Vertebral Column Anatomy: Bones, Regions, Curvatures (Kyphotic, Lordotic)

Summary

In this comprehensive anatomy lesson, Ben, a registered nurse, explains the structure and function of the vertebral column (spine). He covers the five regions of the spine—cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx—along with their respective vertebrae and the role of intervertebral discs. Ben also describes the spine's curves, including primary kyphotic curves and secondary lordotic curves, highlighting their importance for movement and stability. This lesson offers valuable insights for anyone studying anatomy, especially for exams, and concludes with an invitation to test knowledge through a quiz and explore additional resources on the channel.

Takeaways

• 😀 The vertebral column, also called the spine or backbone, houses the spinal cord, supports the head, distributes weight to the lower limbs, and facilitates movement and stability.
• 😀 The vertebral column is part of the axial skeleton and consists of 33 bones in youth, which later fuse to form two larger bones, the sacrum and coccyx, in adulthood.
• 😀 A typical vertebral column in adults consists of 26 bones, divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx.
• 😀 The cervical region consists of 7 cervical vertebrae (C1–C7) and forms the neck. It is easy to remember because 'cervical' and 'seven' start with the same sound.
• 😀 The thoracic region has 12 vertebrae (T1–T12) that articulate with the 12 pairs of ribs, making it easy to remember as both '12' and 'thoracic' start with 'T'.
• 😀 The lumbar region has 5 lumbar vertebrae (L1–L5) and is the part of the spine that supports the upper body's weight.
• 😀 The sacrum is made of 5 fused sacral vertebrae (S1–S5) and connects the spine to the hip bones, forming part of the pelvis.
• 😀 The coccyx, also known as the tailbone, consists of 3 to 5 fused coccygeal vertebrae and marks the terminal end of the spine.
• 😀 The intervertebral discs, 23 in total, separate and cushion the vertebrae. These discs consist of a gel-like center (nucleus pulposus) and fibrous outer rings (annulus fibrosus).
• 😀 The vertebral column has four curvatures: two primary (thoracic and sacral) that are present from birth, and two secondary (cervical and lumbar) that develop after birth, giving the spine its S-shaped curve.

Q & A

What is the vertebral column also known as?

The vertebral column is also known as the spine, spinal column, or backbone.

What are the primary functions of the vertebral column?

The vertebral column houses the spinal cord, distributes weight to the lower limbs, supports the head, allows for the attachment of muscles and ligaments, and facilitates movement and stability.

How many individual bones make up the vertebral column in youth?

In youth, the vertebral column consists of 33 individual bones.

What happens to the bones at the terminal end of the spine in adulthood?

The bones at the terminal end of the spine fuse to form the sacrum and coccyx in adulthood.

How many bones does the typical vertebral column consist of in adulthood?

In adulthood, the typical vertebral column consists of 26 bones.

What are the five regions of the vertebral column?

The five regions of the vertebral column are: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal.

How can you remember the number of cervical vertebrae?

You can remember that there are seven cervical vertebrae because 'cervical' and 'seven' start with the same sound.

What is the significance of the thoracic vertebrae?

The twelve thoracic vertebrae articulate with the twelve pairs of ribs, forming part of the thoracic cage.

What are intervertebral discs, and what do they consist of?

Intervertebral discs are shock-absorbing structures between vertebrae. They consist of two main parts: the nucleus pulposus (a gel-like center) and the annulus fibrosus (a fibrous outer layer).

What is the difference between primary and secondary spinal curvatures?

Primary curvatures (thoracic and sacral) are present during fetal development and curve outward, while secondary curvatures (cervical and lumbar) form after birth and curve inward.