All parts of the

Vertebra (-ae pl)

From left to right:

Tranverse/lateral, Superior articular, Spinous 

(Process)

"projection"

Body:

main support structure of the vetebra

Lamina, (-ae pl):

arched sturcture supporting spinous process; dorsal to body 

Foramen (-mina pl) :

"hole"

"Vertebral foramen" or "Spinal Canal" is where spinal cords passes through vertebrae

5 things about Cervical Vertebrae:

(1) neck Vertebrae

(2) 7 in cows, humans, and giraffes

(3) smallest of all three with very reduced processes

(4) two extra foramina in lateral processes for nerve and blood vessel passage

(5) C1 and C2 specialized for cranium support

5 things about C1:

- supports cranium

- broad, flat top fits against skull base

- looks like cupped hands and elbows (lateral processes) of Atlas

- “he keeps his head” down (no dens)

- looks like a bow tie or pelvis in cow

2 things about C2:

- allows for rotation of head

- dens (“tooth"), pivot for movement

Name: Thoracic Vertabra

4 things about the Thoracic Vertabra

Lumbar Vertebre:

(1) 5 in the lower back (6 in the cow)

(2) Develeped transverse processes for muscle attachment( side-to-side movement)

(3) Largest and most complex vertebre in the human

(4) bears the most weight, so needs most SA for muscle attachment

Sacrum:

(1) 5 fused vertebra

(2) articulates with pelvis to form pelvic girl

(3) “sacral” vertebrae

Coccyx:

  (1) 3 fused vertebra

  (2) the thing people usually break when they slip on ice

(3) “coccygeal” vertebrae

(4) remnant of vestigial tail

Cervical Vertebrae (7)

Thoracic Vertebrae(12)

Lumbar Vertebrae(5)

Sacrum(5 fused)

Coccyx(3 fused)

Caudal Vertebrae: