GUIDE
Back and Spinal Cord: Bones and Ligaments
Vertebral Column
[Plate 150, Vertebral Column]approximately 72 to 75 cm long (25% of length because of intervertebral discs)
33 vertebrae (can vary 32-34)
7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 4 (3-5) coccygeal
Typically have: body; vertebral arch (2 laminae, 2 pedicles) and foramen; spinous (1) and transverse (2) processes; articular
processes (4)
Fibrocartilaginous intervertebral discs
Allow movement between vertebral bodies (in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions)
Curvature (may be primary or secondary-see below)
Cervical anterior convexity (2°)
Thoracic anterior concavity (1°)
Lumbar anterior convexity (2°)
Sacral anterior concavity (1°)Vertebrae