Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Vertebra
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Anterior arch | narrow band of bone that extends anteriorly from the transverse processes |
| Anterior tubercle | slight elevation at the apex of the anterior arch |
| Transverse process | prominent lateral projection |
| Transverse foramen | hole in the transverse process; serves as a passageway for the vertebral artery |
| Superior articular facet | depressed smooth surface for articulation with the occipital condyle of the skull |
| Inferior articular facet | smooth surfaces for articulation with the superior articular facets on the axis vertebra below |
| Posterior tubercle | slight elevation at the apex of the posterior arch |
| Vertebral foramen | large opening in the center of the bone; passageway for the spinal cord |
| Body | cylindrical mass on anterior side of the vertebra; articulates with body of vertebra below |
| Odontoid process | prominent rounded superior projection from the body; serves a stable point around which the atlas rotates |
| vertebral arch | bony archway that encloses the posterior vertebral foramen and protects the spinal cord |
| Lamina | posterior plate that forms the roof the vertebral arch |
| Spinous process | narrow posterior projection from the junction of the two laminae; attachment point for muscles and ligaments |
| Inferior articular process | down ward projection from vertebral arch with articulating facet on inferior surface; articulates with facet on superior articular process on the vertebra below |
| Pedicle | posterior extension from the body; forms the base of the vertebra arch |
| Transverse costal facet | smooth surfaces on the lateral aspects of the transverse processes; areas of articulation with the tubercles of the ribs |
| Superior vertebral notch | slight indentations on the inferior surface of the pedicles |
| Inferior vertebral notch | large indentations on the inferior surface of the pedicles |
| Intervertebral foramen | large foramen formed by the inferior vertebral notch of the vertebra above and the pedicle of the vertebra below; forms a passageway for a spinal nerve |
| Intervertevral disk | a pad of cartilage located between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae; functions like a shock absorber |
| Superior costal demifacet | small depression on the superior lateral surface of the body; area of articulation with the head of the rib |
| Inferior costal demifacet | small depression on the inferior lateral surface of the body; area of articulation with the head of the rib |
| Sacral canal | a channel that runs through the interior of the sacrum; forms a passageway for the spinal cord |
| Alae | broad wing like expansions that extend from both sides of the superior surface of the bone; formed by the fusion of the transverse processes of the upper sacral vertebrae |
| Sacral promontory | prominent anterior projection from the body of the first sacral vertebra; serves as a distinctive landmark for making measurements of the pelvis |
| Sacral tuberosity | broad, roughened surface located along the upper edges of the posterior aspect of the bone; serves as an area of attachment for the ligaments that hold the sacrum to the ilium at the sacroiliac joint |
| Transverse lines | four horizontal ridges located along the middle of the anterior surface of the bone; formed by the fusion of the bodies of the sacral vertebrae |
| Anterior sacral foramina | two rows of 4 openings located lateral to the fused sacral bodies; holes through which spinal nerves exit |
| Posterior sacral foramina | two rows of 4 openings located lateral to the fused sacral bodies; holes through which spinal nerves exit |
| Median sacral crest | a small ridge composed of the fused spinous processes of the sacral vertebrae |
| Lateral sacral crest | lateral most ridge of tubercles; composed of fused transverse processes |
| Sacral hiatus | a triangular gap in the bone located at the inferior tip of the median sacral crest; forms an inferior opening through which the inferior spinal nerves exits |
| Coccyx | 4 or 5 fused vertebrae; last set of vertebrae bones |
| Coccygeal cornua | two knob like, upward extensions; serve as attachment points for ligaments that hold the coccyx to the sacrum |
| Posterior arch | narrow band of bone that extends posteriorly from the transverse processes |
Created by:
kieren1