The Vertebral Column

Provides a column of support bearing weight of the head, neck, and trunkTransfers weight to the lower limbs of the appendicular skeletonProtects the spinal cordHelps maintain an upright body position

Vertebral column

26 bones24 VertebraeCervical (7)

Begins at neck and extends inferiorly to the trunk

Thoracic (12)superior portion of the backEach articulates with one or more ribs

Vertebral ColumnLumbar (5)

Inferior portion of the backThe 5th one articulates with the sacrum

Sacrum (1)- articulates with the coccyxCoccyx (1) tailboneThe sacrum and the Coccyx both originally start as

separate vertebrae that fuse together throughout puberty and into early adulthood

Spinal Curvature

There are 4 main curves in the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral).Most of our weight is anterior to the vertebral column, the curves bring the weight back in line with the axis of the body so that the weight can be transferred to your hips and then the lower limbs

Vertebral Anatomy

Vertebral Body- transfers weight along axis of vertebral column, and are separated by intervertebral discs

Vertebral Arch- Forms the vertebral canal which encloses the spinal cord, spinous process projects posteriorly, you can feel this in your back

Vertebral Anatomy Cont.

Articular processes- allow muscles to attach to vertebra

Vertebral Regions

A capital letter is used to identify region, and a number is used to indicate position within the region (1 is most cranial or superior)C, T, L, S, Co indicate region

Cervical Vertebrae

Smallest, extend from occipital bone to the thorax

Body is small compared with the size of the the vertebral foramen

Atlas and Axis (C1 and C2)

Atlas C1- holds up the head, articulates with the occipital bone, which allows you to nod.

Axis C2- Articulates with C1, this fusion is called the dens, and it allows for a pivoting motion

Thoracic Vertebrae (12)

Distinct heart shaped body

Have a smaller vertebral foramen

Articulate with the ribs

Lumbar vertebrae

Largest of the vertebrae, smaller vertebral foramen

Bear most of the weight

Sacrum and Coccyx

Sacrum consists of 5 fused bones that fuse shortly after pubertyProtects the reproductive, digestive, and urinary organsCoccyx consists of 3-5 fused vertebrae that usually begin fusing by age 26Provides an attachment site for muscles

Feature Cervical Thoracic Lumbar

Location

Body

VertebralForamenSpinous Process

TransverseProcessFunctions

Picture

Use pg. 216 to complete the following table