Spine and Thorax

The SpineThe Spine supports all of the weight of the upper body

The Spine or Vertebral Column consists of 4 sections:

•The Cervical Curve•The Thoracic Curve•The Lumbar Curve•The Sacrum and Coccyx

The Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar are made up of 24 articulating vertebrae

The Sacrum and Coccyx are made up of 9 fused vertebrae

The Parts of the Spine

The Cervical Curve•The Cervical Curve consists of 7 vertebrae (C1-C7)•The Cervical Curve is the superior part of the spine•This portion of the spine curves anteriorly

The Cervical Curve

The Parts of the Spine

The Thoracic Curve•The Thoracic Curve consists of 12 vertebrae (T1-T12)•This part of the spine articulates with the ribs of the rib cage•This portion of the spine curves posteriorly

The Thoracic Curve

The Parts of the Spine

The Lumbar Curve

The Lumbar Curve•The Lumbar Curve consists of 5 vertebrae (L1-L5)•This portion of the spine curves anteriorly

The Parts of the Spine

The Sacrum and Coccyx

The Sacrum•5 fused vertebrae

The Coccyx•4 fused vertebrae

The Thorax

The Thorax contains and protects the principal organs of respiration and circulation

The Thorax consists of:•12 ribs on each side•Costal Cartilage, and•The Sternum

The Sternum and Costal Cartilage

The Sternum:•The Sternum or Breastbone is located anteriorly to the Heart in the center of the Thorax•The Sternum connects to the Rib Bones via Costal Cartilage

Costal Cartilage:•The bars of cartilage that connect the Sternum to the Rib Bones.•They contribute to the elasticity of the walls of the Thorax.

Rib Bones 1-7 (True Ribs)

Ribs 1-7:•These ribs are called True Ribs•True Ribs are Rib Bones that connect directly to the Sternum through Costal Cartilage

Rib Bones 8-12 (False Ribs)

Ribs 8-12:•These ribs are called False Ribs•False Ribs do not connect directly to the Sternum•Ribs 8-10 connect to the Costal Cartilage of the ribs just above them•Ribs 11 and 12 are called Floating Ribs and they do not connect to anything anteriorly