| A | B |
|---|
| Cervical vertebrae | C1 to C7, of the neck |
| Thoracic vertebrae | T1 to T12, each of these vertebrae articulates with one or more pair of ribs |
| Lumbar vertebrae | L1 to L5 |
| Sacrum | single bone formed from the fusion of 5 embryonic vertebrae |
| Coccyx | small bone that articulates with the inferior portion of the sacrum |
| Thoracic and Sacral spinal curves | Primary spinal curves that appear during fetal development |
| Cervical spinal curve | secondary spinal curve that appears as an infant learns to balance the head upright |
| Lumbar spinal curve | secondary spinal curve that develops with the ability to stand |
| Kyphosis | exaggerated thoracic curvature |
| Lordosis | exaggerated lumbar curvature |
| Scoliosis | abnormal lateral curvature |
| Vertebral body | more massive, weight bearing portion of vertebra, separated from each other by an intervertebral disc (fibrocartilage) |
| Vertebral arch | forms the posterior margin of each vertebral foramen |
| vertebral foramen | hole in vertebra where spinal cord passes |
| laminae | walls of the vertebral arch |
| Transverse processes | project laterally and dorsolaterally from pedicles, serve as a site for muscle attachment |
| Spinous processes | projects posteriorally, where the laminae fuse |
| Intervertebral foramina | gaps between the pedicles of successive vertebrae permit passage of nerves to and from spinal cord |
| Atlas | C1 vertebra holds up head, articulates with occipital condyles of skull permitting you to nod your head yes |
| Transverse foramina | found in transverse processes, protects blood vessels supplying the brain |
| Axis | C2 vertebra forms a pivot joint with atlas through a projection on the axis called the dens or odontoid process, allows you to turn your head to the side |
| Costal facets | on the body and transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae for articulating with head of ribs |
| Sternum | consists of manubrium, body, xiphoid process |
| True ribs | seven pairs of these ribs |
| False ribs | five paris of these ribs |
| Floating ribs | false ribs that are not attached to the sternum with any cartilage |
