Vertebrae

Question 1

Sacrum and Coccyx

Answer 1

• Nine vertebrae fuse to form two composite bones
  
  • Sacrum (5)
    
    • Formed by the fusion of five vertebrae
  • Coccyx (4)- Vestigial organ
    
    • Formed from the fusion of 3 to 5 vertebrae
    • Tailbone or remnant of a tail that other vertebrates have

Question 2

Spine Curvature

Answer 2

• The spine has a normal curvature
  
  • Primary curvatures are the spinal curvatures of the thoracic and sacral regions
    
    • Present from birth
  • Secondary curvatures are the spinal curvatures of the cervical and lumbar regions
    
    • Develop after birth’

Question 3

Spine Disorders

Answer 3

Scoliosis: Lateral curvature
Kyphosis: Over-exaggerated curvature in the upper thoracic region
Lordosis: Over-exaggerated curvature in lumbar region

Question 4

The Bony Thorax

Answer 4

Forms a cage to protect major organs

• Consist of three parts
  
  • Sternum
  • Ribs
    
    • True ribs (pairs 1-7)
    • False ribs (pairs 8-12)
    • Floating ribs (pairs 11-12)
  • Attach to the thoracic vertebrae

Question 5

Vertebrae according to location

Answer 5

• There are 24 single vertebral bones separated by intervertebral discs
  - 7 cervical vertebrae are in the neck
  - 12 thoracic vertebrae are in the chest
  - 5 lumbar vertebrae are associated with the lower back

Question 6

Cervical Vertebrae

Answer 6

• Location: Neck
• C1: Atlas (facet)
• C2: Axis (dens)
• irregular because of this^^^
• holes in the transverse processes
• small, light