| N.B. | In each dissection some names appear in parentheses. These are structures that may not readily be found during your dissection, i.e., look for them but do not spend too much time on them so that you have time to comlete the laboratory. Many of these structures will be exposed more completely in future dissections or are best observed in your atlas. Also, there will be important structures listed that are not found in your dissector (Hansen, 1998); information about these items can be found in your text (Jenkins, 1998; Moor and Augur, 1996; Stern, 1997). |
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| Find the following structures using your atlas, dissector (Hansen pp. 63-64) and text (Jenkins pp. 199 - 214; Moore and Agur pp. 190-203; pp. Stern 2-5) as a guide. | |
| N.B. | You will be responsible for distinguishing between a cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebra: You will also be responsible for identifying [under isolated conditions] the following vertebra: C1, C2, T12. You must also be able to side a rib and distinguish R1 from all other ribs (R2-12). |
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| This linked figure illustrates the homologies of the vertebral elements and may help you to understand variation in vertebral morphology. Also, see Dr. George's table for distinguishing the vertebral types. | |
| An online review of vertebral column (actually back) anatomy can be found at the University of Newcastle . While the osteology and arthrology sections of this tutorial are good, the sections on sections on myology and neurology are incomplete. The applied anatomy section illustrates clinical applications (prolapsed intervertebral discs, lumbar puncture, epidural anesthesia), some with movies (mpg format). | |
| Click here to read a recent (8/11/00) Miami Herald article on kyphoplasty, a new surgical technique to relieve vertebral compression fractures. |
Articulated Vertebral Column
7 Cervical Vertebrae
12 Thoracic Vertebrae
5 Lumbar Vertebrae
Sacrum ( = 5 fused sacral vertebrae)
1 Coccyx ( = 1-4 fused coccygeal vertebrae)
Cervical Curve (secondary)
Thoracic Curve (primary)
Lumbar Curve (secondary)
Sacrococcygeal Curve (primary)
Sacroiliac Articular Facet = auricular surface
Intervertebral Disks
Intervertebral Foramina
Vertebral Canal
Typical Thoracic And Lumbar Vertebrae
Body (centrum)
Vertebral (neural) Arch
Lamina
Pedicle
Spinous Process
Transverse Process
Sup. and Inf. Articular Processes and Facets
Sup. and Inf. Costal Facets [Thoracic only]
Transverse Costal Facet [Thoracic only]
Vertebral Foramen
Intervertebral Notch
Typical Cervical Vertebra
Body
Lamina
Pedicle
Spinous Process (bifid)
Transverse Process
Anterior Tubercle (costal element)
Posterior Tubercle (transverse element)
Costotransverse Bar
Transverse Foramen
Vertebral Foramen
Sup. and Inf. Articular Processes and Facets
Atlas (C1)
Anterior Arch
Tubercle
Facet of Odontoid Process (Dens)
Posterior Arch and Tubercle
Transverse Process
Sup. and Inf. Articular Processes and Facets
Axis (C2)
Odontoid Process (Dens)
Sup. and Inf. Articular Processes and Facets
Transverse Process
Lamina
Spinous Process
Sacrum
Lumbosacral Articular Surface
Auricular Surface (Sacroiliac facet)
Promontory
Ala (wing)
Sacral Part of Pelvic Brim
Anterior Sacral Foramina
Transverse Ridges (4)
Sup. Articular Processes and Facets
Lateral Sacral Crest
Median Sacral Crest (with spinous processes)
Posterior Sacral Foramina
Sacral Canal
Sacral Hiatus
Sacral Cornua
Thorax
Sternum
Manubrium (clavicular, costal and suprasternal notches)
Sternal Angle
Body
xiphisternal junction
Xiphoid Process
Rib Cage
True Ribs (vertebro-sternal)
False Ribs (vertebro-chondral)
Floating Ribs ("vertebro-muscular")
Costal Cartiliages
Costochondral Joint
Interchondral Joint
Sternochondral Joint
Thoracic Inlet (superior thoracic aperture)
Thoracic Outlet (inferior thoracic aperture)
Typical Rib
Head
Neck
Tubercle
Angle
Shaft (Body)
Costal Groove
Articular Facets
Dissection notes
landmarks/regions (triangle of auscultation) (lumbar triangle) vertebra prominens (C7) (external occipital protuberance) (mastoid processes) osteology scapula spine acromion superior angle inferior angle vertebral border myology trapezius latissimus dorsi thoracolumbar fascia levator scapulae rhomboideus major rhomboideus minor neurology accessory n (CN XI) (dorsal scapular n)
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