7.4

Question 1

Which groups of vertebrae make up the spinal column dorsal to the following regions?
1. Abdomen
2. Neck
3. Pelvis
4. Tail
5. Thorax

Answer 1

1. Abdomen: lumbar
2. Neck: cervical
3. Pelvis: sacral
4. Tail: coccygeal
5. Thorax: thoracic

Question 2

What are the three kinds of processes found on vertebrae and what are their characteristics?

Answer 2

1. single dorsally projecting spinous process
2. two laterally projecting transverse processes vary in size among vertebrae and act as sites for muscle attachment and leverage to move the spine and trunk.
3. articular processes are located on the cranial and caudal ends of the vertebral arches and help form the joints between adjacent vertebrae.

Question 3

Where in a vertebra is the spinal cord located?

Answer 3

Located within the Vertebral foramen formed by the vertebral arch and the vertebral body

Question 4

What are the names of the first two cervical vertebrae and what are their distinguishing characteristics?

Answer 4

The first cervical vertebra (atlas) supports the head and has wing-like transverse processes, with no vertebral body. The second cervical vertebra (axis) has a blade-like spinous process and a peg-like dens that fits into the atlas, forming the atlantoaxial joint.

Question 5

What is the difference between a sternal rib, an asternal rib, and a floating rib?

Answer 5

Sternal ribs connect to the sternum and form the front of the thorax. Asternal ribs connect to costal cartilage and make up the back part of the thorax. Floating ribs, the last one or two on each side, don’t attach to anything and end in the thoracic wall muscles.

Question 6

What is the manubrium?

Answer 6

The manubrium is the first, most cranial, sternebra.

Question 7

What is the xiphoid?

Answer 7

The xiphoid is the caudalmost sternebra.