Vertebral Column
The vertebral column is composed of 33 vertebrae arranged in 5 regions:
1-Cervical (neck), 7 vertebrae (C1-C7)
2-Thoracic (chest), 12 vertebrae (T1-T12)
3-Lumbar (lower back), 5 vertebrae (L1-L5)
4-Sacral (pelvis), 5 fused vertebrae (S1-S5)
5-Coccygeal (tail), 3-5 fused vertebrae (Co1-Co4)
• In a fetus the vertebral column is formed of 33 separate bones
, • As you proceed from the head down the vertebral column, the vertebrae
become larger and heavier so that the vertebral column can bear the weight of
the body
Typical vertebra consists of:
1.Body: anterior solid part which transmits weight
2.Vertebral (neural) arch: posterior part which encloses the vertebral foramen
The vertebral arch consists of
Pedicles (pair): project from body
Laminae (pair): unite to form arch posteriorly
Seven processes: attached to the vertebral arch:
Four articular processes: (two superior and two inferior)
Two transverse processes
One spine (spinous process)
• Spinal nerves leave vertebral canal via intervertebral foramina---between
vertebrae
Cervical Vertebrae
Structure of vertebrae varies from region to region
• Features of typical cervical vertebrae:
The vertebral column is composed of 33 vertebrae arranged in 5 regions:
1-Cervical (neck), 7 vertebrae (C1-C7)
2-Thoracic (chest), 12 vertebrae (T1-T12)
3-Lumbar (lower back), 5 vertebrae (L1-L5)
4-Sacral (pelvis), 5 fused vertebrae (S1-S5)
5-Coccygeal (tail), 3-5 fused vertebrae (Co1-Co4)
• In a fetus the vertebral column is formed of 33 separate bones
, • As you proceed from the head down the vertebral column, the vertebrae
become larger and heavier so that the vertebral column can bear the weight of
the body
Typical vertebra consists of:
1.Body: anterior solid part which transmits weight
2.Vertebral (neural) arch: posterior part which encloses the vertebral foramen
The vertebral arch consists of
Pedicles (pair): project from body
Laminae (pair): unite to form arch posteriorly
Seven processes: attached to the vertebral arch:
Four articular processes: (two superior and two inferior)
Two transverse processes
One spine (spinous process)
• Spinal nerves leave vertebral canal via intervertebral foramina---between
vertebrae
Cervical Vertebrae
Structure of vertebrae varies from region to region
• Features of typical cervical vertebrae:
