Why Is There A Size Difference Between The Most Superior And Most Inferior Vertebrae?

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Why Is There A Size Difference Between The Most Superior And Most Inferior Vertebrae??

There is a size difference between the most superior and inferior vertebrae because the inferior vertebrae need to support more weight.

Why is there a size difference between vertebrae?

Thus cervical vertebrae are smaller than lumbar vertebrae due to differences in the proportion of body weight that each supports. Thoracic vertebrae have sites for rib attachment and the vertebrae that give rise to the sacrum and coccyx have fused together into single bones.

What is the significance of the most superior vertebrae?

Upper Vertebrae

The cervical region of the spine is the most superior and contains seven small vertebrae. The main function of the cervical region is to facilitate attachment of the skull to the spine protect the spinal cord over the exposed neck and shoulder region and support the body.

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How does the vertebrae change along the length of the vertebral column?

The adult vertebral column does not form a straight line but instead has four curvatures along its length (see Figure 1). These curves increase the vertebral column’s strength flexibility and ability to absorb shock. … Secondary curves are concave posteriorly opposite in direction to the original fetal curvature.

How can you tell the difference between vertebrae?

Which vertebrae is most inferior?

The most inferior region of the vertebral column is the b. coccyx.

Which vertebrae are largest and strongest?

Lumbar Spine
Lumbar Spine: In your low back you have 5 vertebrae that are labeled L1 to L5 (the ‘L’ means lumbar). Some people have 6 lumbar vertebrae. These vertebrae are your largest and strongest vertebrae responsible for carrying a lot of your body’s weight.Apr 16 2019

What is the purpose of the superior inferior articular facets?

The facet joints both superior and inferior are aligned in a way to allow flexion and extension and to limit rotation. This is especially true in the lumbar spine.

Why are the lumbar vertebrae the largest and strongest in the vertebral column?

There are 5 lumbar vertebrae (denoted as L1-L5) found in adult humans and they are situated beneath the thoracic vertebrae They are the largest in terms of size out of all the vertebrae because the lumbar vertebrae must be able to support the weight of the body when a person is standing due to the effects of …

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.

Why are thoracic vertebrae different?

Thoracic vertebrae have bodies of intermediate size. They are distinguished by their long slender spines and by the presence of facets on the sides of the bodies articulating with the heads of the ribs and by facets on the transverse processes articulating with the tubercles of ribs.

What is the most superior bone of the vertebral column?

cervical vertebrae

The cervical vertebrae are the smallest and most superior of the vertebrae. The most superior of these vertebrae articulate with the skull. The thoracic vertebrae are matched to each pair of ribs to form the rib cage and establish the thoracic cavity.

Why are there regional differences between the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord?

The thoracic vertebrae are larger than the cervical bones and have longer spinous processes. In addition to longer spinous processes rib attachments add to the thoracic spine’s strength. These structures make the thoracic spine more stable than the cervical or lumbar regions.

What is the difference between vertebrae and spine?

It is made up of nerve tissue and is responsible for controlling involuntary muscular movements of the body. On the other hand vertebrae are the series of individual bony structures forming the vertebral column or the spine. Here the spine encloses the spinal cord providing protection.

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How does the structure and function of C1 and C2 differ from that of other vertebrae?

The C1 vertebra also called atlas is shaped like a ring. The C2 vertebra has an upward-facing long bony process called the dens. The dens forms a joint with the C1 vertebra and facilitates its turning motions thereby allowing the head to turn in different directions.

Which of the following thoracic vertebrae is the largest?

Which of the following thoracic vertebrae is the largest? There are 12 thoracic vertebrae. The size of the individual vertebrae increase from the top of the column to the bottom therefore the last thoracic vertebra T12 would be the largest.

Which of the following is inferior to the thoracic vertebrae?

The thoracic vertebrae are located in the middle section of the vertebral column specifically inferior to the cervical vertebrae and superior to the lumbar vertebrae.

What is the most inferior portion of the spinal cord called?

At its inferior end the spinal cord tapers to a point known as the conus medullaris and gives rise to many large nerve fibers known as the cauda equina. The cauda equina descends through the vertebral canal from the conus medullaris to the coccyx.

What are the main differences between cervical thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?

The key difference between cervical thoracic and lumbar vertebrae is their location. Cervical vertebrae are in the neck region while thoracic vertebrae are in the thorax (chest region) and lumbar vertebrae are in the lower back region.

Which vertebrae are largest and strongest quizlet?

The thoracic vertebrae are the largest and the strongest of the unfused bones in the vertebral column.

What is the weakest part of the spine?

cervical spine

The weakest part of the spine is the cervical spine which is made up of seven vertebrae.

Which parts of vertebrae is most commonly fractured?

Most spinal fractures occur in the thoracic (midback) and lumbar spine (lower back) or at the connection of the two (thoracolumbar junction). Treatment depends on the severity of the fracture and whether the patient has other associated injuries.

What does the superior articular facet articulate with?

Superior articular facet (Facies articularis superior) is an oval-shaped concave structure on the superior aspect of the lateral mass. It articulates with an occipital condyle on the underside skull.

What is the difference between the articular process and the articular facet?

The articular processes or zygapophyses (Greek ζυγον = “yoke” (because it links two vertebrae) + απο = “away” + φυσις = “process“) of a vertebra are projections of the vertebra that serve the purpose of fitting with an adjacent vertebra. The actual region of contact is called the articular facet.

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What is the function of the superior articular process?

The functional significance of the articular processes is obviously to limit rotation which can take place in the lumbar segment of the vertebral column during any asymmetrical movement of the body.

Why are lumbar vertebrae thicker?

The bodies of the lumbar vertebrae are massive sturdy and designed to withstand vertical compression. The spinous processes are broad and thick so stabilizing muscles can attach. The superior articular facets face inward (medially) and the inferior articular facets face outward (laterally).

Why are lumbar vertebrae so large what is its physiological significance?

Lumbar Vertebrae Function

These bones also protect the spinal cord and nerves from injury and provide a measure of support. The lumbar vertebrae are the biggest vertebral bones. They increase in size further down the spine in order to support the increasing weight of the body.

What is unique about the lumbar vertebrae?

Typical lumbar vertebrae have several features distinct from those typical of cervical or thoracic vertebrae. The most notable distinction is the presence of a large vertebral body. The spinous process is short and thick relative to the size of the vertebra and projects perpendicularly from the body.

Which joints are found between the superior and inferior articular processes?

Also known as the zygapophyseal or apophyseal joint is a synovial joint between the superior articular process of one vertebra and the inferior articular process of the vertebra directly above it. There are two facet joints in each spinal motion segment.

What is the correct order for the vertebral regions from superior to inferior?

From superior to inferior these are: Cervical: 7 vertebrae (C1 = highest C7 = lowest) Thoracic: 12 vertebrae (T1 = highest T12 = lowest) Lumbar: 5 vertebrae (L1 = highest L5 = lowest)

Which vertebrae have large vertebral bodies?

Lumbar vertebrae

Lumbar vertebrae support the greatest amount of body weight and thus have a large thick body. They also have a short blunt spinous process. The sacrum is triangular in shape.

How does the thoracic vertebrae differ from the other vertebrae?

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.

How are the thoracic vertebrae 11 and 12 difference?

The eleventh thoracic vertebra (T-11) has an intact superiorly placed costal facet on each side of the vertebral body but no costal articulation on the transverse processes. The twelfth thoracic vertebra (T-12) resembles T-11 but the inferior articular facets assume the lumbar pattern.