INTRODUCTION. introduction to anatomy and physiology
- 1. INTRODUCTION The Vertebral Column. The vertebrae column also known as the backbone or spine is a part of the axial skeleton. The vertebrae column houses the spinal canal , a cavity that encloses and protects the spinal chord
- 3. • The number of vertebrae in a region can vary but overall the number remains the same. • In a human’s vertebrae column, there are normally 33 vertebrae. The vertebrae column is divided into five regions of which each region is made up of a number of vertebrae.
- 4. • 1. Cervical vertebrae • 2. Thoracic vertebrae • 3. Lumbar vertebrae • 4.Sacral vertebrae / scrum • 5.Coccyx • Between these vertebra are intervertebral disk, which is a fibrocartilaginous structure connecting the vertebrae.
- 6. Characteristics Of A Vertebra Body: This is broad, flattened, largest part of the vertebra. When the vertebra are stacked together in the vertebra column, the flattened surface of the body of each vertebra articulate with the corresponding surfaces of the vertebra above and below. There is no direct contact between bone to bone but a fibrocartilage called the intervertebral disc separates these bones.
- 8. Vertebra neural arch. The Vertebra neural arch encloses a large foramen. It lies behind the body and forms the posterior and lateral walls of the vertebra foramen. The lateral walls are formed from plates of the bones called pedicles and the posterior walls are formed from laminae. Projecting from the regions where the pedicles meets the lamina is a lateral prominence called the transverse process. Spinous process, is where the two lamina meet.
- 10. Cervical vertebrae These are the smallest vertebrae because they only have to support the head. The transverse process have a foramen through which a vertebra artery passes upwards to the brain.
- 11. The Atlas (C1) The first cervical vertebra (C1) also known as the atlas is the bone on which the skull rests. The atlas is a ring of bone, with no distinct body or spinous process. It has two flattened facet that articulate with the occipital bone, these are condyloid joint and they permit nodding of the head.
- 12. Function of C1 •Functions as a cradle to support the head.
- 13. The Axis (C2) •The axis sits below the atlas, and has a small body with a small superior projection called the Dens or odontoid process. •This occupies a part of the posterior foramen of the atlas above and is held securely within its transverse ligament. The head pivots on this joint.
- 14. Function of C2 •It functions as a pivot point for the rotation of the atlas
- 15. The 7th Cervical Vertebra •The 7th cervical vertebra is also known as the vertebrae prominences. It has a long spinous prominence terminating in a swollen tubercle, which is easily felt at the base of the neck.
- 17. The Thoracic Vertebrae •The thoracic vertebra consist of 12 vertebra bone which are larger than the cervical vertebra because this section of the vertebra column has to support the more body weight. •The bodies and transverse processes have facets for articulation with the ribs.