Vertebral Column

-it also called spine; it is serving as the body's axial support.

-It runs from the base of the head to the pelvis, where it transfers the body's weight to
the lower limbs. The spinal column is sometimes portrayed as a solid supporting rod,
although this image is erroneous. Instead, the spine is made up of 26 uneven bones
that are linked and supported by ligaments to produce a flexible, curved skeleton.

Vertebrae
-The spine is made up of 33 bones before birth called vertebrae, nine of these will
eventually fuse together to form the two composite bones.

The Sacrum and the Coccyx

-it makes up the lower part of the spinal column
Sacrum
-forms the pelvis by strengthening and stabilizing the posterior pelvic wall
Coccyx
-it offers some support for the pelvic organs; it is a bone that is rarely used.

Cervical Vertebrae
-these are found in the neck and there are 7 vertebrae in it.
-neck area of the spine is made up of cervical vertebrae.

Thoracic Vertebrae
-these are found attached in the ribs, it helps to protect the heart and lungs by holding
the rib cage in place.
-there are 12 irregular bones in the thoracic vertebrae
-The thoracic area has a lot of flexibility thanks to thin discs between the vertebrae.
-Flexibility is hampered by thick discs between the lumbar vertebrae.
- They exceed the cervical vertebrae in size.
The terms Convex and Concave
-refers to the curvature of the vertebral column's posterior side.
Lumbar vertebrae
-The lower back is supported by the remaining five irregular bones.
-It attaches to the pelvis and bears the majority of your body's weight as well as the
strain of lifting and carrying goods.

Individual Vertebrae
-are separated by intervertebral discs, which are flexible fibrocartilage cushions that
cushion the vertebrae and absorb shocks while allowing the spine to move.

Herniated (“slipped”) Discs

-it is when a piece of the nucleus pushes through a break in the annulus, this happens.

The discs and the S-shaped structure

-it is when we walk or run, the spinal column works together to prevent head shock.
They also make the trunk of the body flexible.

Primary curvatures
-this refers to the curvatures of the spine in the thoracic and sacral regions.

Abnormal spinal curvatures

-examples of these are kyphosis, scoliosis and lordosis

Secondary curvatures
-Secondary curvatures in the cervical and lumbar regions occur after birth and are
referred to as secondary curvatures.

The common features of vertebrae

include the following:
  Body or centrum- In the vertebral column, the weight-bearing component of the
vertebra faces anteriorly.
 Vertebral arch- The vertebral body's posterior extensions, the laminae and
pedicles, are joined to form an arch.
 Vertebral foramen- The spinal cord goes through this canal.
 Transverse processes- the vertebral arch has two lateral projections.
 Spinous process- it is a single projection emerging from the vertebral arch's
posterior side (actually the fused laminae).
 Superior and inferior articular processes- it is a pair of projections on either
side of the vertebral foramen that allow a vertebra to establish joints with
neighboring vertebrae.

The 1st two vertebrae are the atlas and axis

-They're distinct because they execute jobs that the other cervical vertebrae don't.

Atlas
-it has no physical form. Large depressions on the superior surfaces of its transverse
processes receive the occipital condyles of the skull. This joint allows you to nod “yes.”
-
Axis
-it acts as a pivot for the atlas (and skull) above to rotate. The dens, a large upright
process that serves as a pivot point joint between C1 and C2, helps you to rotate your
head from side to side to say "no."