Synch Lec 2 - Vertebral Column + Thoracic Cage Quiz

Vertebral Column Basics

• The cervical region contains the smallest vertebral bodies.
• The vertebral column consists of 33 separate bones.
• The primary curvature of the spine that is concave anteriorly is the thoracic curvature.
• Cervical lordosis develops during infancy as the baby gains head control.

Vertebral Connections

• Pedicles connect the vertebral body to the transverse processes.
• Laminae connect the transverse processes to the spinous process.
• The vertebral arch and the body of the vertebra have an opening known as the intervertebral foramina.

Spinal Nerves and Vertebrae

• There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves that exit off the spinal cord.
• The part of the vertebra that connects the body to the transverse processes is called the lamina.

Curvatures of the Spine

• Lordotic curvature develops when children start standing and walking.
• The cervical and lumbar regions of the vertebral column form lordotic curvatures.

Atlas and Thoracic Vertebrae

• The atlas (C1) has no body and no spinous process; it supports the skull.
• T11 and T12 thoracic vertebrae have no facets on the transverse processes.

Thoracic Cage Components

• The thoracic cage consists of 12 pairs of ribs, the sternum, and the thoracic vertebrae.
• The manubrium is the part of the sternum that articulates with the clavicles and the first two costal cartilages.

Rib Anatomy

• The 1st rib has a tubercle on its inner border for the anterior scalene muscle attachment.
• Ribs 11 and 12 have a single articular facet on the head and lack neck or tubercle.
• The costal groove on the ribs accommodates the intercostal vessels and nerves.
• The head of the ribs has two semi-facets for articulation with the corresponding and adjacent vertebrae.
• The sternal angle marks the approximate level of the 2nd pair of costal cartilages.

Sacrum and Coccyx

• The sacrum consists of five fused vertebrae that form a wedge-shaped bone.
• The intervertebral discs function to absorb shock between vertebral bodies.
• The coccyx is formed from the fusion of four vertebrae.
• The auricular surface of the sacrum articulates with the hip bones at the sacroiliac joints.
• There are four pairs of posterior sacral foramina present in the sacrum.
• The alae on the sides of the first sacral vertebra are the two triangular flat surfaces.

Disc Anatomy

• The annulus fibrosus refers to the concentric rings of fibrocartilage that secure the nucleus pulposus in place within intervertebral discs.
• The nucleus pulposus is a semi-gelatinous mass that acts as a shock absorber in the vertebral column.

Miscellaneous Features

• The most distinctive feature of C7 is a prominent spinous process, often referred to as the vertebra prominens.
• The only exceptional feature of C2 (axis) is the presence of the odontoid process (dens).
• The lumbar region of the vertebral column has the largest vertebral bodies.

Additional Notes

• Intervertebral discs make up approximately 50% of the height of the vertebral column.
• The structure created by the combination of laminae and pedicles is called the vertebral arch.
• The transverse ligament of the atlas holds the odontoid process of C2 in place.
• The 1st rib articulates only with T1, and the 2nd rib articulates only with T2.
• The 4th rib articulates with T3 and T4 thoracic vertebrae.
• Atypical ribs include ribs 1, 2, 11, and 12 due to their unique articulations.

Test your knowledge on the attachments and functions of the upper limb muscles, as well as the classification of the thoracic cage and its rib attachments. Learn about the structures that protect the organs and support the mammary glands.