Copy of 09.16.20 (Sync and Async) - Vertebral Column and Thorax Bones (5/28/2026)

Last updated about 3 hours ago

15 questions

1

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Copy of 09.16.20 (Sync and Async) - Vertebral Column and Thorax Bones (5/28/2026)

Last updated about 3 hours ago

15 questions

Vertebral Column and Thorax
Objective: to identify the bones, processes, fossa, sutures, and other landmarks found in the human vertebral column and thorax

Part 1: The Vertebral Column
For Part 1 (questions 1-8), use the video below and the textbook to label and color diagrams and answer a set of questions.

1

The Vertebral Column

Use the video to color the diagram below using the key provided. Then label the diagram with the following structures:
cervical curvature
intervertebral disk
atlas
axis
coccyx
thoracic curvature
sacrum
lumbar curvature

1

The Vertebrae

The illustrations below are of individual vertebrae. Two of the illustrations, A and B, are of the first two cervical vertebrae. Illustrations C and D are of typical lumbar and cervical vertebrae, respectively.
Identify and label the following structures. Some may be used on more than one illustration:
vertebral foramen (also known as the spinal foramen)
spinous process
body
pedicle
superior articular facet
dens
transverse foramen
transverse process

1

The Sacrum

The sacrum represents a unique feature of the vertebral column in that it is composed of fused vertebrae. Label the following structures on the illustration below:
coccyx
superior articulating surface
sacral canal
sacral hiatus
sacral foramina
sacral crest

1

Compare and contrast the atlas and the axis

1

Draggable item		Corresponding Item

Part 2: The Thorax
For part 2 (questions 9-??), use the video below to and the textbook to label and color the diagrams and answer a set of questions.

1

Thoracic Cage

Use the video to color the diagram below using the key provided. Then label the diagram with the following structures:
xiphoid
body
manubrium
floating ribs
vertebrochondral ribs

1

What is the cartilage connecting ribs to the sternum called, and why is it important?

1

Why are ribs 11-12 called floating ribs?

Part 3: Extension
Apply your understanding of the vertebral column and thorax to answer questions 14-15

1

Exmine the spine in the MRI below of a patient's lumbar vertebrae:

What do you think is wrong with this patient's spine (in general - not the exact name!), and what symptoms might they experience?

1

Vertebral Column and Thorax
Objective: to identify the bones, processes, fossa, sutures, and other landmarks found in the human vertebral column and thorax

Part 1: The Vertebral Column
For Part 1 (questions 1-8), use the video below and the textbook to label and color diagrams and answer a set of questions.

The Vertebral Column

Use the video to color the diagram below using the key provided. Then label the diagram with the following structures:
cervical curvature
intervertebral disk
atlas
axis
coccyx
thoracic curvature
sacrum
lumbar curvature

The Vertebrae

The illustrations below are of individual vertebrae. Two of the illustrations, A and B, are of the first two cervical vertebrae. Illustrations C and D are of typical lumbar and cervical vertebrae, respectively.
Identify and label the following structures. Some may be used on more than one illustration:
vertebral foramen (also known as the spinal foramen)
spinous process
body
pedicle
superior articular facet
dens
transverse foramen
transverse process

The Sacrum

The sacrum represents a unique feature of the vertebral column in that it is composed of fused vertebrae. Label the following structures on the illustration below:
coccyx
superior articulating surface
sacral canal
sacral hiatus
sacral foramina
sacral crest

Compare and contrast the atlas and the axis

How and why might the bodies and spinal foramens of vertebrae change size as we move down the vertebral column (excluding the sacram and coccyx)?

The spinal foramen increase in size from top to bottom because the spinal cord gets larger.  The bodies decrease in size from top to bottom because the bottom vertebrae bear less weight. 

The spinal foramen increase in size from top to bottom because the spinal cord gets smaller.  The bodies decrease in size from top to bottom because the bottom vertebrae bear more weight.

The spinal foramen decrease in size from top to bottom because the spinal cord gets smaller.  The bodies increase in size from top to bottom because the bottom vertebrae bear more weight.

The spinal foramen decrease in size from top to bottom because the spinal cord gets larger.  The bodies increase in size from top to bottom because the bottom vertebrae bear less weight.

Categorize the number of vertebrae in each vertebral region, as well as characteristics of the vertebrae found in this region.

have the largest body of all vertebrae
4 fused vertebrae
first two vertebrae have special names: the atlas and the axis
help to form pelvic girdle (along with hip bones)
have large transverse processes to allow for the attachment of ribs
12 separate vertebrae
attach to muscles of the pelvic floor
5 fused vertebrae
have a large spinal foramen and small spinous process
7 separate vertebrae
5 separate vertebrae

Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar
Sacral
Coccyx

Which regions of the vertebral column are normally arranged wth an anteriorly concave curve?

Match the following terms with their descriptions

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
body		process on the axis that acts as a pivot for the atlas to move around
transverse foramen		drum-shaped portion of a vertebrae designed to bear weight
transverse process		the opening within a vertebrae, through which the spinal cord passes
sacral crest		the most posterior part of an individual vertebrae
spinous process		large surface on the thoracic vertebrae that allow for the attachment of ribs
superior articular facet		the fused spinous processes of the sacrum
dens		surface of the atlas that makes contact with the occipital bone of the skull
vertebral foramen		the openings within vertebrae through which vertebral arteries and veins pass

Part 2: The Thorax
For part 2 (questions 9-??), use the video below to and the textbook to label and color the diagrams and answer a set of questions.

Thoracic Cage

Use the video to color the diagram below using the key provided. Then label the diagram with the following structures:
xiphoid
body
manubrium
floating ribs
vertebrochondral ribs

There are a total of 24 pairs of ribs.

True

False

Ribs numbered _ to _ attach directly to the sternum and are called ___.

1-7; false

1-7; true

11-12; floating

8-10; 

What is the cartilage connecting ribs to the sternum called, and why is it important?

Why are ribs 11-12 called floating ribs?

Part 3: Extension
Apply your understanding of the vertebral column and thorax to answer questions 14-15

Exmine the spine in the MRI below of a patient's lumbar vertebrae:

What do you think is wrong with this patient's spine (in general - not the exact name!), and what symptoms might they experience?

How and why might the bodies and spinal foramens of vertebrae change size as we move down the vertebral column (excluding the sacram and coccyx)?

The spinal foramen increase in size from top to bottom because the spinal cord gets larger.  The bodies decrease in size from top to bottom because the bottom vertebrae bear less weight. 

The spinal foramen increase in size from top to bottom because the spinal cord gets smaller.  The bodies decrease in size from top to bottom because the bottom vertebrae bear more weight.

The spinal foramen decrease in size from top to bottom because the spinal cord gets smaller.  The bodies increase in size from top to bottom because the bottom vertebrae bear more weight.

The spinal foramen decrease in size from top to bottom because the spinal cord gets larger.  The bodies increase in size from top to bottom because the bottom vertebrae bear less weight.

Categorize the number of vertebrae in each vertebral region, as well as characteristics of the vertebrae found in this region.

have the largest body of all vertebrae

4 fused vertebrae

first two vertebrae have special names: the atlas and the axis

help to form pelvic girdle (along with hip bones)

have large transverse processes to allow for the attachment of ribs

12 separate vertebrae

attach to muscles of the pelvic floor

5 fused vertebrae

have a large spinal foramen and small spinous process

7 separate vertebrae

5 separate vertebrae

Cervical

Thoracic

Lumbar

Sacral

Coccyx

Which regions of the vertebral column are normally arranged wth an anteriorly concave curve?

cervical

thoracic

lumbar

sacrum

coccyx

Match the following terms with their descriptions

body

process on the axis that acts as a pivot for the atlas to move around

transverse foramen

drum-shaped portion of a vertebrae designed to bear weight

transverse process

the opening within a vertebrae, through which the spinal cord passes

sacral crest

the most posterior part of an individual vertebrae

spinous process

large surface on the thoracic vertebrae that allow for the attachment of ribs

superior articular facet

the fused spinous processes of the sacrum

dens

surface of the atlas that makes contact with the occipital bone of the skull

vertebral foramen

the openings within vertebrae through which vertebral arteries and veins pass

There are a total of 24 pairs of ribs.

True

False

Ribs numbered ___ to ___ attach directly to the sternum and are called ___.

1-7; false

1-7; true

11-12; floating

8-10; 

Copy of 09.16.20 (Sync and Async) - Vertebral Column and Thorax Bones (5/28/2026)

Copy of 09.16.20 (Sync and Async) - Vertebral Column and Thorax Bones (5/28/2026)

Vertebral Column and Thorax

Part 1: The Vertebral Column

The Vertebral ColumnUse the video to color the diagram below using the key provided. Then label the diagram with the following structures:cervical curvatureintervertebral diskatlasaxiscoccyxthoracic curvaturesacrumlumbar curvature

The SacrumThe sacrum represents a unique feature of the vertebral column in that it is composed of fused vertebrae. Label the following structures on the illustration below:coccyxsuperior articulating surfacesacral canalsacral hiatussacral foraminasacral crest

Compare and contrast the atlas and the axis

Part 2: The Thorax

Thoracic CageUse the video to color the diagram below using the key provided. Then label the diagram with the following structures:xiphoidbodymanubriumfloating ribsvertebrochondral ribs

What is the cartilage connecting ribs to the sternum called, and why is it important?

Why are ribs 11-12 called floating ribs?

Part 3: Extension

Exmine the spine in the MRI below of a patient's lumbar vertebrae:What do you think is wrong with this patient's spine (in general - not the exact name!), and what symptoms might they experience?

Vertebral Column and Thorax

Part 1: The Vertebral Column

The Vertebral ColumnUse the video to color the diagram below using the key provided. Then label the diagram with the following structures:cervical curvatureintervertebral diskatlasaxiscoccyxthoracic curvaturesacrumlumbar curvature

The SacrumThe sacrum represents a unique feature of the vertebral column in that it is composed of fused vertebrae. Label the following structures on the illustration below:coccyxsuperior articulating surfacesacral canalsacral hiatussacral foraminasacral crest

Compare and contrast the atlas and the axis

How and why might the bodies and spinal foramens of vertebrae change size as we move down the vertebral column (excluding the sacram and coccyx)?

Categorize the number of vertebrae in each vertebral region, as well as characteristics of the vertebrae found in this region.

Which regions of the vertebral column are normally arranged wth an anteriorly concave curve?

Match the following terms with their descriptions

Part 2: The Thorax

Thoracic CageUse the video to color the diagram below using the key provided. Then label the diagram with the following structures:xiphoidbodymanubriumfloating ribsvertebrochondral ribs

There are a total of 24 pairs of ribs.

Ribs numbered ___ to ___ attach directly to the sternum and are called ___.

What is the cartilage connecting ribs to the sternum called, and why is it important?

Why are ribs 11-12 called floating ribs?

Part 3: Extension

Exmine the spine in the MRI below of a patient's lumbar vertebrae:What do you think is wrong with this patient's spine (in general - not the exact name!), and what symptoms might they experience?

The Vertebral Column

Use the video to color the diagram below using the key provided. Then label the diagram with the following structures:
cervical curvature
intervertebral disk
atlas
axis
coccyx
thoracic curvature
sacrum
lumbar curvature

The Sacrum

The sacrum represents a unique feature of the vertebral column in that it is composed of fused vertebrae. Label the following structures on the illustration below:
coccyx
superior articulating surface
sacral canal
sacral hiatus
sacral foramina
sacral crest

Thoracic Cage

Use the video to color the diagram below using the key provided. Then label the diagram with the following structures:
xiphoid
body
manubrium
floating ribs
vertebrochondral ribs

Exmine the spine in the MRI below of a patient's lumbar vertebrae:

What do you think is wrong with this patient's spine (in general - not the exact name!), and what symptoms might they experience?

The Vertebral Column

Use the video to color the diagram below using the key provided. Then label the diagram with the following structures:
cervical curvature
intervertebral disk
atlas
axis
coccyx
thoracic curvature
sacrum
lumbar curvature

The Sacrum

The sacrum represents a unique feature of the vertebral column in that it is composed of fused vertebrae. Label the following structures on the illustration below:
coccyx
superior articulating surface
sacral canal
sacral hiatus
sacral foramina
sacral crest

Thoracic Cage

Use the video to color the diagram below using the key provided. Then label the diagram with the following structures:
xiphoid
body
manubrium
floating ribs
vertebrochondral ribs

Ribs numbered _ to _ attach directly to the sternum and are called ___.

Exmine the spine in the MRI below of a patient's lumbar vertebrae:

What do you think is wrong with this patient's spine (in general - not the exact name!), and what symptoms might they experience?