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Vertebral Column. The Vertebral Column. Provides a column of support bearing weight of the head, neck, and trunk Transfers weight to the lower limbs of the appendicular skeleton Protects the spinal cord Helps maintain an upright body position. Vertebral column. 26 bones 24 Vertebrae
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The Vertebral Column • Provides a column of support bearing weight of the head, neck, and trunk • Transfers weight to the lower limbs of the appendicular skeleton • Protects the spinal cord • Helps maintain an upright body position
Vertebral column • 26 bones • 24 Vertebrae • Cervical (7) • Begins at neck and extends inferiorly to the trunk Thoracic (12) superior portion of the back Each articulates with one or more ribs
Vertebral Column Lumbar (5) Inferior portion of the back The 5th one articulates with the sacrum Sacrum (1)- articulates with the coccyx Coccyx (1) tailbone The 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 puberty • Protects the reproductive, digestive, and urinary organs • Coccyx consists of 3-5 fused vertebrae that usually begin fusing by age 26 • Provides an attachment site for muscles