The Vertebral Column (a.k.a. Spine)

1. The Vertebral Column(a.k.a. Spine)

2. Keeping Your Spine Healthy! p.130-131 Read “Protect Your Back” on p. 130-131 and answer the following questions in one paragraph each: • Why do some people get back pain? • What can be done to prevent back pain? Explain why.

3. Vertebral Column • Functions: • Supports head • Encases spinal cord • Attachment point for ribs & muscles of the back

4. Vertebral Column • Curvature of spine • Cervical & lumbar convex (bulge out) • Thoracic & sacral concave (curve in)

5. Abnormal Spinal Curvatures

6. Abnormal Spinal Curvatures Scoliosis= abnormal lateral curvature Kyphosis= exaggerated thoracic curvature Lordosis= exaggerated lumbar curvature

7. Vertebral Column • Vertebrae • Series of bones making up the vertebral column • Vary by type, but have same general features

8. Vertebral Column Typical vertebra:

9. Vertebral Column Typical vertebra:

10. Vertebral Column • Vertebrae are numbered from top down, as well as by type • Ex: T1 is the first thoracic vertebrae

11. Vertebral Column • Cervical vertebrae 1 & 2 have different shape (due to their location) • C1= atlas • Supports the head • C2= axis • Contains pivot point on which atlas & head rotate

12. Vertebral Column

13. Vertebral Column 5 regions • Cervical = neck • Smallest • Foramina (holes) for vertebral arteries • Thoracic = chest • Larger • Articulate with ribs • Lumbar = lower back • Largest & sturdiest • Short spinous processes

14. Vertebral Column 5 regions • Sacrum = “sacred bone” • Posterior wall of pelvic girdle • Joins laterally with hip bones • Coccyx = tail bone

15. Vertebral Column 5 regions • Sacrum = “sacred bone” • Posterior wall of pelvic girdle • Joins laterally with hip bones • Coccyx = tail bone • Remnant from ancestral tail

16. Vertebral Column • Body (anterior) • Thick, disk-shaped • Weight-bearing • Vertebral arch (posterior) • Forms space for spinal cord • Spinous process (posterior) • Attachment for muscles

17. Vertebral Column • Vertebral foramen • Canal for spinal cord • Articular processes (superior & inferior) • Join to adjacent vertebrae • Transverse processes (lateral) • Attachment for muscles

18. Thoracic Cage Functions: • Protects organs of thoracic cavity (heart, lungs) • Supports bones of shoulder & upper limbs

19. Thoracic Cage Sternum • Breastbone • Center of anterior thoracic wall

20. Thoracic Cage Sternum • Three parts: • Upper = manubrium • Middle = body • Lower = xyphoid process

21. Thoracic Cage Ribs • 12 pairs • Each rib articulates posteriorly with thoracic vertebrae • Ex: Rib 4 articulates with T4 • Ribs 1-7 are called true ribs • Connected to sternum by costal cartilage

22. Thoracic Cage Ribs • Rest are false ribs = do not articulate directly with sternum • Ribs 8-10 attach to the cartilage of the 7th rib • Ribs 11&12 are floating ribs = not attached anteriorly at all • Only connect posteriorlyto thoracic vertebrae • Intercostal spaces between ribs are occupied by intercostal muscles, blood vessels, nerves