Total number of vertebrae in the human column?
33
Five regions of the vertebral column?
Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacral, and Coccygeal
The weight-bearing segment of a vertebra?
The Body
Structure that separates vertebral bodies?
The Intervertebral disc
Passageway that encloses and protects the spinal cord?
The Vertebral foramen
Process that extends posteriorly from the vertebral foramen?
The Spinous process
C1 Vertebra special name?
The Atlas
C2 Vertebra special name?
The Axis
Feature of C2 that acts as a pivot point for head rotation?
The Dens
Unique passageways in cervical vertebrae for arteries to the brain?
The Transverse foramen
Cervical spinous process that can be felt at the base of the neck?
C7 (Vertebra prominens)
Description of the spinous process of C2 through C6?
Bifid process (split end)
Number of thoracic vertebrae and pairs of ribs?
12 thoracic vertebrae and 12 pairs of ribs
Thoracic features where ribs articulate?
Rib facets on the transverse processes
Vertebrae type with the longest spinous process?
Thoracic vertebrae
Vertebrae of the lower back with large, sturdy bodies?
Lumbar vertebrae
Fused sacral vertebrae form which bone in adults?
The Sacrum (5 sacral vertebrae fused)
Fused coccygeal vertebrae form which bone?
The Coccyx (Tailbone)
Three segments of the sternum?
Manubrium, Body, and Xiphoid process
Rib pairs (1-7) that attach directly to the sternum?
True Ribs (or vertebrosternal ribs)
Rib pairs (8-10) whose costal cartilage joins the 7th rib’s cartilage?
False ribs (vertebrochondral ribs)
Rib pairs (11 and 12) that do not attach to the sternum?
Floating Ribs
Effect of rib elevation (bucket handle motion) on thoracic volume?
Increased thoracic volume (Inhalation)
Effect of rib lowering on thoracic volume?
Decreased thoracic volume (Exhalation)
