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Questions and Answers
What are the primary functions of the vertebral column?
What are the primary functions of the vertebral column?
How many separate bones are present in the vertebral column during adulthood?
How many separate bones are present in the vertebral column during adulthood?
What type of curvature does the cervical region of the vertebral column possess?
What type of curvature does the cervical region of the vertebral column possess?
Which ligaments are considered major supportive elements of the vertebral column?
Which ligaments are considered major supportive elements of the vertebral column?
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What is the role of the nucleus pulposus in an intervertebral disc?
What is the role of the nucleus pulposus in an intervertebral disc?
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What does the vertebral arch consist of?
What does the vertebral arch consist of?
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In which regions of the vertebral column are the intervertebral discs the thickest?
In which regions of the vertebral column are the intervertebral discs the thickest?
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What prevents hyperextension of the spine?
What prevents hyperextension of the spine?
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Which structure is formed by the union of the two pubic bones?
Which structure is formed by the union of the two pubic bones?
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Which bone is considered the longest and strongest in the human body?
Which bone is considered the longest and strongest in the human body?
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What is the primary function of the tibia?
What is the primary function of the tibia?
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How many tarsal bones are found in the human foot?
How many tarsal bones are found in the human foot?
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Which of the following bones does not contribute to the knee joint?
Which of the following bones does not contribute to the knee joint?
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What role does the olecranon play in the elbow joint?
What role does the olecranon play in the elbow joint?
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Which two carpals articulate with the radius?
Which two carpals articulate with the radius?
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Which parts make up the os coxa?
Which parts make up the os coxa?
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How many bones are in the human hand, including the carpus, metacarpus, and phalanges?
How many bones are in the human hand, including the carpus, metacarpus, and phalanges?
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What is the function of the pelvic girdle?
What is the function of the pelvic girdle?
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Which part of the hip bone is the large flaring bone that forms most of the os coxa?
Which part of the hip bone is the large flaring bone that forms most of the os coxa?
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How many phalanges does the thumb have?
How many phalanges does the thumb have?
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What is the area where the ilium, ischium, and pubis join called?
What is the area where the ilium, ischium, and pubis join called?
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Which structures articulate with the head of a thoracic vertebra?
Which structures articulate with the head of a thoracic vertebra?
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What best describes the glenoid cavity?
What best describes the glenoid cavity?
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What is the primary function of the clavicles?
What is the primary function of the clavicles?
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Which of the following is NOT a feature of the scapula?
Which of the following is NOT a feature of the scapula?
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What characteristic differentiates the humerus from other upper limb bones?
What characteristic differentiates the humerus from other upper limb bones?
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What are the two parallel long bones of the forearm?
What are the two parallel long bones of the forearm?
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Which part of the humerus articulates with the ulna?
Which part of the humerus articulates with the ulna?
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What is the role of the interosseous membrane?
What is the role of the interosseous membrane?
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Which of the following is true regarding the characteristics of the shoulder girdle?
Which of the following is true regarding the characteristics of the shoulder girdle?
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Which parts of the humerus are involved in the articulation with both the ulna and radius?
Which parts of the humerus are involved in the articulation with both the ulna and radius?
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Which cervical vertebrae are unique in structure and do not contain an intervertebral disc?
Which cervical vertebrae are unique in structure and do not contain an intervertebral disc?
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What anatomical feature allows the first cervical vertebra (Atlas) to articulate with the skull?
What anatomical feature allows the first cervical vertebra (Atlas) to articulate with the skull?
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What is the main characteristic of the body of thoracic vertebrae?
What is the main characteristic of the body of thoracic vertebrae?
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Which statement about lumbar vertebrae is true?
Which statement about lumbar vertebrae is true?
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What structure forms the protective cage around the heart and lungs?
What structure forms the protective cage around the heart and lungs?
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What is the significance of the transverse foramen found in cervical vertebrae?
What is the significance of the transverse foramen found in cervical vertebrae?
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Which vertebra has a dens that acts as a pivot for the rotation of the head?
Which vertebra has a dens that acts as a pivot for the rotation of the head?
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Which part of the sternum articulates with the first pair of ribs?
Which part of the sternum articulates with the first pair of ribs?
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What feature distinguishes lumbar vertebrae from thoracic vertebrae?
What feature distinguishes lumbar vertebrae from thoracic vertebrae?
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What type of ribs are ribs 11 and 12 classified as?
What type of ribs are ribs 11 and 12 classified as?
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What is a key characteristic of the sacral vertebrae?
What is a key characteristic of the sacral vertebrae?
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What is the purpose of the costal groove in a typical rib?
What is the purpose of the costal groove in a typical rib?
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What anatomical landmark can be palpated on the sternum?
What anatomical landmark can be palpated on the sternum?
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Study Notes
Vertebral Column
- 33 bones, 24 separate, 9 fuse (sacrum & coccyx)
- Approximately 70cm long in an adult of average height
- 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 3-4 coccygeal
- Functions: weight-bearing, anchor for muscles & ligaments, protection of spinal cord
- Normal curvatures: cervical and lumbar are concave, thoracic and sacral are convex
Supporting Elements of Vertebral Column
- Ligaments: strap-like, support the column of bones to stay upright; major are anterior & posterior longitudinal ligaments
- Intervertebral discs: cushioning between bony vertebral bodies; shock absorbers; 25% length of the vertebral column
- Nucleus pulposus: acts like a rubber ball within the disc, providing elasticity and compressibility
- Annulus fibrosus: holds together successive vertebrae & resists tension in the spine
A Typical Vertebra
- Gets larger as you descend the column
- Weight-bearing body + vertebral arch
- Vertebral arch: 2 pedicles + 2 laminae
- Arch + body enclose a vertebral foramen
- Pedicles: have notches on superior & inferior surfaces → intervertebral foramina
- 7 processes from each vertebral arch:
- Spinous process: muscle attachment
- Transverse processes (2): muscle attachment
- Paired superior & inferior articular processes: link vertebrae above & below
Cervical Vertebrae
- 7 total, #1 & 2 have unusual structures and no intervertebral disc
- #3-7 are considered typical:
- Body is oval, broader side-to-side than front-to-back
- Spinous process is short and spilt at the end
- Vertebral foramen is large -Each transverse process contains a transverse foramen for passage of the vertebral artery to the brain
Atlas (Cervical Vertebra #1)
- No body or spinous process
- Posterior & anterior neural arches
- Superior articular facets articulate with occipital condyles allowing the head to nod “yes”
Axis (Cervical Vertebra #2)
- Similar to C3-C7, except for dens or odontoid process which allows the head to rotate “no”
- Dens is the “missing” body of the atlas
Thoracic Vertebrae
- 12 total, all have ribs attached
- Increase in size from the first to the last
- Features:
- Body is roughly heart-shaped and bears facets for ribs
- Vertebral foramen is circular
- Spinous process is long and points down
- Transverse processes have facets for articulation with tubercles of ribs
Lumbar Vertebrae
- Lower back, major weight-bearing function
- Bodies are kidney-shaped and increase in size from top to bottom
- Features:
- Pedicles & laminae are shorter & thicker than those of other vertebrae
- Spinous processes are flat & short
- Vertebral foramen is triangular
- Inferior & superior facets are unique - curved
Sacral Vertebrae
- Starts as 5 separate vertebrae, fuse in adolescents = sacrum
- Articulates with 5th lumbar and laterally with hip bones (sacroiliac joint)
- Note: sacral promontory, transverse lines and sacral foramina
- Note: median sacral crest, sacral canal and sacral hiatus
Coccygeal Vertebrae
- Tailbone = 3 or 4 fused coccygeal vertebrae
- Attachment area for some pelvic ligaments, but otherwise useless
Bony Thorax
- Thoracic vertebrae + ribs + costal cartilages + sternum
- Protective cage around heart, lungs & major blood vessels
- Supports shoulder girdle & upper limbs
- Provides area of muscle attachment for back, chest & shoulders
Sternum
- Anterior midline of thorax
- Fusion of 3 bones: Manubrium, body & xiphoid process
- Manubrium articulates with clavicles via clavicular notches and with the first pair of ribs
- Body has notches for articulation with the 2nd to 7th ribs
- Xiphoid process is the attachment of some abdominal muscles
Ribs
- 12 per side, all attach to the vertebral column at the back
- Curve inferior-anteriorly
- 7 true ribs attach directly to the sternum
- False ribs: Ribs 8-10 attach indirectly to the sternum via costal cartilage and rib 7
- Floating ribs: ribs 11 & 12 are not attached anteriorly
- Features of a typical rib: shaft, head, neck, tubercle
- Note: the costal groove, 2 facets on the head (one articulates with the same-numbered vertebra and the other with the superior vertebra), tubercle articulates with the same-numbered thoracic vertebrae
Appendicular Skeleton
- Pectoral girdle: clavicles & scapulae
- Pelvic girdle: hip bones (coxal bones) plus upper & lower limbs
Pectoral Girdle
- Clavicle: S-shaped, slightly curved, acts as a brace to push the arms laterally
- Scapulae: thin, triangular flat bones, dorsally, between ribs 2 & 7
- Note: superior, medial & lateral borders, spine, acromion, coracoid process
Upper Limb
- 30 separate bones: arm, forearm, wrist and hand
Humerus
- Longest bone of the upper limb, the only bone of the "arm"
- Articulates with the scapula proximally, radius + ulna distally
- Note: head, anatomical neck, greater tubercle, lesser tubercle, intertubercular sulcus, surgical neck
- Note: 2 condyles + 2 epicondyles
- Trochlea: articulates with ulna
- Capitulum: articulates with radius
- Ulnar nerve runs behind the medial epicondyle
Forearm
- 2 parallel long bones: radius & ulna
- Articulates with humerus & wrist bones, also articulate with each other proximally and distally
- Interosseous membrane is a strong fibrous sheet between the radius & ulna
- Ulna (elbow joint): slightly longer than radius, olecranon & coronoid process, radial notch on coronoid process, styloid process
- Radius (wrist joint): head at proximal end, distal end is the wider end
- Distal end: medial ulnar notch & lateral styloid process
Hand
- 27 bones total: carpus, metacarpus & phalanges
Carpus (wrist)
- 8 carpal bones - only scaphoid & lunate articulate with radius
- “So Long To Pittsburgh” (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform)
- “Time To Call Home” (trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate)
- “Sally Left The Party To Take Cathy Home”
Metacarpus
- 5 long bones, distal ends are knuckles
- Numbered 1-5 from the thumb to the little finger
Phalanges
- 3/finger & 2/thumb = miniature long bones
- Numbered 1-5 from thumb to little finger
- Proximal, middle & distal except for thumb which has only proximal & distal
Pelvic Girdle
- Attaches lower limbs, transmits weight of upper body to lower limbs, supports visceral organs of pelvis
- Forms a complete circle
- Left & right hip bones (coxal bones) unite anteriorly & with sacrum at back
- Each os coxa consists of 3 bones that fuse at puberty: ilium, ischium, pubis
- Acetabulum is the area where all 3 bones join and forms the socket of the hip joint
Ilium
- Large flaring bone that forms most of the os coxa
- Note: iliac crest, iliac spines, pelvic brim
Ischium
- Postero-inferior part of the hip bone
- Note: ischial tuberosity
Pubis
- Anterior part of the ox cosa
- 2 pubic bones unite at pubis symphysis
- Note: pubic crest, obturator foramen
Lower Limb
- Thigh, leg & foot
Thigh
- Femur: largest, longest and strongest bone
- Major parts: head, fovia capitis, neck, linea aspera, lat & med condyles, lat & med epicondyles, patellar surface
- Greater & lesser trochanters: attachment for muscles
Patella
- Sesamoid bone, embedded in the tendon of the quadriceps muscles
Leg
- 2 parallel bones: tibia & fibula
- Interosseus membrane + proximal & distal tibiofibular joints (rigid)
- Fibula does not contribute to the knee joint
- Tibia: transfers weight from the femur to the foot, next largest & strongest bone
- Note: med & lat condyles, anterior border, tibial tuberosity
- Fibula: note head & lateral malleolus
Foot
- 26 bones: tarsus (ankle bone), metatarsus & phalanges
Tarsus
- 7 tarsal bones: largest is the calcaneus (heel bone), second largest is the talus (part of the ankle joint)
Metatarsus
- 5 miniature long bones numbered 1-5 (medial great toe = +1)
Phalanges (foot)
- Big toe (hallux) has two & remaining toes have 3 each - proximal, middle & distal
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Description
Explore the intricate anatomy of the vertebral column, including its structure, supporting elements, and functions. Learn about the vertebrae, ligaments, and intervertebral discs that play crucial roles in maintaining stability and flexibility. This quiz will test your knowledge on the various components of the spine.
