1Name:_________________________ Date:__________________________

Axial Skeleton Lab Part B Vertebral Column and Thoracic Cage Prelab: The vertebral column, which is made up of 26 bones, extends from the skull to the pelvis and forms the vertical axis of the human skeleton. The column is composed of many vertebrae, which are separated from one another by cartilaginous intervertebral discs and are held together by ligaments. The thoracic cage surrounds the thoracic and upper abdominal cavities. It includes the ribs, the thoracic vertebrae, the sternum, and the costal cartilages. Purpose: To examine the vertebral column and the thoracic cage of the human skeleton and to identify the bones and major features of these parts. Materials: textbook, human skeleton articulated, cervical vertebra, thoracic vertebra, lumbar vertebra Procedure:

1. Review the section entitled “Vertebral Column” in chapter 7 of “Hole’s” and “Vertebral Column (Spine)” in chapter 5 of Marieb.

2. As a review activity, label figures 1-5. 3. Examine the vertebral column of the human skeleton and locate the following

bones and features. At the same time, locate as many of the corresponding bones and features in your own skeleton as possible.

Atlas Axis Cervical vertebrae Thoracic vertebrae Lumbar vertebrae Intervertebral discs

Vertebral canal Sacrum coccyx

4. Compare the samples of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae by noting

differences in size and shape, and by locating the following features: Body Vertebral foramen

Spinous process Transverse processes Dens of axis

(odontoid process)

5. Examine the sacrum and coccyx. Locate the following features: Sacrum Coccyx

Sacral hiatus Sacral canal

6. Complete parts A and B of the conclusion. 7. Review the section entitled “Thoracic Cage” in chapter 7 of “Hole’s” or “Bony

Thorax” in chapter 5 of Marieb.

2

Figure 1 Spinal column

A. ________________________________ D. ________________________________

B. ________________________________ E. ________________________________

C. ________________________________ F. ________________________________

3Figure 2 Atlas and Axis

A. ________________________________ E. ________________________________

B. ________________________________ F. ________________________________

C. ________________________________ G. ________________________________

D. ________________________________ H. ________________________________

I.__________________________________

4Figure 3 Vertebrae types

A.__________________________________

B.__________________________________

C.__________________________________

D.__________________________________

E._____________________________ Bone

F._____________________________ Bone

G.__________________________________

H.__________________________________

I.__________________________________

J.__________________________________

K._____________________________ Bone

L.__________________________________

M.__________________________________

N.__________________________________

O.__________________________________

5Figure 4 Sacrum and coccyx

A. ________________________________bone B. ________________________________bone

6Figure 5 Thoracic cage

A. ________________________________ E.___________________________________

B. _____________________________bone F.______________________________bones

C. __________________________________ G.___________________________________

D.__________________________________ H.___________________________________

I.____________________________________

8. Examine the thoracic cage of the human skeleton and locate the following bones and features.

Ribs Sternum True Ribs manubrium False Ribs body Floating Ribs Xiphoid process Costal Cartilages 9. Complete part C of the conclusion.

7Conclusion: Part A : Complete the following statements.

1.The _________________________________________ is enclosed and protected by the

vertebral column.

2. There are ______________ separate bones in the vertebral column of an adult.

3. The ______________________________________ of a vertebrae support the weight of

the head and trunk.

4. The ______________________________________________ separate adjacent vertebrae,

and they soften the forces created by walking.

5. The _____________________________________ is the special name given to the first

cervical vertebra.

6. The _____________________________________ is the special name given to the

second cervical vertebra.

7. When the head is moved from side to side, the first vertebra pivots around the

_____________________________________________ of the second vertebra.

8. The _________________________________vertebrae have the largest and strongest

bones.

9. ________________(#) of vertebrae fuse to form the sacrum.

10. An opening called the ____________________________________ exists at the top of

the sacral canal.

Part B : Based on your observations, compare typical cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae in relation to the characteristics indicated in the table. Consider characteristics such as size, shape, presence or absence, and unique features for your responses.

Vertebra # Size Body Spinous Process

Transverse Process

Cervical

Thoracic

Lumbar

8Part C: Complete the following statements

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

_____________________________(#)bones.

2. The last two pairs of ribs that have no cartilageous attachments to the sternum

are sometimes called ______________________________________ribs.

3. Costal cartilages are composed of _________________________________tissue.

4. The manubrium articulated the _______________________________ on the superior

border.

5. List 2 general functions of the thoracic cage.

a._________________________________________________________________________

b._________________________________________________________________________