Axial Skeleton 2

Question 1

What is the vertebral column also known as?

Answer 1

Spinal column

Question 2

How many irregular shaped bones make up the vertebral column?

Answer 2

26 irregular shaped bones

Question 3

What are the five different regions of the vertebral column?

Answer 3

• Cervical spine
• Thoracic spine
• Lumbar spine
• Sacrum
• Coccyx

Question 4

What is the function of the vertebral column?

Answer 4

Transmits the weight of the trunk to the lower limbs and protects the spinal cord

Question 5

How many cervical vertebrae are present in the human spine?

Answer 5

7 cervical vertebrae

Question 6

What is the term for the normal curvatures of the spine?

Answer 6

Concave or convex

Question 7

What is scoliosis?

Answer 7

A lateral curvature of the spine causing a rotation

Question 8

Define kyphosis.

Answer 8

An exaggerated thoracic curvature in a posterior direction

Question 9

What does lordosis refer to?

Answer 9

An exaggerated lumbar curvature or sway back

Question 10

What are the main components of a typical vertebra?

Answer 10

• Body
• Vertebral arch
• Spinous process
• Transverse processes

Question 11

What does the vertebral foramen form when vertebrae are stacked?

Answer 11

Vertebral canal

Question 12

What is unique about cervical vertebrae?

Answer 12

They contain transverse foramen for vertebral arteries

Question 13

What shape is the vertebral body of thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 13

Heart-shaped

Question 14

What is the function of the lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 14

Weight-bearing of the entire upper limb and trunk

Question 15

What are C1 and C2 known as?

Answer 15

C1 is the Atlas and C2 is the Axis

Question 16

What is the purpose of intervertebral discs?

Answer 16

Cushion between vertebral bodies and act as shock absorbers

Question 17

What is the structure of the sacrum?

Answer 17

Formed by five fused vertebrae

Question 18

What does the thoracic cage consist of?

Answer 18

• Thoracic vertebrae
• Ribs
• Sternum and costal cartilages

Question 19

What are the three parts of the sternum?

Answer 19

• Manubrium
• Body
• Xiphoid process

Question 20

What are true ribs?

Answer 20

Ribs 1-7 that attach directly to the sternum

Question 21

What are false ribs?

Answer 21

Ribs 8-12 that attach indirectly to the sternum

Question 22

What are floating ribs?

Answer 22

Ribs 11 and 12 that have no anterior attachment

Question 23

What is the significance of the sternal angle?

Answer 23

It lies in front of the aortic arch and is a landmark for T4

Question 24

What is the total number of vertebrae in the vertebral column?

Answer 24

33 in an infant, 26 in an adult

Question 25

What happens to the coccyx in adults?

Answer 25

It consists of 4 fused vertebrae

Question 26

What are the typical vertebrae in the cervical region?

Answer 26

C3 to C7

Question 27

What is a herniated disc also known as?

Answer 27

A slipped disc

Question 28

What are the components of the rib cage?

Answer 28

* Thoracic vertebrae * Ribs * Sternum

Question 29

What type of curvature do cervical vertebrae exhibit?

Answer 29

Concave

Question 30

What type of curvature do thoracic vertebrae exhibit?

Answer 30

Convex

Question 31

What is the function of the dens on the Axis?

Answer 31

Acts as a pivot point for the rotation of the Atlas

Question 32

Fill in the blank: The vertebral column terminates at the _______.

Answer 32

Coccyx

Question 33

True or False: The lumbar vertebrae have a larger vertebral foramen than cervical vertebrae.

Answer 33

False