Vertebral Column : An Overview MCQ - Practice Questions with Answers

• The Vertebral column extends from the base of the skull and constitutes the main framework of the trunk.
• It consists of four curvatures : Cervical curvature in the neck region, Thoracic curvature in the chest region, Lumbar curvature in the abdomen or lower back region and Sacral curvature in the pelvic region
• In adults the vertebral column is formed by 26 serially arranged units called vertebrae and is dorsally placed. 
• In children there are 33 vertebrae present 
• The Vertebrae present are as follows

• Thus in adults the 5 Sacral are fused and 4 Coccygeal are also fused and hence the total vertebrae varies in adults and children
• Each vertebra has a central hollow portion (neural canal) through which the spinal cord passes. 
• 

Cervical Vertebrae:

• These are 7 in number present in the neck, the first cervical vertebra is called atlas, the second cervical vertebra is known as the axis. 
• The atlas supports the head and is named for the mythological Atlas who supported the world on his shoulders.
• The Axis has a peg like process called the odontoid process

Thoracic Vertebrae:

• These are 12 in number present in the chest. 
• They are larger and stronger than the cervical vertebrae. 
• They articulate with ribs.

Lumbar Vertebrae:

• These are 5 in number present in the abdomen. 
• They are the largest and strongest in the vertebral column. 
• Their processes are short and thick. 
• The spinous pro­cesses are thick and broad and project posteriorly.

Sacrum:

• The five sacral vertebrae are fused in the adult, forming one structure called the sacrum, which lies between the innominate bones of the pelvic girdle. 
• The female sacrum is shorter, wider than the male sacrum.

Coccyx:

• The four coccygeal vertebrae are fused to form a curved triangular bone called the coccyx. 
• In females, the coccyx points inferiorly but in the male, it points anteriorly. It is considered as a vestigial tail

Intervertebral discs

• These discs are present between the adjacent vertebrae from Axis to the Sacrum

Vertebral Formula

• The formula in adults is denoted as C₇T₁₂L₅S₍₅₎C₍₄₎

_NOTE

The thoracic and sacral (pelvic) curves are termed primary curvatures, because they alone are present during fetal life. The Cervical and Lumbar curves develop later and hence are Secondary curvatures