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Axial Skeleton: Spine & Rib Cage - Anatomy & Physiology

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  • What are the major functions of the vertebral column?
    Transmits body weight from trunk to lower extremities, protects the spinal cord, maintains upright posture, and provides mobility and flexibility.
  • How many bones make up the vertebral column?
    26 irregular bones: 24 vertebrae, 1 sacrum (fused), and 1 coccyx (fused).
  • Name the regions of the spine and their main functions.
    Cervical (7): supports skull; Thoracic (12): rib attachment; Lumbar (5): weight bearing; Sacrum (1 fused): pelvic attachment; Coccyx (1 fused): muscle attachment.
  • What is the purpose of spinal curves?
    Allow flexibility, shock absorption, proper weight transmission, and compression handling.
  • Differentiate between kyphosis and lordosis curves.
    Kyphosis: posterior curve (backward C), primary, in thoracic and sacral regions; Lordosis: anterior curve (forward C), secondary, in cervical and lumbar regions.
  • When do secondary spinal curves develop?
    Cervical lordosis develops when infant lifts head; lumbar lordosis develops when infant stands and walks.
  • What is scoliosis and how is it treated based on curve degree?
    Abnormal lateral curvature of spine. 1–20°: conservative care; 20–50°: bracing; >50°: surgery.
  • What are the key structural parts of a vertebra and their functions?
    Body: weight bearing; Vertebral foramen: houses spinal cord; Spinous & transverse processes: muscle attachment; Lamina & pedicle: support vertebral arch; Facets: articulation surfaces.
  • How can you identify if a vertebra is viewed from superior or inferior?
    Spinous process points downward; if process points down, viewing superior (top); if upward, viewing inferior (bottom).
  • What are the unique features of cervical vertebrae?
    Small bodies, triangular vertebral foramen, bifid spinous process, and presence of transverse foramina containing vertebral arteries.
  • What is the function of the transverse foramen in cervical vertebrae?
    Contains vertebral arteries that supply 15–20% of blood to the brain.
  • Describe the atlas (C1) vertebra and its function.
    No body or spinous process, ring-shaped with anterior and posterior arches, largest vertebral foramen; supports skull and allows 'YES' nodding motion.
  • Describe the axis (C2) vertebra and its function.
    Has dens (odontoid process) projecting upward into atlas; allows head rotation or 'NO' motion.
  • What are the key features of thoracic vertebrae?
    Attach to ribs, have perfectly round vertebral foramen, long pointed spinous process, and heart-shaped body.
  • How do lumbar vertebrae differ from cervical vertebrae?
    Lumbar have largest bodies, thick oval shape, short flat spinous process; both have triangular foramen but lumbar lack transverse foramina.
  • What are the functions of the sacrum and coccyx?
    Sacrum attaches to pelvic bones; coccyx serves as muscle attachment and is tailbone; both are not weight-bearing.
  • What tissue type composes intervertebral discs and their function?
    Fibrocartilage; acts as shock absorbers between vertebrae.
  • What are the components of an intervertebral disc and their roles?
    Nucleus pulposus: gel center for shock absorption; Annulus fibrosus: collagen outer ring containing the gel.
  • Differentiate between bulging and herniated discs.
    Bulging disc: disc shifts without tear; herniated disc: tear in annulus fibrosus with nucleus pulposus leaking out.
  • What are the main components of the thoracic cage?
    Thoracic vertebrae, sternum, ribs, and costal cartilage.
  • List the parts of the sternum and their functions.
    Manubrium: clavicle attachment; Body: rib attachment; Xiphoid process: CPR landmark and muscle attachment.
  • What are the three types of ribs and their anterior attachments?
    True ribs: attach directly to sternum; False ribs: attach to cartilage above; Floating ribs: no anterior attachment.
  • What is the mnemonic to remember rib attachments?
    "T goes with T": Tubercle attaches to Transverse process; Head attaches to Vertebral body.
  • What are the clinical consequences of disrupted rib alignment?
    Pain with breathing and difficulty expanding rib cage due to impaired rib movement needed for breathing.