CAUTION

• The Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1979 (Qld) binds all 
persons and is, thereby, relevant to all UQ anatomy 
students.

• It is stated under s36 (2) of the Act : 
“A person who performs an anatomical examination upon a 
body shall do so in a quiet, orderly and decent manner”. 
This requirement shall be met for any and all use of donated 
human tissues at UQ. This includes, but is not limited to: 
– tissue use by students during attendance at the Gross Anatomy Facility; 
– hardcopy use of images of donated tissues; 
– accessing UQ lecture notes or other online UQ anatomy resources 
containing references to, or images of, donated human tissues; 
– use of notes inside or outside of class time. 

• The SBMS Code of Conduct for Use of Donated Human 
Tissues equally applies.
www.legislation.qld.gov.au/Acts_SLs/Su
perseded/SUPERS_T/Transpl_AnatA79.
htm
Do not remove this notice.
 ANAT1005
1 Aug 2018
The AXIAL SKELETON
Vertebral Column & 
Thoracic Cage

Carl N. Stephan, PhD

c.stephan@uq.edu.au
426 Otto Hirschfeld (B81)
 Learning Outcomes
To be able to:
1. Differentiate the body cavities bordered (in part) by the thoracic 
cage.

2. Identify, describe and understand the significance of:
• All 26 bones of the vertebral column, 24 ribs and 3 bones of the 
sternum; 
• The joints that connect these bones.

3. Describe the basic movement of the thoracic cage during breathing.

Relevant parts of Marieb 8th Ed.:

Chapter 1 (Revision) – Terminology / Regions
Chapter 4 (Revision) – Connective Tissues
Chapter 7 – The Vertebral Column p. 206-214; The Thoracic Cage p. 214-216
Infracranial Axial Skeleton

Vertebral column (26 bones)
• 7 cervical vertebrae
• 12 thoracic vertebrae
• 5 lumbar vertebrae
• 1 sacrum (5 fused segments)
• 1 coccyx (4 fused segments)

Rib cage (approx. 27 bones)
• 24 ribs (12 on each side)
• 3 bones of the sternum
 Cranial cavity

Major Body
Cavities Thoracic cavity inlet

Thoracic cavity

Vertebral canal
Diaphragm
Thoracic cavity outlet

Abdominal cavity

Pelvic cavity

Lateral view
 Cranial cavity

Vertebral canal
Thoracic cavity inlet

Mediastinum Plural cavity

Pericardial cavity

Thoracic cavity outlet
Abdominal cavity

Pelvic cavity

Major Body
Cavities Anterior view
Osteology of the Back

Images from: Martini (2006) Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology

Rohen et al. (2002) Color Atlas of Anatomy
Functions of vertebral column

• Mechanics:
• Support
• Protection
• Movement

• Metabolic:
• Nutrient store (minerals and lipids)
• Blood cell formation (Hematopoiesis)
 Structure of 
the vertebral 
column

Images from: Moore and Dalley (1999) Clinically Oriented Anatomy

Rohen et al. (2002) Color Atlas of Anatomy
Structure of vertebral column
 Structure of vertebral column

Curves:
• Primary
• Secondary

Images from: Moore and Dalley (1999) Clinically Oriented Anatomy

Rohen et al. (2002) Color Atlas of Anatomy
 Curves of the Vertebral Column

Images from: Jenkins (2002) Hollinshead’s Functional Anatomy of

the Back and Limbs
Rohen et al. (2002) Color Atlas of Anatomy
Images from: Jenkins (2002) Hollinshead’s Functional Anatomy of the Back and Limbs
General Features of Vertebrae

Image from: Martini (2006) Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology

Specific Features of Vertebrae
Cervical:    (atypical = C1, C2, C7)
• Bifid spine
• Transverse foramen
• Triangular and wide vertebral canal
• Small oval body

Thoracic: (atypical = T1, T9, T10, T11, T12)

– Inferiorly projecting spine
– Large transverse processes
– Circular small vertebral canal
– Triangular body
– Articular facets for ribs
Lumbar:
– robust, but short stumpy spine
– small transverse processes
– Small triangular vertebral canal
– Large round body
Images from: Martini (2006) Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology
Typical Cervical Vertebrae Structure
Atypical Cervical Vertebrae Structure
Atypical Cervical Vertebrae 
(C1, C2, C7)

Atlas (C1) Axis (C2) C7

Atypical Cervical Vertebrae
Typical Thoracic Vertebrae Structure
Typical Lumbar Vertebrae Structure
Sacrum
 Ellipsoidal
Basic arthrology of the  (Bicondylar)
vertebral column

Gliding Pivot
Zygapophyseal
joint or

Plane

Symphysis

Images from:
Oatis (2004) Kinesiology
Martini (2006) Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology Gliding diarthrosis
White (2000) Human Osteology
Structure of the rib cage
Sternum

• Manubrium

• Body

• Xiphoid

Image from: Abrahams et al. (1998) Colour Atlas of Human Anatomy

General features of Ribs
General features of Ribs
General features of Ribs
Movement of the Rib Cage
during Breathing
Elevate ribs Depress ribs

Image from: Moore and Dalley (1999) Clinically Oriented Anatomy

Bucket and Pump

Images from: Moore and Dalley (1999) Clinically Oriented Anatomy

 Short Answer Review Question

(a) The vertebral column consists of 5 primary regions. Identify 
each these regions and state the number of bones or bony 
segments in each one (2.5 marks);
(b) The ribs attach to which region of the vertebral column? (0.5 
marks);
(c) The mechanics of the rib cage enable an increase in both the 
transverse and antero‐posterior diameter of the rib cage 
during rib elevation. Describe the two (2) characteristic types 
of movement of the ribs that enable these increases in 
thoracic diameter (2 marks).