cervical vertabrae
7 total numbered C1-C7, smallest and lightest vertebrae, and its uniqe for its atlas and axis
Atlas (C1)
first vertebra, support globe of head; articulates with occipital condyle with superior articular process; short anterior arch long posterior arch; no body and no spinous process
Axis
C-2, has large, broad dorsal spinous projections and cranial projection that fits into C-1
Dens
ondontoid process: projects superiorly from the body and i cradled in the anterior arch of the atlas: pivot point for the rotation of the atlas
Thoracic Vertabrae
12 total, numbered T1-T12, larger than cervical, longer papable spinous process, and ribs attach here
Lumbar Vertabrae
5 total, numbered L1-L5, huge bodies and short spinous processes, holds most of the body weight and tress, very sturdy
Sacrum
five vertebrae that become fused into one triangular-shaped flat bone at the base of the vertebral column
Coccyx
This is name for the inferior-most 4 vertebrae although it varies from 3 to 5 vertebrae. Usually the inferior vertebrae are fused together, while the vertebra that is most superior may not be fused to the sacrum. It can be broken during a fall, or sometim
Spinal Column
33 vertebrae, Cervical (neck, 7 vertebra), Thoracic (upper back, 12 vertebra), Lumbar (lower back, 5 vertebra), Sacral (back wall of pelvis, 5 vertebra, fused), Coccyx (tail bone, 4 vertebra, fused)
Ribs
Vertebrosternal = 'True ribs" -ribs 1-7 attach directly to the sternum through their costal cartilage. Vertebrochondral = "False ribs" =ribs 8-10 costal cartilage articulate indirectly with the sternumb by joing the costal cartilages of ribs above. Verteb
True Ribs
R1-R7 pairs. these Articulate Directly with the Sternum by way of Costal Cartilage
False Ribs
8-10 connected to vertebrae but not sternum, connect to cartilage of 7 rib above
Floating Ribs
11th and 12th pair of ribs that do not connect to either the sternum or another pair of ribs anteriorly; they are attached posteriorly to the verterbra and are free and palable
Sternum
consists of manubrium, a body and a xiphoid process (most inferior portion of the sternum)...also known as the breastbone
Manubrium
triangular shaped region. articulates with the clavicles of the appendicular skeleton and with the cartilages of the first pair of ribs.
Xiphoid Process
This structure is the most inferior of the sternebrae. In a young person it is hyaline cartilage, but is bone by the time one is 40 years old. It is sometimes broken when a person receives CPR. It is part of the origin for the diaphragm and insertion for