Which vertebral body has the largest size?
Although vertebrae range in size; cervical the smallest, lumbar the largest, vertebral bodies are the weight bearing structures of the spinal column.
Upper body weight is distributed through the spine to the sacrum and pelvis.
Which thoracic vertebrae is the largest?
The T1 vertebra is the first (uppermost) of the twelve (12) thoracic vertebrae that make up the central and largest section of the spinal column between the lumbar vertebrae below and the cervical vertebrae above. While larger than the C7 vertebra above it, the T1 is the smallest of the thoracic vertebrae.
What are the 3 types of vertebrae and how are they different?
The lower five vertebrae, between the ribs and the sacrum. Each of the three segments of the spine has a curve. The cervical spine and the lumbar curve both are convex anteriorly, while the thoracic spine curves the opposite way, convex posteriorly.
Which regions of the vertebral column do not consist of individual vertebrae?
Vertebrae are the 33 individual bones that interlock with each other to form the spinal column. The vertebrae are numbered and divided into regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx (Fig. 2).
Why do vertebral bodies increase in size?
The body is the anterior portion of each vertebra and is the part that supports the body weight. Because of this, the vertebral bodies progressively increase in size and thickness going down the vertebral column. The bodies of adjacent vertebrae are separated and strongly united by an intervertebral disc.
Does the axis have a body?
The dens in the axis is larger than any other vertebral bone. Another special characteristic of the axis and all other cervical vertebrae is the absence of a body, or large flat portion of the bone. The atlas and axis are the two most commonly injured cervical vertebrae bones.
Is thoracic back pain serious?
Common Causes of Thoracic Spine Pain. Upper back pain is typically due to one of the following: Muscular problems. The cause may be poor posture (such as forward head posture) or any type of irritation of the large back and shoulder muscles, including muscle strain or spasms.
Why are the lumbar vertebrae the largest and strongest?
As the last of the lumbar vertebrae, the L5 vertebra bears more body weight than any of the other 23 vertebrae that sit atop it in the vertebral column. Thus the L5 is the largest and strongest lumbar vertebra, but is also the most susceptible to stress-related injuries.
What is unique about thoracic vertebrae?
The thoracic vertebrae are a group of twelve small bones that form the vertebral spine in the upper trunk. Thoracic vertebrae are unique among the bones of the spine in that they are the only vertebrae that support ribs and have overlapping spinous processes.
What are the 5 groups of vertebrae?
From top to bottom, the vertebrae are:
- Cervical spine: 7 vertebrae (C1–C7)
- Thoracic spine: 12 vertebrae (T1–T12)
- Lumbar spine: 5 vertebrae (L1–L5)
- Sacrum: 5 (fused) vertebrae (S1–S5)
- Coccyx: 4 (3–5) (fused) vertebrae (Tailbone)
What are the five kinds of vertebrae in the human body?
Humans have 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 fused sacral, and 3 to 5 fused caudal vertebrae (together called the coccyx).
How many types of spine are there?
Spinal X-rays are also done to check the curve of your spine (scoliosis) or for spinal defects. The spine is divided into four parts. So there are four common types of spinal X-rays: Cervical spine X-ray.
Which areas of the spine has 5 vertebrae?
These regions from top to bottom are:
- Cervical – Shown in red, this region supports the head. It is made up of 7 vertebrae.
- Thoracic – Shown in blue, this region supports the ribs.
- Lumbar – Shown in yellow, this region is located in the lower back.
- Sacral – Shown in green.
- Coccygeal – Shown in purple.
Do vertebrae fuse on their own?
Doctor’s Response: Discs can fuse without surgery, but scoliosis may also appear like fusion in an x-ray. Discs can fuse on their own. Scoliosis causes the vertebral bodies to overlap making assessment of the disc space difficult.
What are the 26 vertebrae?
The spine, also known as the vertebral column or spinal column, is a column of 26 bones in an adult body — 24 separate vertebrae interspaced with cartilage, and then additionally the sacrum and coccyx.
How many fused vertebral bodies are there?
The vertebral column consists of: seven cervical vertebrae, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, the sacrum consisting of five fused vertebrae and the coccyx formed by the fusion of four or more rudimentary vertebrae (Fig.
How many vertebrae have large vertebral bodies?
The lower four thoracic vertebrae contain more lumbar features, like large bodies, robust transverse and spinous processes, and lateral projecting articular facets. The middle four thoracic vertebrae have characteristics between these two regions.
Why are lumbar vertebrae larger in size?
The Lumbar Spine has 5 vertebrae abbreviated L1 through L5 (largest). The size and shape of each lumbar vertebra is designed to carry most of the body’s weight. Each structural element of a lumbar vertebra is bigger, wider and broader than similar components in the cervical and thoracic regions.
What vertebra does not have a body?
The atlas vertebra has no vertebral body, lacks a spinous process, and has no articular disks superior or inferior to it. On the posterior surface of the anterior bony rim of this vertebra (the anterior edge of the vertebral foramen) there is an oval articulation for the dens (see later) of the axis.
What is the Atlantodental joint?
The atlantoaxial joint is a joint in the upper part of the neck between the first and second cervical vertebrae; the atlas and axis. It is a pivot joint. The atlantoaxial joint is of a complicated nature. It consists of no fewer than four distinct joints.
Does c2 have a body?
Cervical spine. Note uniquely shaped atlas and axis (C1 and C2). The atlas is ring-shaped and does not have a body, unlike the rest of the vertebrae. Fused remnants of the atlas body have become part of C2, where they are called the odontoid process, or dens.
What is the most unique feature of the thoracic vertebrae?
T5-T8 tend to be the most “typical” in that they contain features present in all thoracic vertebrae. The primary characteristic of thoracic vertebrae is the presence of costal facets. There are six facets per thoracic vertebrae: two on the transverse processes and four demifacets.
What is unique about the sacral vertebrae?
The sacrum is a large wedge shaped vertebra at the inferior end of the spine. It forms the solid base of the spinal column where it intersects with the hip bones to form the pelvis. The sacrum is a very strong bone that supports the weight of the upper body as it is spread across the pelvis and into the legs.
What are the symptoms of thoracic spine nerve damage?
The symptoms of a herniated disc in the thoracic area usually include:
- Pain that travels around the body and into one or both legs.
- Numbness or tingling in areas of one or both legs.
- Muscle weakness in certain muscles of one or both legs.
- Increased reflexes in one or both legs that can cause spasticity in the legs.
What are the 3 types of scoliosis?
AANS suggests there are three categories into which the different forms of scoliosis fit: idiopathic, congenital, and neuromuscular. Most types of scoliosis are idiopathic, which means that the cause is unknown or that there is no single factor that contributes to the development of the disease.
What are the two basic types of injuries?
There are basically two types of injuries: acute injuries and overuse injuries. Acute injuries are usually the result of a single, traumatic event. Common examples include wrist fractures, ankle sprains, shoulder dislocations, and hamstring muscle strain.
What does scoliosis pain feel like?
But scoliosis can cause pain for other reasons. The curvature of the spine can stretch, irritate, or squish nerves. It can also strain joints, causing them to become worn or inflamed. Scoliosis also affects your posture, which leads to muscles tightening or becoming tired, causing pain.
Photo in the article by “Whizzers’s Place” http://thewhizzer.blogspot.com/2006/10/