What are the three main functions of the axial skeleton?
Supports and protects organs, attaches muscles of the head, neck, and trunk, performs respiratory movements, and stabilizes the appendicular skeleton
What is unique about the cervical vertebrae?
Small body, large vertebral foramen, bifid spinous process, transverse processes contain transverse foramina
Which muscle is the prime mover in neck flexion
Sternocleidomastoid
what three bones make up the thoracic cage?
thoracic vertebrae, ribs, sternum
Name the five regions of the vertebral column from superior to inferior
Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, coccyx
Which vertebrae have costal facets? What are they for
Thoracic vertebrae; for rib attachment
What are the three muscles of the Erector Spinae group and describe their general location and function
The Erector Spinae group consists of the Spinalis (most medial), Longissimus(middle), and Iliocostalis (most lateral). They run along the vertebral column and are prime movers of back extension and lateral flexion
What is the difference between true ribs, false ribs, and floating ribs?
True ribs (1-7) connect directly to the sternum. False ribs (8-10) connect indirectly via a common costal cartilage. Floating ribs (11-12) don't connect to the sternum
What is the difference between a primary and secondary spinal curve? Which curves fall into each category?
Primary curves develop before birth and include the thoracic and sacral curves, which are kyphotic (convex posteriorly). Secondary curves develop after birth and include the cervical and lumbar curves, which are lordotic (concave posteriorly
Describe the direction of articular facets for the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae
thoracic- are vertical face anterior and posterior
Lumbar-are vertical face medially and laterally
What are the actions of the scalene muscles
The scalene muscles elevate the ribs during forced inhalation or can flex the neck.
Which ribs are considered "vertebrochondral ribs" and why?
Ribs 8-10 are called vertebrochondral ribs. They are considered false ribs because they don't connect directly to the sternum. Instead, their costal cartilages attach to the cartilage of the rib above them, forming an indirect connection with the sternum
The vertebral column is composed of more than just vertebrae. What other bones are part of it and how many of each are there
The vertebral column contains 24 vertebrae along with 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar the sacrum and coccyx. There is 1 sacrum and 1 coccyx
Describe the unique features of the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae and how they allow for different head movements.
The atlas (C1) lacks a body and articulates with the occipital condyles of the skull, allowing for the "yes" nodding motion. The axis (C2) has a superior projection called the dens(odontoid process) that articulates with the atlas, allowing for the "no" head rotation
What is the OIA of longus captious
o- transverse proccesses of cervical vertebrae
I- base of occipital bone
A- one-- lateral flexion to ne side , rotation to same side both- neck flexion
Compare and contrast the features of lumbar and thoracic vertebrae
Thoracic vertebrae have heart-shaped bodies, round vertebral foramina, long and slender spinous processes, and costal facets for rib articulation. Lumbar vertebrae have larger, oval-shaped bodies, triangular vertebral foramina, and shorter, blunt spinous processes