Vertebral Column Anatomy and Function

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Questions and Answers

What structure prevents hyperextension at the elbow joint?

Radial notch

Coronoid process

Styloid process

Olecranon (correct)

Which carpal bones articulate with the radius?

Pisiform and triquetrum

Capitate and hamate

Trapezium and trapezoid

Scaphoid and lunate (correct)

How many bones are in the human hand?

27 (correct)

What is the correct sequence for the bones forming the acetabulum?

Ilium, ischium, pubis Signup and view all the answers

What part of the hip bone is responsible for providing attachment for muscles?

Iliac crest Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the distal end of the radius?

It has a medial ulnar notch and lateral styloid process Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the thumb in anatomical terminology?

Pollex Signup and view all the answers

Which structure does not form part of the pelvic girdle?

Femur Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the tibia in the leg?

It transfers weight from the femur to the foot. Signup and view all the answers

Which bone is the longest and strongest in the human body?

Femur Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the fibula in the leg?

Acts as a lateral stabilizer for the ankle. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly describes the bones of the foot?

The tarsus includes both calcaneus and talus. Signup and view all the answers

How is the pubis specifically structured concerning other bones?

It consists of two pubic bones that unite at the pubic symphysis. Signup and view all the answers

Which structures articulate with the note head of a thoracic vertebra?

Demi-facets on both the same-numbered and superior vertebra Signup and view all the answers

What type of bones make up the pectoral girdle?

Two pairs of clavicles and scapulae Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the glenoid cavity in the shoulder joint?

Acts as a shallow socket to facilitate arm movement Signup and view all the answers

Where are the scapulae located in relation to the ribs?

Between ribs 2 and 7 Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of the humerus articulates with the ulna?

Trochlea Signup and view all the answers

What type of joint is formed at the proximal and distal ends of the radius and ulna?

Pivot joint Signup and view all the answers

How many separate bones are found in the upper limb?

30 Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the clavicles?

Mildly S-shaped and provide support Signup and view all the answers

What do the greater and lesser tubercles of the humerus serve as?

Attachment points for muscles Signup and view all the answers

What happens at the surgical neck of the humerus?

Fractures are common Signup and view all the answers

How many bones make up the vertebral column in an adult?

33 Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the cervical and lumbar curvatures in the vertebral column?

Concave Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the intervertebral discs?

To act as shock absorbers Signup and view all the answers

Which ligament is primarily responsible for preventing hyperextension of the spine?

Anterior longitudinal ligament Signup and view all the answers

What comprises the vertebral arch of a typical vertebra?

Pedicles and laminae Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary composition of each intervertebral disc?

Nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus Signup and view all the answers

In which regions are the intervertebral discs thickest?

Cervical and lumbar Signup and view all the answers

What passageway is formed by the vertebral arches and bodies of the vertebrae?

Vertebral canal Signup and view all the answers

What unique feature distinguishes the atlas from other cervical vertebrae?

It has no body and no spinous process. Signup and view all the answers

How are the thoracic vertebrae characterized in relation to the ribs?

They have demi-facets for rib articulation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the vertebral foramen in lumbar vertebrae?

Triangular Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes is associated with each vertebral arch?

Spinous process Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the lumbar vertebrae?

Support the weight of the lower body. Signup and view all the answers

Which bones make up the sternum?

Manubrium, body, xiphoid process Signup and view all the answers

What feature is associated with sacral vertebrae as they fuse in adolescents?

Creation of the sacrum. Signup and view all the answers

What are true ribs defined by?

Attaching to the sternum directly. Signup and view all the answers

Which process of the vertebral column allows for the rotation of the head?

Dens of the axis Signup and view all the answers

What type of processes are present on thoracic vertebrae for rib articulation?

Transverse and demi-facets Signup and view all the answers

Which anatomical structure is primarily responsible for holding up the thoracic cage?

Ribs Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the coccygeal vertebrae?

Attach to pelvic ligaments. Signup and view all the answers

What structure does the jugular notch represent?

An indentation on the sternum. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vertebral Column

33 bones, 24 remain separate, the remaining 9 fuse to form the sacrum and coccyx
7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 3/4 coccygeal vertebrae
Vertebral column is approximately 70 cm long in adults of average height
It provides support, protects the spinal cord, and functions as an anchor for muscles and ligaments
Vertebral column has a natural curvature for flexibility and resilience: Cervical and lumbar are concave, thoracic and sacral are convex

Abnormal Spinal Curvatures

There are abnormal spinal curvatures (Fig. 7-18)

Supporting Elements of Vertebral Column

Ligaments: Strap-like, major supporting ligaments are the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
Intervertebral Discs: Act as shock absorbers, make up 25% of vertebral column length
Each disc has a nucleus pulposus in the center and an annulus fibrosus around the periphery
Discs are thickest in the lumbar and cervical regions, allowing for more flexibility

A Typical Vertebra

Vertebrae get larger as you descend the column
Each vertebrae consists of a weight-bearing body and a vertebral arch
The vertebral arch is composed of 2 pedicles and 2 laminae
The arch and body enclose the vertebral foramen which forms the vertebral canal, where the spinal cord passes through
Pedicles have notches on superior and inferior surfaces, creating intervertebral foramina where spinal nerves pass through
Seven processes extend from each vertebral arch

Cervical Vertebrae

Vertebrae #1 and #2 have unique structures and no intervertebral discs
Vertebrae #3-7 are considered typical
The transverse process in C3-C7 contains a transverse foramen for passage of the vertebral artery to the brain

Cervical Vertebrae #1 (Atlas)

Does not have a body or a spinous process
Has posterior and anterior neural arches.
Has lateral masses with superior and inferior articular facets
Articulation of superior articular facets with occipital condyles allows for "yes" movement

Cervical Vertebrae #2 (Axis)

Has a dens or odontoid process, which acts as a pivot, allowing for "no" movement
The dens is a “missing” body from the atlas

Thoracic Vertebrae

There are 12 thoracic vertebrae
All have ribs attached
They increase in size from the first to the last
They have facets where ribs articulate

Lumbar Vertebrae

Located in the lower back, bear the most weight
Their bodies are kidney shaped and increase in size from top to bottom
Have specific orientation of inferior and superior facets, curved for support

Sacral Vertebrae

Starts as 5 separate vertebrae which fuse in adolescence to form the sacrum
Articulates with the 5th lumbar and laterally with the hip bones (sacroiliac joint)

Coccygeal Vertebrae

Also known as the tailbone, consists of 3 to 4 fused vertebrae
Not very useful, but provides attachment for some pelvic ligaments

Bony Thorax

Made up of thoracic vertebrae, ribs, costal cartilages, and sternum
Acts as a protective cage for heart, lungs, and major blood vessels
Supports shoulder girdle and upper limbs
Provides area for muscle attachment for back, chest, and shoulders

Sternum

Located on anterior midline of thorax
Composed of 3 bones which fuse: manubrium, body, and xiphoid process
The manubrium articulates with clavicles and the first pair of ribs
The body articulates with the 2nd-7th ribs
The xiphoid process is the attachment site for some abdominal muscles

Ribs

12 ribs per side, all attach to vertebral column at the back
Curve inferiorly and anteriorly
7 true ribs attach directly to sternum, the rest are false ribs
Ribs 8-10 attach to sternum indirectly via costal cartilages and rib 7
Ribs 11 and 12 are not attached anteriorly, are floating ribs
Each rib has a shaft, head, neck, and tubercle
The costal groove carries blood vessels and nerves

Appendicular Skeleton

Includes pectoral girdle, pelvic girdle, upper and lower limbs
Pectoral girdle is formed by clavicles and scapulae, allowing for nearly complete circle around the upper trunk to make up the shoulders

Clavicles

Also known as collarbones
Are mildly S-shaped, attach to muscles and brace the arms laterally
Their curvature helps prevent fractures from occurring near the subclavian artery

Scapulae

Also known as shoulder blades
Are thin, triangular flat bones located dorsally between ribs 2 and 7
Articulate with acromial end of clavicle and provides attachment for biceps muscle

Upper Limb

30 bones: arm, forearm, wrist, and hand

Humerus

Longest bone of upper limb, only bone of the arm
Articulates with scapula proximally and radius and ulna distally
Has a head, anatomical neck, greater and lesser tubercles, intertubercular sulcus, surgical neck, deltoid tuberosity, medial and lateral epicondyles, and trochlea and capitulum

Forearm

Contains 2 parallel long bones: radius and ulna
Articulates with humerus and wrist bones, and also with each other at proximal and distal radio-ulnar joints
Interosseous membrane connects the two bones and provides surface for muscle attachment

Ulna

Slightly longer than radius
Contains the olecranon and coronoid process, radial notch, and styloid process

Radius

Head is at the proximal end, distal end is wider
Distal end has medial ulnar notch and lateral styloid process

Hand

27 bones in total
Includes bones of the carpus, metacarpus, and phalanges

Carpus (Wrist)

8 carpals
Only scaphoid and lunate articulate with radius

Metacarpus

5 long bones, distal ends form knuckles
Numbered 1-5 from thumb to pinky finger
Articulate with wrist bones

Phalanges

3 per finger (except thumb which has 2)
Numbered 1-5 from thumb to pinky finger
Proximal, middle, and distal in each finger, except thumb which has only proximal and distal

Pelvic Girdle

Connects lower limbs, transmits weight of upper body
Forms a complete circle
Left and right hip bones (coxal bones) unite anteriorly
Each hip bone is composed of 3 fused bones: ilium, ischium, and pubis
Acetabulum is the area where all 3 bones join and forms the socket for the hip joint

Ilium

Large flaring bone that forms most of the os coxa
Has the iliac crest, iliac spines, and the pelvic brim

Ischium

Posteroinferior part of hip bone
Has a body that joins the ilium, and a thinner inferior ramus

Pubis

Anterior part of the os coxa
Two pubic bones unite at the pubic symphysis
Has a pubic crest and an obturator foramen

Lower Limb

Includes the thigh, leg, and foot

Thigh

Femur is the largest, longest, and strongest bone
Articulates with acetabulum of pelvic girdle and with tibia and patella
Features include: head, fovea capitis, neck, linea aspera, lateral and medial condyles, lateral and medial epicondyles, and patellar surface

Leg

Consists of two bones: tibia and fibula, connected by an interosseous membrane and proximal and distal tibiofibular joints
Tibia is larger, strong, and serves to transfer weight to the foot
Fibula does not participate in the knee joint

Foot

26 bones in total: tarsus, metatarsus, and phalanges

Tarsus

7 tarsal bones: calcaneus (heel) and talus (ankle joint)

Metatarsus

5 small long bones, numbered 1-5 from medial to lateral

Phalanges

Big toe has 2, other toes have 3 (proximal, middle, and distal)
**

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Description

This quiz explores the anatomy and function of the vertebral column, including its structure, supporting elements, and the significance of abnormalities like spinal curvatures. Test your knowledge on the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, and ligaments that make up this crucial part of the human body.