The Axial Skeleton Flashcards
which direction is cranial and caudal
Cranial > towards the brain (Think of cranial nerve )
Caudal > towards the tail bone
what layer forms the vertebrae and ribs
sclerotome
what forms the vertebral column in amniotes
pleurocentrum
What is apophyses
away, growth and offshoot
Difference between water and land animals in vertebral column?
Water > resist axial compression, some stiffness in lateral bending, maintain flexibility
Land > resist bending loads, maintain rigidity between supports
what do zygapophyses do?
Resist bending and torsion, absent in aquatic taxa
what regional specialisations to early tetrapod have?
Hindlimbs for sacral regions, cervical, maintain aquatic adaptations
what do primitive amniotes add ?
thoracolumbar region, ribs shorten towards hindlimb and improve range of motion
What does early mammals add ?
Thorax, lumbar which promotes rapids locomotion and reflects active lifestyle
what is the Atlas and Axis
atlas is the cervical vertebrae that holds up the head. Axis forms the joint connecting skull and spine
what specialisations do Avians have
Many cervical vertebrae, greater range of motion
How many cervical vertebra do mammals have
7, adding anymore is associated with cancer
What do ribs do in fish?
site for muscle attachment, stiffen body wall, shape body and protect viscera
What is a sternum
large keel for flight muscle attachment
What adaptations are in turtles thoracic?
Expanded ribs, fused vertebrae, dermal bones
