Vertebral Column and Thoracic Cage

The lumbar vertebrae are part of the appendicular skeleton.

FALSE They are apart of the axis skeleton.

Name the type of connective tissue that anchors the ribs onto the sternum.

HYALINE CARTILAGE The costal cartilage that anchors the ribs onto the sternum is hyaline cartilage. Hyaline cartilage is the most common type of cartilage in the body.

Excluding the sacrum and coccyx, which are collections of fused vertebrae in adults, how many vertebrae are in the adult skeleton?

24

How many lumbar vertebrae are in the vertebral column?

5

How many pairs of ribs articulate directly with the sternum?

7 There are 7 pairs of true ribs in the human body. True ribs articulate directly with the sternum.

What is the name of the first cervical vertebra?

ATLAS The atlas is essentially a ring of bone. Its structure is highly specialized to articulate with the skull.

Identify the articulation site that allows us to rotate our head, e.g. shaking the head "no".

ATLAS - AXIS The prominent projection known as dens on the axis forms a pivot joint with the atlas, allowing the atlas to rotate around the axis. The axis is a very sensible name for C2 since it serves as a central axis for rotation of the atlas.

What is the name of the second cervical vertebra?

AXIS C2 is known as the axis. It has a bony projection called the odontoid process that articulates with C1. C1 can pivot around C2, allowing us to rotate our head/shake head "no".

Identify the central portion of the sternum.

BODY The body of the sternum is the largest region, occupying the space between the manubrium and the xiphoid process.

Vertebral Column

Cervical --> 7 vertebrae (C1-C7) - concave Thoracic --> 12 vertebrae (T1-T12) - convex - spinous process - transverse process - intervertebral discs - intervertebral foramen Lumbar --> 5 vertebrae (L1-L5) - concave Sacral --> convex - sacrum --> 5 fused vertebrae - coccyx --> 3-5 fused vertebrae

Which of the following characteristics do not belong to the lumbar region?

ELONGATED SPINOUS PROCESS An elongated spinous process is characteristic of the thoracic region.

The lumbar vertebrae are roughly the same size as vertebrae from the rest of the vertebral column.

FALSE The overall size of the vertebrae increase from the top of the vertebral column to the bottom.

Identify the shield shaped top of the sternum.

MANUBRIUM The manubrium is the superior most region of the sternum. It articulates with both the clavicle and the first rib.

Identify the articulation site that allows us to nod our head "yes".

OCCIPITAL BONE - ATLAS The padlike occipital condyles found on both sides of foramen magnum sit on top of the plate like superior articular processes of the atlas, forming the atlanto-occipital joint. The articular surfaces permit nodding of the head in a "yes" motion (flexion and extension).

Identify the region of the skull that articulates with the atlas.

OCCIPITAL CONDYLES The occipital condyles found on both sides of foramen magnum sit on top of the atlas, forming the atlanto-occipital joint.

Which region of the vertebral column is immediately inferior to the lumbar region?

SACRAL The sacrum is located below the lumbar region, articulating superiorly with L5 and inferiorly with the coccyx.

What makes up the thoracic cage?

STERNUM - Manubrium - Body - Xiphoid process TRUE RIBS (1-7) - Costal cartilages VERTEBROCHONDRAL RIBS (8-10) FLOATING RIBS (11-12) FALSE RIBS (8-12)

The lumbar vertebrae are found in the lower back.

TRUE

The shape of the spinous process can be used to help determine if a vertebra is from the lumbar region.

TRUE The spinous process of a lumbar vertebra is blunt, not pointed as in the thoracic region or bifid as seen in the cervical region.

Which of the following statements describing the articulations of the heads of ribs #2-9 with the vertebral column is accurate?

The head of each rib articulates at an intervertebral joint. This articulation creates two demifacets, one each with the body of the vertebra above and below the joint.

The last two pairs of ribs in the rib cage are called floating ribs. What does that term mean?

The ribs do not have any attachment to the sternum.

What part of the sternum is palpated prior to giving CPR?

XIPHOID PROCESS When administering CPR, care must be taken not to apply direct pressure to the xiphoid process. Injury can result from the xiphoid process being broken off and damaging vital organs found deep to it.

One section of the vertebrae tends to carry the most weight and strain, and accordingly those vertebrae have the largest vertebral bodies. Which section of vertebrae is this?

lumbar

Which region of the vertebral column is immediately superior to the lumbar region?

thoracic

The major function of the vertebral body is to ________.

transfer weight along the axis of the vertebral column

Which of the following can be found on cervical vertebrae only?

transverse formina