvis?
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How many pairs of ribs are present in the human body?
How many pairs of ribs are present in the human body?
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Which ribs are classified as true ribs?
Which ribs are classified as true ribs?
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Which part of the sternum is considered the uppermost region?
Which part of the sternum is considered the uppermost region?
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What is the role of the paranasal sinuses?
What is the role of the paranasal sinuses?
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What is the largest cavity within the skull?
What is the largest cavity within the skull?
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What type of joints mostly connect the bones of the skull?
What type of joints mostly connect the bones of the skull?
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Which cranial bone is responsible for housing the pituitary gland?
Which cranial bone is responsible for housing the pituitary gland?
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Which structure allows the passage of the spinal cord into the cranial cavity?
Which structure allows the passage of the spinal cord into the cranial cavity?
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The external acoustic pore is an opening associated with which bone?
The external acoustic pore is an opening associated with which bone?
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What is the term for the pair of bones that articulate along the midline of the skull?
What is the term for the pair of bones that articulate along the midline of the skull?
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Which type of cranial fossa accommodates the frontal lobes of the brain?
Which type of cranial fossa accommodates the frontal lobes of the brain?
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Which bone includes the external occipital protuberance?
Which bone includes the external occipital protuberance?
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Study Notes
Axial Skeleton
- The skeleton is divided into two parts: appendicular and axial
- Appendicular skeleton includes bones of the upper and lower limbs, pectoral and pelvic girdles
- Axial skeleton includes the cranium, vertebral column, ribs and sternum
Vertebral Column
- Physically supports the skull and trunk
- Allows for movement
- Protects the spinal cord
- Absorbs stresses from walking, running and lifting
- Provides attachment for the limbs, thoracic cage and postural muscles
- Consists of 33 vertebrae
- Has intervertebral discs
- Vertebral column is S-shaped
- Has 4 curves (cervical, thoracic, lumbar and pelvic)
- Thoracic and pelvic curvatures are primary
- Cervical and lumbar curvatures are secondary
Abnormal Spinal Curvatures
- Scoliosis: Abnormal lateral deviation
- Kyphosis: Exaggerated thoracic curvature (common in old age)
- Lordosis: Exaggerated lumbar curvature (common in pregnancy and obesity)
General Structure of a Vertebra
- Vertebral body: Spongy bone, weight-bearing part
- Vertebral foramen: Forms the vertebral canal
- Vertebral arch: Pedicle + lamina
- Spinous process: Prominent prominence
- Transverse process: Protrusion between lamina and pedicle, attachment point for soft tissues
Intervertebral Discs
- Cartilaginous pads between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae
- There are 23 discs
- Help bind vertebrae, enhance spinal flexibility and support the weight of the body
- Absorb shock
- Bulging can occur under stress
- Excessive stress can cause herniated disc
Regional Characteristics of Vertebrae (C1-C7)
- Relatively small
- Support the head and allow for movement
- C1 and C2 have unique structures for this purpose
- Transverse foramina occur only in C1 and C2
Thoracic Vertebrae (T1-T12)
- 12 thoracic vertebrae
- Correspond to 12 pairs of ribs attached to them
- Support the thoracic cage, enclosing the heart and lungs
Lumbar Vertebrae (L1-L5)
- 5 lumbar vertebrae
- Thick, stout bodies, adapted for bearing weight of upper body
Pelvic Skeleton
- Five sacral vertebrae (S1-S5), fuse into a single plate (sacrum) by 26
- Forms posterior wall of pelvic cavity
- Four coccygeal vertebrae (Co1-Co5) fuse to form coccyx, and protects pelvic organs
- Sacrum and Coccyx are 4 bones that form the pelvic girdle
Pelvic Girdle (Pelvis)
- Bowl-shaped structure
- Composed of sacrum, coccyx, and two hip bones (coxae)
- Ligaments and muscles forming pelvic floor
- Protects pelvic cavity viscera (mainly lower colon, urinary bladder and reproductive organs)
Pelvis (continued)
- Upper part is called greater (false) pelvis
- Lower part is called lesser (true) pelvis
- The opening of the lesser pelvis is called pelvic inlet
- The lower margin of lesser pelvis is called pelvic outlet
- Pelvis is highly sexually dimorphic (shaped differently in males and females)
Thoracic Cage
- Consists of the thoracic vertebrae, sternum and ribs
- Forms a roughly conical enclosure for the heart, lungs and pectoral girdle
Sternum
- Breastbone
- Bony plate anterior to the heart
- Subdivided into 3 regions: manubrium, body, and xiphoid process
Ribs
- 12 pairs of ribs
- Increase in length from rib 1 to 7, then progressively smaller
- First 7 ribs are called true ribs - connect to sternum
- Ribs 8-12 are false ribs - connect in a shared cartilage. Rib 11 and 12 are floating ribs - they do not connect to sternum
Skull / Cranial Cavity
- The skull is the most complex part of the skeleton. Consisting of more than 22 bones in most adults..
- Bones are connected by sutures
- Two types of bones: (1) neurocranium - surrounding the brain , (2) viscerocranium - form the face
Skull Cavities
- Cranial cavity (largest)
- Orbits (eye sockets)
- Nasal cavity
- Paranasal sinuses
- Oral cavity (mouth)
- Middle- and inner-ear cavities
Paranasal Sinuses
- Frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid and maxillary sinuses
- They lighten skull, add resonance to voice
Cranial Bones
- Frontal
- Parietal
- Temporal
- Occipital
- Sphenoid
- Ethmoid
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Description
Test your knowledge on the axial skeleton and vertebral column, including the structure and function of vertebrae, as well as abnormal spinal curvatures like scoliosis and kyphosis. This quiz covers the key concepts of human anatomy related to the skeleton system.
