The Vertebrae and Thoracic Cage

Herniated discs

"Slipped" discs or protruding discs resulting from twisting forces (If the disc pushes on the spinal cord or nerves, numbness and excruciating pain can happen).

What are three types of abnormal spinal curvatures?

1. Scoliosis 2. Kyphosis 3. Lordosis

Ribs

12 pairs of these form the walls of the bony thorax. All ____ articulate with tech vertebral column posteriorly.

Scoliosis

An abnormal spinal curvature: an "S" curved shape of the spine.

Lordosis

An abnormal spinal curvature: an unnatural curve in the lower lumbar area.

Kyphosis

An abnormal spinal curvature: unnatural curve in the thoracic area.

Vertebral arch

Arch formed from the joining of all posterior extensions.

Cervical vertebrae

C1 - C7 is found in the neck region. The 1st two vertebrae are different from the rest. The 1st is the atlas and has no body. It allows us to nod "yes". The 2nd is the axis and it's a pivot point so we can rotate the skull (The rest of the _____ are the lightest and smallest. They also are the only vertebrae that have openings that allow arteries to pass to the brain).

Vertebral foramen

Canal that spinal cord passes through.

Secondary curvatures

Curvatures in the cervical and lumber that develop sometime after birth. They allow us to center our body weight on our lower limbs with minimum effort.

Body (centrum)

Disc-like, weight bearing part facing anteriorly.

True ribs

First 7 pairs of ribs that attach to the sternum.

Sternum

Flat bone resulting from the fusion of 3 bones and is attached to the first 7 pairs of ribs.

Coccyx

Formed by the fusion of 3-5 tiny, irregularly shaped vertebrae (It's the human tailbone).

Sacrum

Formed by the fusion of 5 vertebrae (Superiorly it articulates with L5 and inferiorly it connects with the coccyx. Laterally it connects with the hip bones. It also forms the posterior walls of the pelvis).

Lumbar vertebrae

L1 - L5 have massive block-like bodies (Most of the stress on the vertebral column occurs here. These are the sturdiest of the vertebrae).

Floating ribs

Last 2 pairs of ribs that lack sternal attachment of any kind (Spaces between ribs are filled with intercostal muscles which help with breathing).

Bony thorax (thoracic cage)

Made up of the sternum, ribs and thoracic vertebrae. Forms a protective cage around organs in the thoracic cavity.

False ribs

Next 5 pairs of ribs that either attach indirectly to sternum or not at all.

Intervertebral discs

Pads of fibrocartilage that separate the vertebrae. They cushion and absorb shock and allow for flexibility (As we age, the discs get harder and less compressible).

Superior & inferior articular processes

Paired projections lateral to the vertebral foramen that forms joints with adjacent vertebrae.

Vertebral Column

Serves as the axial support structure that extends from the skull, which it supports, to the pelvis, where it transmits be weight of the body to the lower limbs. (Not a ridged support rod, flexible curved structure made form 26 bones and ligaments. Surrounds and protects the spinal cord. Before birth we have 33 _____ but 9 of them fuse together to form the coccyx and sacrum. Of the 24 bones, 1st 7 are cervical _____, next 12 are thoracic _____, and the last 5 are lumbar _____).

Spinous process

Single projection from posterior aspect of arch.

Thoracic vertebrae

T1 - T12 are all typical vertebrae (Larger than cervical and are the only vertebrae to articulate with the ribs).

Primary curvatures

The curvatures of the thoracic and sacral regions are considered primary because we are born with these (they form the C-shaped spine of an infant).

Transverse process

Two lateral projections from arch.