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Questions and Answers
The lumbar vertebrae are part of the cervical region of the vertebral column.
The lumbar vertebrae are part of the cervical region of the vertebral column.
False
The transverse processes of cervical vertebrae encircle transverse foramina to protect arteries and veins.
The transverse processes of cervical vertebrae encircle transverse foramina to protect arteries and veins.
True
The articular processes of vertebrae contain articular facets on their lateral faces.
The articular processes of vertebrae contain articular facets on their lateral faces.
True
The sacrum articulates with the fifth lumbar vertebra.
The sacrum articulates with the fifth lumbar vertebra.
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Thoracic vertebrae have larger vertebral foramina compared to cervical vertebrae.
Thoracic vertebrae have larger vertebral foramina compared to cervical vertebrae.
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The skull is composed of 22 bones, including 8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones.
The skull is composed of 22 bones, including 8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones.
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The only mobile joint in the skull is the coronal suture.
The only mobile joint in the skull is the coronal suture.
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There are 12 cervical vertebrae in the vertebral column.
There are 12 cervical vertebrae in the vertebral column.
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The hyoid bone is classified as one of the skull bones.
The hyoid bone is classified as one of the skull bones.
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The facial skeleton includes the mandible, which is a paired bone.
The facial skeleton includes the mandible, which is a paired bone.
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Study Notes
Skull
- The skull is the skeleton of the head and neck, encompassing the skull, middle ear ossicles, hyoid bone, and cervical vertebrae.
- The skull is made up of several separate bones connected by immobile joints called sutures, with the exception of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), which is a mobile synovial joint.
- The skull contains 22 bones, divided into the cranial skeleton (8 bones) surrounding the brain, and the facial skeleton (14 bones).
-
Cranium Bones:
- Frontal bone: one bone
- Ethmoid bone: one bone
- Sphenoid bone: one bone
- Occipital bone: one bone
- Parietal bones: paired (2 bones)
- Temporal bones: paired (2 bones)
-
Facial Skeleton:
- Zygomatic bones: paired (2 bones)
- Maxillae: paired (2 bones)
- Nasal bones: paired (2 bones)
- Lacrimal bones: paired (2 bones)
- Palatine bones: paired (2 bones)
- Inferior conchae: paired (2 bones)
- Mandible: one bone
- Vomer: one bone
Vertebral Column
-
Neck (Cervical):
- 7 cervical vertebrae
-
Upper Back (Thoracic):
- 12 thoracic vertebrae
- Each articulates with one or more pairs of ribs
-
Lower Back (Lumbar):
- 5 lumbar vertebrae
-
Sacrum and Coccyx:
- The fifth lumbar vertebra connects to the sacrum
- The sacrum connects to the coccyx
Structure of Vertebrae
-
Vertebral Body (Centrum):
- Transfers weight down the spine
-
Vertebral Arch:
- Posterior margin of the vertebral foramen
-
Articular Processes:
- Lateral projections between laminae and pedicles
Vertebral Arch Components
- Pedicles: Walls of the vertebral arch
- Laminae: Roof of the vertebral arch
- Spinous process: Projection where vertebral laminae fuse
- Transverse Process: Projection where laminae join pedicles
Articular Processes
-
Superior articular process:
- Has articular facets on its articular faces
-
Inferior articular process:
- Has articular facets on its articular faces
-
Intervertebral Foramina:
- Gaps between pedicles of adjacent vertebrae
- Provide passage for nerve connections to the spinal cord
-
Vertebral Canal:
- Formed by vertebral foramina
- Encloses the spinal cord
-
Intervertebral Discs:
- Pads of fibrous cartilage
- Separate vertebral bodies
- Absorb shocks
Regions of the Vertebral Column
- Cervical (C)
- Thoracic (T)
- Lumbar (L)
- Sacral (S)
- Coccygeal (Co)
Cervical Vertebrae (C1-C7)
-
Transverse processes:
- Are fused to costal processes
- Encircle transverse foramina, protecting arteries and veins
-
Atlas (C1):
- Articulates with occipital condyles of the skull
- Has no body or spinous process
- Has a large, round foramen within the anterior and posterior arches
-
Axis (C2):
- Supports the atlas
- Has a heavy spinous process for attaching muscles of the head and neck
- The bodies of the axis and atlas fuse during development to form the dens
-
Vertebra Prominens (C7):
- Transitions to thoracic vertebrae
- Has a long spinous process with a broad tubercle
- Has large transverse processes
Thoracic Vertebrae (T1-T12)
- Have heart-shaped bodies
- Larger bodies than C1-C7
- Smaller vertebral foramen than C1-C7
- Long, slender spinous processes
- Have costal facets on the dorsolateral surface of the body for articulation with ribs
Thoracic Vertebrae (T1-T10)
- Have transverse costal facets for rib articulation
Ribs at T1-T10
- Contact costal and transverse costal facets
- T1-T8 articulate with two pairs of ribs at the superior and inferior costal facets
- T9-T11 articulate with one pair of ribs
- T10-T12 transition to lumbar vertebrae
Lumbar Vertebrae (L1-L5)
- Largest vertebrae
- Oval-shaped bodies
- Thicker bodies than T1-T12
- No costal or transverse costal facets
- Triangular vertebral foramen
- Superior articular processes face up and in
- Inferior articular processes face down and out
- Transverse processes are slender and project dorsolaterally
- Spinous processes are short, heavy, and attach to lower back muscles
Sacrum
- Curved, more pronounced in males than in females
- Protects reproductive, urinary, and digestive organs
- Attaches the axial skeleton to the pelvic girdle of the appendicular skeleton
- Attaches to broad muscles that move the thigh
Adult Sacrum
- Consists of five fused sacral vertebrae
- Fuses between puberty and ages 25-30, leaving transverse lines
Coccyx
- Attaches ligaments and a constricting muscle of the anus
Mature Coccyx
- Consists of three to five fused coccygeal vertebrae
- The first two coccygeal vertebrae have transverse processes and unfused vertebral arches
- Coccygeal cornua are formed by laminae of the first coccygeal vertebra
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