Skeletal System - Vertebral Column and Thoracic Cage

Shaft (Body)

The body of the ribs, it bends at the midline.

False Ribs

Last 5 pairs of ribs.

Vertebral Foramen (Spinal Foramen)

Opening in the vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes.

Sacrum

5 fused vertebrae at the end of the vertebral column forming a triangular shaped bone, wedged inbetween the hip bones.

Spinous Process

A bony projection off the posterior (back) of each vertebra. The spinous process protrudes where the laminae of the vertebral arch join and provides the point of attachment for muscles and ligaments of the spine. Spinous processes are the ridges that can be felt through the skin along the back of the spine

Sacral Canal (Vertebral Canal)

A continuation of the vertebral canal and runs throughout the greater part of the sacral bone.

Costal Groove

A depression that runs along the inferior edge of each rib.

Lamina

A posterior arch of the vertebral bone lying between the spinous process (which juts out in the middle) and the more lateral pedicles and the transverse processes of each vertebra. The pair of laminae, along with the spinous process, make up the posterior wall of the bony spinal canal.

Transverse Process

A small bony projection off the right and left side of each vertebrae. The two transverse processes of each vertebrae function as the site of attachment for muscles and ligaments of the spine as well as the point of articulation of the ribs (in the thoracic spine).

Costal Facets

An articulating surface on the body of thoracic vertebrae, attaching to head of rib.

Intervertebral Disc

The shock-absorbing structure between each vertebra. The disc has a thick outer layer (annulus) that surrounds the soft gel-like center (nucleus). Intervertebral discs act as cushions in between vertebrae.

Sternal Angle

Where the lower end of manubrium joins the body - palpable T4-T5.

Head

The rounded medial extremity of a rib that, except for ribs 1, 10, 11, and 12, articulates by two facets with the bodies of two contiguous vertebrae.

Neck

Area between the head and tubercle.

Body

The thick oval segment of bone forming the front of the vertebra.

Sacral Foramen

Anterior or posterior, 4 pairs of openings each, lateral to midline; communicate w/ sacral canal and allow anterior or posterior branches of spinal nerves to pass through

Tubercle

Articulates with the costal facet, located on the transverse process of the more posterior vertebra, and the ribs angle posteriorly at the point of articulation. The first rib articulates solely with the first thoracic.vertebra.

Sternum

Breastbone, made up of the manubrium, body, and the xiphoid process .

Xiphoid Process

Most inferior part of sternum cartilage during infancy and youth doesn't ossify until age 40 small but can vary in size, shape and degree of ossification.

Inferior Articulating Facet

The articular surface of the inferior articular process of vertebrae, articulating with the superior articular facet of the vertebra below to form a zygapophysial joint.

Superior Articulating Facet

The articular surface of the inferior articular processes of vertebrae, articulating with the inferior articular facet of the vertebra above to form a zygapophysial joint.

Cervical Vertebrae

The thinnest and most delicate bones. Yet, in spite of their size, the cervical vertebrae have the huge jobs of supporting the head, protecting the spinal cord, and providing mobility to the head and neck.

Sacral Hiatus

The unformed inferior canal wall; unfused spinous process of S5

Dens

A prominent feature of the axis bone is a superior, tooth-like projection called the odontoid process

Pedicle

A stub of bone that connects the lamina to the vertebral body to form the vertebral arch

Intervertebral Foramen

Composed of a series of 31 separate bones known as vertebrae. There are seven cervical or neck vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and five lumbar vertebrae. The sacrum is composed of five fused vertebrae, and there are two coccygeal vertebrae which are sometimes fused.

Coccyx

Composite bone of coccygeal vertebrae on the posterior pelvic wall; most inferior portion of vertebrae.

Floating Ribs

Do not possess costocartilage and do not connect to the 7th rib's costocartilage.

True Ribs

First 7 pairs of ribs.

Sacroilliac Joint

Joint between sacrum and ilium of pelvis; located in bony pelvis

Body (Base)

Rounded, oval shaped part of bone, at the top of the sacrum.

Left or Right rib?

The costal groove is at inferior position The blunt sternal end toward the midline

Lumbar Vertebrae

The last 5 vertebra characterized by large sized bodies, kidney bean shaped body, thick, blunt spinous process, and rectangular transverse and spinous processes.

Thoracic Vertebrae

The middle 12 vertebra characterized by costal facets for rib articulation, inferiorly sloped spinous processes, heart-shaped bodies, and relatively long transverse processes

Atlas (C1)

The most superior (first) cervical vertebra of the spine. It is named for the Atlas of Greek mythology, because it supports the globe of the head. The atlas is the topmost vertebra and with the axis forms the joint connecting the skull and spine.

Axis (C2)

The second of seven bones in the cervical spine. The axis, also known as the C2 bone, creates a pivot that allows the C1, or atlas, to rotate.

Bifid Spinous Process

Their most characteristic features are their bifid spinous processes and a foramen in their transverse processes. These foramina transversaria contain the vertebral artery and vein. The first and second cervical vertebrae are atypica

Transverse Foramen

This is an opening on each of the transverse processes which gives passage to the vertebral artery and vein and a sympathetic nerve plexus.

Manubrium

Upper portion of the sternum.

Jugular Notch

Uppermost border of the manubrium T2-T3.