Curves of Vertebral column
This type of spinal curve is concave.
What is a lordotic curve?
This region contains 7 vertebrae.
What is the cervical region?
The anterior weight-bearing part of a vertebra.
What is the vertebral body?
Cervical vertebrae contain these openings for the vertebral artery and vein.
What are transverse foramina?
Flexion and extension occur in this plane.
What is the sagittal plane?
This type of spinal curve is convex.
What is a kyphotic curve?
This region contains 12 vertebrae and articulates with the ribs.
What is the thoracic region?
This opening forms the vertebral canal when vertebrae are stacked.
What is the vertebral foramen?
The joint between the skull and C1 that allows nodding.
What is the atlanto-occipital joint?
Rotation occurs in this plane.
What is the transverse plane?
Babies are born mainly with this type of spinal curve.
What is a primary kyphotic curve?
This region contains 5 vertebrae with large kidney-shaped bodies.
What is the lumbar region?
These project laterally from the vertebral arch.
What are the transverse processes?
The bony projection from C2 that allows rotation.
What is the odontoid process/dens?
Lateral flexion occurs in this plane.
What is the frontal/coronal plane?
These two spinal regions develop secondary lordotic curves.
What are the cervical and lumbar regions?
This region contains 5 fused vertebrae and connects to the pelvis.
What is the sacrum?
This projects posteriorly from the midline and can be felt along the back.
What is the spinous process?
Thoracic vertebrae have these for rib articulation.
What are costal facets?
Flexion and extension occur around this axis.
What is the mediolateral axis?
In adulthood, the thoracic and sacral regions have this type of curve.
What are primary kyphotic curves?
This region contains 3–5 vertebrae and is a remnant of a tail.
What is the coccygeal region?
These structures form facet joints with the vertebra above or below.
Lumbar vertebrae have large bodies because they perform this function.
What is weight-bearing?
Rotation occurs around this axis.
What is the longitudinal/vertical axis?