Concept A: Vertebral Column

The_______________curves are the thoracic and sacral curves.

primary

Which secondary curve of the vertebral column develops as a result of a child being able to hold up its head without support?

Cervical curvature

Which vertebrae have long, pointed spinous processes and costal facets or costal demifacets representing sites of articulation with the ribs?

Thoracic

The anterior, weight bearing part of each vertebra is known as the ______.

body

The vertebrae that have small bodies, short bifid spinous processes, and transverse foramina within their transverse processes are called ______.

cervical

Transverse foramina are only found in ______.

cervical

The sacral canal terminates in an inferior opening called the sacral__________,which represents an area where the laminae of the last

hiatus

An exaggerated thoracic curvature directed posteriorly that often results from osteoporosis is known as a "hunchback" or ______.

hyperkyphosis

The______________discs are pads of fibrocartilage separating adjacent vertebral bodies.

intervertebral

In the sacral region of the vertebral column, the vertebral canal is known as the ______.

sacral canal

The most common spinal curvature deformity is ______.

scoliosis

Supporting the weight of the head is a function of the adult ______.

vertebral column

When do secondary curves of the vertebral column appear in an individual?

After birth

The intervertebral discs are composed of which structures?

Anulus fibrosus Nucleus pulposus

Which feature of the sacrum marks the site of articulation with the os coxae of the pelvic girdle to form the sacroiliac joint?

Auricular surface

Which type of vertebrae start to fuse together shortly after puberty and are completely fused between ages 20 and 30?

Sacral

Which structural feature is absent in the first cervical vertebra, the atlas?

Spinous process

Which structure of the vertebra is able to be palpated through the skin of the back?

Spinous processes

Which are the primary curves present in the vertebral column of a newborn?

Thoracic curvature Sacral curvature

Which characteristic feature of sacral vertebrae represent the remnants of the horizontal lines of fusion between the five vertebrae?

Transverse ridges

Which part of the axial skeleton provides vertical support for the body while housing and protecting the spinal cord?

Vertebral column

Each articular process of a vertebra has a smooth surface called a(n) ______.

articular facet

The main function of the coccyx is to act as a(n) ______.

attachment site for muscles and ligaments

The thick spinous processes of lumbar vertebrae provide extensive surface area for the attachment of ______.

back muscles

The vertebral canal contains the spinal____________,while the intervertebral foramina allow for passage of the spinal nerves.

cord

The axis (C2) contains a prominent process called the ______, which acts as a pivot for the rotation of both the atlas and skull.

dens

The coccyx projects more inferiorly in ______.

females

The largest vertebrae are_____________vertebrae.

lumbar

The costal facets or costal demifacets present on the thoracic vertebrae represent sites of articulation with bones called _____.

ribs