Vertebrae
H. Smith
3
Spinous process
Transverse processBody
Vertebral foraman
Intervertebral foraman
4
Muscular Attachments• muscular attachments on spinous and
transverse processes
5
Vertebral column
• Extends from skull to pelvis• Consists of many vertebrae separated by
cartilaginous intervertebral disks that are connected by ligaments
• Forms central axis of the skeleton
• Supports the head and the trunk of the body
• Flexible to permit movements
• Protects the spinal cord
How many vertebrae do we have?
• Adult: 26
• Infant: 33 separate bones– Five vertebrae fuse to form the sacrum and four
others join to become the coccyx
Components of vertebral column
• Cervical vertebrae• Thoracic vertebrae• Lumbar vertebrae• Sacrum• Coccyx
3 parts of Vertebra• Body:– Transfers weight along the axis; separated by
intervertebral discs
• Arch: surrounds vertebral foramen
• Articular process: – Intervertebral foramina: gaps b/t each vertebra;
permits passage of nerves to or from spinal cord
Cervical Vertebrae• Comprise the bony axis of the neck• Total of 7• Allows for 180 degree range of motion
• Atlas: (C1) holds up head– Practically no body or spine– Pivots around the dens of axis
• Axis: (C2) during development fuses with atlas
Atlas, C1, cervical vertebrae
Inferior view
Transverse foramen
Inferiorarticular facet
Vertebral foramen
Transverse process
Anterior arch
Posterior arch
Anterior tubercle
Posterior tuberclesteven leeM.S. PathologyFTCC
Axis, C2 cervical vertebrae Dens (odontoid process)
Superiorarticularfacet
Vertebral foramen
Spinousprocess
steven leeM.S. PathologyFTCC
Distinctions of Cervical• Transverse processes of cervical are DISTINCT b/c of
transverse foramina– Passageways for arteries leading to the brain
• Spinous processes:Uniquely forked (bifid): provide attachment for muscles
Thoracic Vertebrae• Total of 12
• Larger than cervical
• Long pointed spinous process slopes downward
• Bear increasing loads of body weight due to the increase in the body size of the vertebra
Thoracic
• Demi facets: on side of body to articulate with ribs
Lumbar • Total of 5 in small of back
• Supports more weight b/c of larger and stronger bodies
• Transverse processes point backwards at sharp angles
• Large Bodies
Lumbar
• Short spinous processes, provide muscle attachement
• Longer transverse processes
Sacral Vertebraefig 7.39
• Originates as 5 vertebrae
• Complete fusion by age 25 (18-30)
Coccygeal
• Originates as 4 vertebra, fuses as 1 bone• Fusion of time varies