Examine the skeleton and the different types of vertebrae to answer these questi

Question

Examine the skeleton and the different types of vertebrae to answer these questions. in the photos below. circle the structures that differentiate cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae on the photo of each vertebra. Then describe the feature(s) in the numbered space(s) below each figure. Identify the region of the vertebral column where the intervertebral foramina (or their equivalent) project anteriorly and posteriorly to allow for the exit of spinal nerves. (Circle one.) cervical coccygeal lumbar thoracic sacral

Explanation / Answer

Answer:

a. The structures that differentiate cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae are: (Each distinguishing feature have been discussed for all the three vertebrae)

i. Spinous process: (Its a bony projection off the posterior of each vertebra.)

It is the tappered, elongated structure.

It is small in cervical, intermediate in thoracic and bigger in lumbar vertebrae.

ii. Body: (Vertebral body is the thick oval segment of bone forming the front of the vertebra also called the centrum)

It is the flattened disc like structure in the cervical vertebrae. In thoracic and lumbar, it is not very prominent as it shows the side way view. It is small in cervical, intermediate in thoracic and bigger in lumbar vertebrae.

iii. Sup-articular process: (These are are projections of the vertebra that serve the purpose of fitting with an adjacent vertebra)

It is flattened groove like structure next to the transverse foramen (the holes) in the cervical vertebrae. In thoracic and lumbar, it is not very prominent as it shows the side way view. In thoracic, it is reduced while it is elongated (vertically towards the bottom) in lumbar.

b. (e) Sacral

The sacral foramina are situated in the anterior posterior axis rather than the transverse axis in case of all other vertebrae.

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