The Axial Skeleton

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The Axial Skeleton

• Megan, Crystal, and Hope

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Cervical

• Begins at the base of the skull.
• Purpose to contain and protect the spinal cord,
  support the skull, and move the head side to
  side.
• 7 vertebrae

3
Thoracic

• Located in the chest area.
• 12 vertebrae
• Ribs connect to this section to protect many
  vital organs.

4
Lumbar

• Third region of the spine
• Most people have 5 bones, but they can have 6.

5
Sacral

• Consists of 5 fused bones below the lumbar.
• The lumbar and sacral regions are prone to a lot
  of stress.

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Atlas

• It is the first vertebrae of the neck.
• Supports the skull and rotates around the axis.

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Axis

• The 2nd vertebrae
• It is a pivot for turning the head.

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Sacrum

• Large, triangular bone
• It fits like a wedge between the two hipbones.

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Coccyx

• Considered the tailbone.
• Consists of 3-5 vertebrae.
• Solid bone with nothing in the middle.
• Shaped like a triangle.

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Total number of vertebrae

• 7 cervical
• 12 thoracic
• 5 lumbar
• 1 sacral
• 3-5 coccyx (fused into 1)
• 26 total bones

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Kyphosis

• A forward curvature of the spine.
• Also called hunchback
• Your mid-back region is supposed to curve , but
  too much of a curve is abnormal.

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Scoliosis

• Girls are two times more likely to get it than
  boys.
• Most commonly seen in those that are over ten
  years old.
• It is hereditary.
• The spine takes the shape
• of an S.

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Disks

• Act as pillows between each bone.
• Vertical pressure is absorbed by the disks.

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Structures on the rib cage

• True Ribs- 7 pairs of bone that connect to the
  sternum by separate cartilage extensions.
• False Ribs- 4 pairs of ribs that dont attach
  directly to the sternum.
• Floating Ribs- 2 pairs of ribs that dont connect
  with the sternum.
• Costal Cartilages- the cartilage that connects
  the true ribs to the sternum.

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Continued

• Sternum- flat bone that is located in the middle
  of the chest. It helps protect the heart, lungs,
  ect
• Manubrium- the handle. Located at the top of
  the sternum and is connected to the first two
  ribs.
• Body- located in the middle of the sternum and it
  connects some ribs indirectly.
• Xiphoid Process- the tip. Located at the bottom
  of the sternum.

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Function of the rib cage

• It encloses the thoracic cavity which contains
  the lungs.
• Protects organs from any injury.
• Protects the heart, lungs, part of the stomach,
  spleen,
• and kidneys.