The Vertebral Column: Osteology

Which curvatures of the spine are lordotic?

Which curvatures of the spine are kyphotic?

Why is the vertebral column particularly flexible?

Which are the primary curves of the spine that are retained from the original foetal curvature?

Which secondary curve of the spine develops as the child begins to hold its head up?

Which secondary curve of the spine develops as a child begins to walk?

Fill in the blanks to label the structure of this thoracic vertebra.

What are the intervertebral foramina?

Match the correct components of the vertebrae to their functions. The [blank_start]body[blank_end] supports the whole body's weight. The [blank_start]vertebral arch[blank_end] is formed by the [blank_start]laminae[blank_end] which protect the contents of the vertebral column and transmit force from the articular processes to the body of the vertebra. It is also formed by the [blank_start]pedicles[blank_end] which channel forces exerted on the posterior elements to the body to resist bending. The [blank_start]vertebral foramen[blank_end] contains the spinal cord. The [blank_start]superior/inferior vertebral nothces[blank_end] form intervertebral foramina between adjacent vertebrae to allow the exit of spinal nerves from the spinal cord. The [blank_start]transverse processes[blank_end] and [blank_start]spinous processes[blank_end] allow sites for muscular attachment. The [blank_start]facets[blank_end] are sites for the formation of synovial plane joints.

The internal structure of the vertebral body is trabeculated.

Other than the bone structure itself, what is another feature of the vertebral body that helps it support weight?

How many cervical vertebrae are there?

How do we describe the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae?

Which cervical vertebrae is palpable from the skin?

Where are the extra foramina found on the cervical vertebrae?

What passes through the transverse foramina in the cervical spine?

What is the first cervical vertebra also referred to as?

The atlas (C1) has no body or spinous process.

Which cervical vertebrae has the longest and most laterally extended transverse processes of the C spine?

Why are the superior articular processes deeply curved on the C1 vertebra (the atlas)?

What is the axis?

What is the odontoid process/dens?

Label this diagram of a typical cervical vertebra, i.e. C3-C6.

Label this diagram of the cervical spine.

Label this diagram of C1, the atlas.

Label this diagram of C2, the axis.

This diagram shows the upper portion of the cervical spine. Label it to show how the force of the skull, shown by the black arrows, is transmitted through the C spine.

How many thoracic vertebrae are there?

What limits flexion of the thoracic spine?

In which direction do the superior articular processes of the thoracic vertebrae face?

In which direction do the inferior articular processes of the thoracic vertebrae face?

Which feature of the thoracic vertebrae tells you that this is what you are examining?

Which facets of the thoracic vertebrae articulate with the tubercles of the ribs?

Where do the costal articular facets move to the middle of the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae?

Fill in the blanks to label this image of a thoracic vertebra.

Label this image of the thoracic spine, including where the thoracic vertebrae articulate with the ribs.

How many lumbar vertebrae are there?

Which of the vertebrae have the largest relative size and thickness of their bodies?

What is a trend down the lumbar spine?

What direction does the superior articular process of the lumbar vertebrae face?

What direction does the inferior articular process face in the lumbar vertebrae?

The lumbar vertebrae have no additional foramina or articular processes.

Label these images of the lumbar vertebrae.

The sacral vertebrae fuse in utero.

Fill in the blanks below to describe the origins of the sacral crests. The median sacral crest is a remnant of the fused [blank_start]spinous processes[blank_end] of the sacral vertebrae. The lateral sacral crest is a remnant of the fused [blank_start]transverse processes[blank_end] of the sacral vertebrae.

Label this image to show the sacral crests.

What is the coccyx?

Label this diagram of the sacrum.

The coccyx is weight-bearing.

Where does the sacral canal terminate?