Bones Of The Axial Skeleton THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN

Vertebral Column • Transmits weight of trunk to lower limbs • Surrounds and protects spinal cord • Flexible curved structure containing 26 irregular bones (vertebrae) – – – Cervical vertebrae (7)—vertebrae of the neck Thoracic vertebrae (12)—vertebrae of the thoracic cage Lumbar vertebrae (5)—vertebra of the lower back Sacrum—bone inferior to the lumbar vertebrae Coccyx—terminus of vertebral column

C 1 Cervical curvature (concave) 7 vertebrae, C 1–C 7 Spinous process Transverse processes Thoracic curvature (convex) 12 vertebrae, T 1–T 12 Intervertebral discs Abnormal spine curvatures Scoliosis (abnormal lateral curve) Kyphosis (hunchback) Lordosis (swayback) Intervertebral foramen Lumbar curvature (concave) 5 vertebrae, L 1–L 5 Sacral curvature (convex) 5 fused vertebrae sacrum Anterior view Coccyx 4 fused vertebrae Right lateral view

Seven processes per vertebra: Spinous process—projects posteriorly Transverse processes (2)—project laterally Superior articular processes (2)—protrude superiorly inferiorly Inferior articular processes (2)—protrude inferiorly Lamina Transverse process Posterior Spinous process Superior articular process and facet Pedicle Anterior Vertebral arch Vertebral foramen Body (centrum)

Dens of axis Transverse ligament of atlas C 1 (atlas) C 2 (axis) C 3 Inferior articular process Bifid spinous process Transverse processes C 7 (vertebra prominens) (a) Cervical vertebrae Figure 7. 20 a

C 1 Posterior Lateral masses Posterior tubercle Posterior arch Anterior arch tubercle (a) Superior view of atlas (C 1) • • Transverse foramen Superior articular facet Posterior arch Transverse process Lateral masses Posterior tubercle Inferior articular facet Transverse Anterior foramen arch Facet for dens Anterior tubercle (b) Inferior view of atlas (C 1) C 1 (atlas) and C 2 (axis) have unique features Atlas (C 1) – No body or spinous process – Consists of anterior and posterior arches, and two lateral masses – Superior surfaces of lateral masses articulate with the occipital condyles

Posterior C 2 Inferior articular process Transverse process Dens Spinous process Lamina Pedicle Superior articular facet Body (c) Superior view of axis (C 2) Axis (C 2) Dens projects superiorly into the anterior arch of the atlas Dens is a pivot for the rotation of the atlas

Thoracic Vertebrae • T 1 to T 12 • All articulate with ribs at facets and demifacets • Long spinous process • Location of articular facets allows rotation of this area of spine

Thoracic Vertebrae • • T 1 to T 12 All articulate with ribs at facets and demifacets Long spinous process Location of articular facets allows rotation of this area of spine

Transverse process Superior articular process Transverse costal facet (for tubercle of rib) Intervertebral disc Body Spinous process Inferior costal facet (for head of rib) Inferior articular process (b) Thoracic vertebrae Figure 7. 20 b

Lumbar Vertebrae • • L 1 to L 5 Short, thick pedicles and laminae Flat hatchet-shaped spinous processes Orientation of articular facets locks lumbar vertebrae together so as to prevent rotation

Superior articular process Transverse process Spinous process Body Intervertebral disc Inferior articular process (c) Lumbar vertebrae Figure 7. 20 c

Sacrum and Coccyx • Sacrum – 5 fused vertebrae (S 1–S 5) – Forms posterior wall of pelvis – Articulates with L 5 superiorly, and with auricular surfaces of the hip bones laterally • Coccyx – Tailbone – 3– 5 fused vertebrae – Articulates superiorly with sacrum

Sacral promontory Ala Body of first sacral vertebra Transverse ridges (sites of vertebral fusion) Apex Anterior sacral foramina Coccyx (a) Anterior view Figure 7. 21 a

Ala Sacral canal Body Facet of superior articular process Auricular surface Median sacral crest Lateral sacral crest Posterior sacral foramina Coccyx Sacral hiatus (b) Posterior view Figure 7. 21 b

Thoracic Cage • Composed of – Thoracic vertebrae – Sternum – Ribs and their costal cartilages • Functions – Protects vital organs of thoracic cavity – Supports shoulder girdle and upper limbs – Provides attachment sites for many muscles, including intercostal muscles used during breathing

Jugular notch Clavicular notch Manubrium Sternal angle Body Xiphisternal joint Xiphoid process True ribs (1– 7) False ribs (8– 12) Sternum Intercostal spaces Costal cartilage Costal margin L 1 Vertebra Floating ribs (11, 12) (a) Skeleton of the thoracic cage, anterior view Figure 7. 22 a

Sternum (Breastbone) • Three fused bones – Manubrium • Articulates with clavicles and ribs 1 and 2 – Body • Articulates with costal cartilages of ribs 2 through 7 – Xiphoid process • Site of muscle attachment • Not ossified until ~ age 40 Ribs and Their Attachments • • 12 pairs All attach posteriorly to thoracic vertebrae Pairs 1 through 7 – True (vertebrosternal) ribs – Attach directly to the sternum by individual costal cartilages Pairs 8 through 12 – False ribs – Pairs 8– 10 also called vertebrochondral ribs • Attach indirectly to sternum by joining costal cartilage of rib above – Pairs 11– 12 also called vertebral (floating) ribs • No attachment to sternum

Main Parts Of A Typical True Rib Head: Articulates posteriorly with facets (demifacets) on bodies of two adjacent vertebrae Neck Tubercle: Articulates posteriorly with transverse costal facet of same-numbered thoracic vertebra Shaft Angle of rib Transverse costal facet (for tubercle of rib) Superior costal facet (for head of rib) Body of vertebra Head of rib Intervertebral disc Neck of rib Tubercle of rib Shaft Sternum Crosssection of rib Costal groove Costal cartilage (a) Vertebral and sternal articulations of a typical true rib

Articular facet on tubercle of rib Spinous process Shaft Ligaments Neck of rib Head of rib Transverse costal facet (for tubercle of rib) Body of thoracic vertebra Superior costal facet (for head of rib) (b) Superior view of the articulation between a rib and a thoracic vertebra