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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 |