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Veertebral Essay

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The vertebral column is made up of 33 vertebrae that unite together to form a singular structure. The Vertebral column lies in the middle of the body, from the base of the skull to just below the hip bones. The vertebral column is split into five separate sections. The Cervical, made up of 7 vertebrae, Thoracic, 12 vertebrae, Lumber, 5, Sacrum, 5 fused vertebrae and the coccyx, 4 more fused vertebrae. Each individual vertebral are separated by interverbral discs are joined together by ligaments and muscles.
In this assignment is will distinguish the difference between each section and what makes them different from each other. I will outline the distinguishing features of the different levels and what function they provide.

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(Moore, K & Dalley, A 2004, pp 482-485, Grays)
Cervical 2- The C2, also known as the Axes, is below the atlas and contains odontoid process (dens). A bony peg-like protuberance that projects superiorly anteriorly from its body and serves as a pivot which rotation accurse. (Moore, K & Dalley, A 2004, pp 482-485)

Cervical 7- The C7 is known as a transitional vertebra. The most distinctive characteristic of this vertebra is the fact it has long and prominent spinous process, hence the name transitional vertebrae or vertebra prominens. The process is thick, almost horizontal. (Moore, K & Dalley, A 2004, pp 482-485, Grays).

Thoracic Vertebrae
The thoracic spine is made up of 12 vertebral bones that make up the middle of the back. Just like typical Cx vertebrae the Thoracic (Tx) vertebrae have bodies, spinous process and transverses processes. In the Tx, these are larger due to the extra pressure and weight load that is placed through the area. As in the cervical spine, the Tx is also named Thoracic 1 (T1), threw to Thoracic 12 (T12). Ten of the 12 Tx, T1-T10, articulate with the ribs and have facets where this occurs. (Moore, K & Dalley, A 2004, pp 488-489, Gray, H 1991, pp8-10)

Typical Thoracic Vertebrae
Typical Tx vertebrae are the four in the middle of the region, T5-T8. They have an articular process that extends vertically which articulates with the spinous process of the Tx above. The arc that is created in this articulation allows rotation

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