Anatomy and Cell Biology 3319 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Spinal Nerve, Coccyx, Sacrum
13 Dec 2016
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Identify the individual characteristics of a typical thoracic vertebrae and a typical cervical vertebra. Describe the curvatures of the vertebral column during ontogeny. Contrast a lumbar vertebra to a thoracic vertebra. Identify the specific characteristics of atlas and axis. Primary curvatures (of the fetus): thoracic and sacral convex. Secondary curvatures (develops during infancy): cervical and lumbar . Note how the lumbar region is much larger, due to the need to support weight from the body. Abnormal curvatures can also result from congenital diseases. Kyphosis: increased thoracic convex curvature usually resulting from osteoporosis (vertebrae starts to collapse); hump back. Lordosis: increased lumbar curvature due to weakened abdominal muscles often temporarily associated with pregnancy (called temporary lordosis) or obesity (trying to balance weight, accompanied by weak abdominal muscles) Tendon and ligaments are made of the same fibrous material: ligament goes from bone to bone, tendon goes from muscle to bone, vertebral columns are stacked on top of each other.
