Skeletal System Part-2

Bones of Axial Skeleton

MMB ‫صقر العتيبي‬

Riyadh B-21

Anatomy Course
ANAT 211, 212 and 213
Term 2, 2022-23
Basic Sciences Department,
COSHP, KSAU-HS, KSA
 The Skeletal System Part-2
By the end of this session the student should be able to:
• Describe the parts of vertebral column (spine).
• Describe briefly, the salient features of cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and
coccygeal vertebra.
• Describe the normal and abnormal curvature of the spine.
• Name the bones forming the thoracic cage (ribs and sternum).
 Vertebral Column
The vertebral column is composed of 33
vertebrae arranged in 5 regions:
1-Cervical (neck), 7 vertebrae (C1-C7)
2-Thoracic (chest), 12 vertebrae (T1-T12)
3-Lumbar (lower back), 5 vertebrae (L1-L5)
4-Sacral (pelvis), 5 fused vertebrae (S1-S5)
5-Coccygeal (tail), 3-5 fused vertebrae (Co1-Co4)
• In a fetus the vertebral column is formed of
33 separate bones haven't fuse yet
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• As you proceed from the head down the
vertebral column, the vertebrae become
larger and heavier so that the vertebral
column can bear the weight of the body
 Vertebral Column
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Typical vertebra consists of:

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1.Body: anterior solid part which transmits
weight
2.Vertebral (neural) arch: posterior part which
encloses the vertebral foramen

The vertebral arch consists of

Pedicles (pair): project from body sat www.diodlssid
Laminae (pair): unite to form arch posteriorly
Seven processes: attached to the vertebral arch:

Ijoint
Four articular processes: (two superior and two
inferior)
Two transverse processes
One spine (spinous process)
• Spinal nerves leave vertebral canal via
intervertebral foramina---between vertebrae fifties
 Cervical Vertebrae
Structure of vertebrae varies from region to region
• Features of typical cervical vertebrae:
Cervical vertebrae 3-6 (C3- C6) are typical cervical
vertebrae, as they share same features
divided
Body is oval and small t.ws she
Transverse foramen is present in transverse process
(C1-C7) through which vertebral artery & veins pass TI
Spinous Process is bifid (divided)

• Features of atypical cervical vertebrae:

C1, C2 and C7 are atypical cervical vertebrae
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• 1st cervical vertebra (C1) is called Atlas
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It is a ring like bone. It doesn’t bear any body and
spinous process Body do
Superior articular facets join with the occipital bone of
skull; permits Flexion/Extension (‘YES’ movement of
hyperextensionofheadh
and
head). fexion
 Cervical Vertebrae
• 2nd cervical vertebra (C2) is called as Axis
It has tooth- like odontoid process, the Dens
(fused body of C1)
Joint between C1-C2 is a pivot joint allowing
side to side rotation; ‘NO’ movement of
head

• 7th cervical vertebra (C7)

It bears a long spinous process which is not
bifid as in typical cervical vertebrae
It is called the vertebra prominence and
used as a landmark to count the other
vertebrae because its spinous process can
be seen and palpated through the skin.
sidated
 Thoracic Vertebrae
There are 12 thoracic vertebrae; all are
characterized by their articulation with ribs

A typical thoracic vertebra has:

Body is heart (triangular) shaped tIÉ
Two partial facets (superior and inferior costal
facets) on each side of the vertebral body for
articulation with the head of the ribs E i f
Each transverse process also has a costal facet
for articulation with the tubercle of its own rib
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and inferiorly mIsnIDITIb

Spinous process is long and inclined posteriorly
partial
transerne

costal facet bz iJ1sw1f

 Lumber Vertebrae
There are 5 lumbar vertebrae large

Theses are distinguished from vertebrae in other

regions by their large size
They lack facets for articulation with ribs
Vertebral body is hefty (big)

vertebral foramen is triangular

Transverse processes are generally thin and long
Spinous Process broad and site

The cervical and the lumbar regions have the

thickest intervertebral discs and are the most
flexible parts of the vertebral column.
th
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 Sacrum
5 fused vertebrae
Lateral Mass:
Fused transverse processes
Medial crest: we
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Fused spinous process
Anterior & posterior sacral foramina:
Intervertebral foramina for sacral spinal
nerves
Sacroiliac joint:
Transmits weight from vertebrae to
pelvis ilium superiorpartof hipbone
Coccyx
4 fused vertebrae
Rudimentary tail bones If is
 Curvatures of the Vertebral Column
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• The vertebral column in adults has four curvatures: cervical,
thoracic, lumbar, and sacral
• The thoracic and sacral curvatures are primary curvatures. These
are present during the fetal period in relationship to the (flexed)
fetal position natural notpathologicconditions
• Secondary curvatures: the cervical and lumber are acquired, they
begin to develop as a compensatory Énn mechanism for changes in
posture, to facilitate holding the head up and walking upright.
Abnormal Curvatures of the Vertebral Column
pathologiccondition
Kyphosis: is an exaggerated thoracic curvature,
producing a “hunchback” look
a III D wind

Lordosis: is an abnormal curvature of the

vertebral column in the lumbar region
commonly seen in females during pregnancy or
in men with "pot bellies"
we
Generally it is caused due
to enlargementof abdomen

Scoliosis is the most common spinal curvature

deformity during late childhood in females. It is
an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine
6 6621
 Thoracic Cage 61 III
The thoracic cage consists of:
12 thoracic vertebrae posteriorly
12 pairs of ribs laterally
Sternum anteriorly SIDE
Acts as a protective cage around vital organs, such as the heart, lungs,
trachea, and esophagus.
Provides attachment for many muscles and supporting the pectoral
girdle, the chest, the neck, shoulders, back, and the muscles involved in
respiration