Axial skeleton: vertebrae

thoracic curvature

Convex posteriorly; forms before birth; T1-T12

lumbar vertebrae

L1-L5, lower back, third set of 5 larger vertebrae, which forms the inward curve of the spine

Vertebrae

26 irregular bones that make up the spine Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, coccyx

sacrum

5 fused vertebrae, inferior to the lumbar vertebrae that articulates with the hip bones

cervical vertebrae

7 vertebrae in the neck (C1-C7)

General Structure of Vertebrae

Body (centrum), spinous process, vertebral arch, lamina, transverse process, pedicle, vertebral foremen, paired superior and inferior articular processes

vertebra prominens

C7, used as a landmark for counting vertebrae because it's large spinous process of C7 is palpable through the skin and isn't bifid

Regional Characteristics of Axis

Dens (odontoid process) sticks through vertebral foramen, allows head to pivot side to side (shake no), no body

Regional Characteristics of Thoracic Vertebrae

Round vertebral foramen, only one with facet for tubercle of rib, longest spinous process

body of vertebrae

Solid, thick, disc-shaped, and weight bearing anterior portion of Vertebrae

transverse process

Two lateral projections that extend from each side of the vertebral arch

Regional Characteristics of Cervical Vertebrae 3-7

body is oval, short spinous process split at the tip, large triangular vertebral foramen, transverse processes contain foramina, superior and inferior articular processes

Regional Characteristics of Lumbar Vertebrae

body is thicc, spinous process shaped like an axe/hatchet

lateral masses

bony junction between the superior and inferior articular processes; has articular facets on both its superior and inferior surfaces

vertebral arch

composed of pedicles, laminae, and a spinous process, it represents the junction of all posterior extensions from the vertebral body

cervical curvature

concave posteriorly; develops as baby learns to hold head upright; C1-C7

lumbar curvature

concave posteriorly; develops as baby learns to stand and walk; L1-L5

coccyx

four vertebrae fused together to form the tailbone

Regional Characteristics of Atlas

has no body or spinous process; Ring of bone with anterior arches, posterior arches, and lateral masses (with articular facets on superior and inferior surfaces) directly articulate with skull so you can move head up and down (nod yes),

odontoid process (dens)

knob like process on superior surface of axis and acts as a pivot

intervertebral foramina

lateral openings between adjacent vertebrae that the spinal nerves pass through

spinous process

median posterior projection arising at the junction of the two laminae

transverse foramen

only found in the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae; vertebral arteries pass through to service the brain

vertebral foramen

opening enclosed by the body and vertebral arch; form the long vertebral canal, through which the spinal cord passes

lamina

part of the vertebral arch

superior articular process

protrudes superiorly from the pedicle-lamina junctions; articulates with inferior articular process of vertebra above

pedicle

short bony pillars projecting posteriorly from the vertebral body, form the sides of the arch

thoracic vertebrae

the second set of 12 vertebrae (T1-T12); form the outward curve of the spine, articulate with the ribs