Vertebral Column and Thoracic Cage

The _________ vertebrae have the largest and strongest bodies.

lumbar

The vertebral column encloses and protects the ________ ________.

spinal cord

The intervertebral foramina provide passageways for _______ ________.

spinal nerves

The seventh cervical vertebra is called the __________ ___________ and has an obvious spinous process surface feature that can palpated.

vertebra prominens

How many vertebra are in the thoracic section? How big is it? What type of spinous process does it have? Does it have transverse foramina?

12. It's medium. It's in the middle. It points down. No.

The adult skeleton of most men and women contains a total of ________ bones.

206

The number of separate bones in the vertebral column of an adult is ______.

26

The number of vertebrae that fuse to form the sacrum is _______.

5

How many vertebra are in the lumbar section? How big is it? What type of spinous process does it have? Does it have transverse foramina?

5. Large. Bottom. Blunt. No.

There are ________ pairs of true ribs.

7

How many vertebra are in the cervical section? How big is it? What type of spinous process does it have? Does it have transverse foramina?

It has 7. It's small. It's at the top. It's bifid (forked). Yes.

List three general functions of the thoracic cage.

Protects the heart, lungs, and some abdominal organs. It supports the bones of the shoulder girdle and arm. It helps you breathe.

The first vertebra also is called the _______.

atlas

The __________ of the vertebrae support the weight of the head and trunk.

body

Transverse foramina of __________ vertebrae serve as passageways for blood vessels leading to the brain.

cervical

The manubrium articulates with the ___________ on its superior border.

clavicles

When the head is moved from side to side, the first vertebra pivots around the _____ (aka) of the second vertebrae.

dens (odontoid process)

The last two pairs of ribs that have no cartilaginous attachments to the sternum are sometimes called __________ ribs.

floating

Costal cartilages are composed of _________ cartilage.

hyaline

The ____________ separate adjacent vertebrae, and they soften the forces created by walking.

intervertebral discs