Health Sciences 2300A/B Lecture Notes - Intervertebral Foramina, Cervical Vertebrae, Vertebra
12 Mar 2014
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Document Summary
Composed of: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 4-5 fused sacral, and 4 fused. Cervical: neck, thoracic: rib cage, lumbar: lower back, sacral: attached to pelvis, Curvatures: spinal chord has 4 curvatures allowing for flexibility, but compromising stability. Intervertebral disks: fibrous cartilage disks that add stability. 1) cervical curvature: concave (cave like), secondary curvature (takes place after birth) 2) thoracic curvature: convex (back of a spoon), primary curvature (present at birth) 3) lumbar curvature: concave, secondary curvature (takes place after birth), forms after child walks. 4) sacral curvature: convex, primary curvature (present at birth) In girls, their stomachs often stick out due to the lumbar curvature not forming completely. Kyphosis: exaggerated curve in the upper thoracic region (hunchback), occurs after birth. Lordosis: exaggerated curve of the lumbar region due to the improper formation of muscles. Scoleosis: misalignment of vertebrae in the sagital plane (prominent in the lumbar region) Body: structure found anteriorally that provides support.
