6. Axial Skeleton

Question 1

Parts of the vertebral column

Answer 1

Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal

Question 2

Curvatures of the vertebral column

Answer 2

Primary (thoracic and sacral)

Secondary (cervical and lumbar)

Question 3

Shape of vertebral column and reasoning

Answer 3

S-shaped to support body mass

Question 4

Functions of ligaments of the spine

Answer 4

Multiple strap like ligaments provide support for vertebral column

Question 5

Main ligaments of the spine

Answer 5

Anterior longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, ligamentum flavum, supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament

Question 6

General parts of vertebrae

Answer 6

Body and vertebral arch are 2 main portions

Consist of vertebral foramen, superior and inferior articular process, transverse process, spinous process, laminate, and pedicle

Question 7

2 types of intervertebral foramina

Answer 7

Intervertebral foramen, articular processses

Question 8

Function and components of intervertebral discs

Answer 8

Pads between vertebral bodies

Consist of inner gel-like substance (nucleus pulposus) and outer fibrous connective tissue (anulus fibrosus)

Question 9

Condition where nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs protrude through anulus fibrosus and impinge on nerves

Answer 9

Slipped disc

Question 10

Features of cervical vertebrae

Answer 10

7 cervical vertebra

Unique features: bifid spinous process and transverse foramina

C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) are special

Question 11

Components of C1 (atlas)

Answer 11

Has a posterior tubercle rather than a spinous process

Does not have a body

Question 12

Components of C2 (axis)

Answer 12

Dens (odontoid process) projects superiorly to articulate with anterior arch of C1

Question 13

Parts of atlantoaxial joint

Answer 13

Articular facet for dens of axis, dens, transverse ligament, Atlas (C1), and axis (C2)

Question 14

Features of thoracic vertebrae

Answer 14

12 thoracic vertebrae

Unique features: costal facets on transverse processes; costal facets on body

Question 15

Features of lumbar vertebrae

Answer 15

5 lumbar vertebrae

Unique features: large vertebral bodies to support body weight

short, blunt spinous processes

Question 16

Features of sacrum

Answer 16

5 fused vertebrae

Articulates with hip bones to form pelvis

Question 17

Features of coccyx

Answer 17

4 fused vertebrae to make the vestigial tail

Question 18

Abnormal lateral curvature of spine

Answer 18

Scoliosis

Question 19

Excessive thoracic curvature of spine

Answer 19

Kyphosis

Question 20

Excessive lumbar curvature of spine

Answer 20

Lordosis

Question 21

Features of the ribs

Answer 21

24 ribs in total (12 on each side)

1-7 are true ribs, 8-12 are false ribs

Question 22

Attach directly to sternum

Answer 22

True ribs

Question 23

Ribs found attach to cartilage of rib above

Answer 23

False ribs 8-10

Question 24

Floating ribs with no attachment to sternum

Answer 24

False ribs 11-12

Question 25

Structural features of individual ribs

Answer 25

Head articulates with costal facets of adjacent vertebral bodies

Tubercle articulates with facet on transverse process

Question 26

Parts of the sternum

Answer 26

Manubrium, body, and xiphoid process with jugular notch at top and makes sternal angle

Question 27

Function of atlantoaxial joint

Answer 27

Uniaxial movement of the head via rotation

Ex) shaking head “no”

Question 28

Different features of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae

Answer 28

Cervical: bifid spinous process and transverse foramina

Thoracic: costal facets

Lumbar: large body