Vertebral Column, Spinal Cord, Skeleton and Trunk
Adult skeleton of the vertebral column – from the left
Cervical vertebra
1 First (CI) – atlas
2 Second (CII) – axis
3 Third (CIII)
4 Fourth (CIV)
5 Fifth (CV)
6 Sixth (CVI)
7 Seventh (CVII) – vertebra prominens
Thoracic vertebra
1 First (TI)
2 Second (TII)
3 Third (TIII)
4 Fourth (TIV)
5 Fifth (TV)
6 Sixth (TVI)
7 Seventh (TVII)
8 Eighth (TVIII)
9 Ninth (TIX)
10 Tenth (TX)
11 Eleventh (TXI)
12 Twelfth (TXII)
Lumbar vertebra
1 First (LI)
2 Second (LII)
3 Third (LIII)
4 Fourth (LIV)
5 Fifth (LV)
Sacrum 1–5
Normally formed from the fusion of five sacral vertebra (sacral vertebrae I–V).
Coccyx 1–4
Normally formed by fusion of four rudimentary vertebra (but variable three to five) (coccygeal vertebrae I–IV).
Adult skeleton, with long bones of the left upper and lower limb removed – from the left
1 Nasal bone
2 Frontal bone
3 Parietal bone
4 Sphenoid
5 Temporal bone
6 Occipital bone
7 Zygomatic bone
8 Maxilla
9 Mandible
10 First (CI) cervical vertebra – atlas
11 Second (CII) cervical vertebra – axis
12 Seventh (CVII) cervical vertebra – vertebra prominens
13 First (TI) thoracic vertebra
14 Spine of scapula
15 Medial border of scapula
16 Lateral border of scapula
17 Glenoid cavity of scapula
18 Acromion of scapula
19 Acromial end of clavicle
20 Manubrium of sternum
21 Manubriosternal joint
22 Body of sternum
23 First (I) rib
24 Second (II) rib
25 Third (III) rib
26 Fourth (IV) rib
27 Fifth (V) rib
28 Sixth (VI) rib
29 Seventh (VII) rib
30 Eighth (VIII) rib
31 Ninth (IX) rib
32 Tenth (X) rib
33 Eleventh (XI) rib
34 Twelfth (XII) rib
35 Second (LII) lumbar vertebra
36 Fourth (LIV) lumbar vertebra
37 Fifth (LV) lumbar vertebra
38 Hip bone
39 Iliac crest
40 Posterior inferior iliac spine
41 Greater sciatic notch
42 Sacrum
43 Anterior superior iliac spine
44 Acetabulum
45 Pubic tubercle
46 Body of pubis
47 Obturator foramen
48 Ischial tuberosity
49 Shaft of right femur
A Adult first (CI) cervical vertebra – atlas – from above
B Adult second (CII) cervical vertebra – axis – from above
C Adult fifth (CV) cervical vertebra – from above
1 Vertebral foramen
2 Facet for dens of axis
3 Anterior tubercle
4 Posterior tubercle
5 Posterior arch
6 Groove for vertebral artery
7 Lateral mass with superior articular facet
8 Foramen transversarium
9 Transverse process
10 Anterior arch
11 Bifid spinous process
12 Lamina
13 Superior articular process
14 Apex of dens
15 Anterior articular surface of dens
16 Posterior articular surface of dens
17 Uncus (posterolateral lip) of body
18 Body
19 Groove for spinal nerve (ventral ramus)
20 Pedicle
The foramen transversarium:
➤ Is present in the transverse processes of all seven cervical vertebrae, a feature that distinguishes them from the rest of the vertebrae forming the vertebral column.
➤ The foramen accommodates the vertebral artery, which enters the sixth vertebra, ascends through the remaining five to loop into the foramen magnum.
The typical cervical vertebrae:
➤ Are deemed the third to the sixth; the first (CI) (atlas), second (CII) (axis) and seventh (CVII) (vertebra prominens) differ, having certain distinct features.
A Adult first (TI) thoracic vertebra – from above
B Adult fourth (LIV) lumbar vertebra – from above
1 Vertebral foramen
2 Body
3 Posterolateral lip (uncus)
4 Pedicle
5 Superior articular process
6 Transverse process with costal facet
7 Lamina
8 Spinous process
9 Transverse process
10 Mamillary process
The typical thoracic vertebrae:
➤ Are the second to the ninth having characteristic features of upper and lower articular facets on the sides of their bodies, which join the heads of the ribs, and an articular facet on the front of each transverse process, which joins a rib tubercle.
➤ They also have, a round vertebral foramen, spinous process that points downwards and backwards, and superior articular processes that are vertical, flat and face backwards and laterally.
The lumbar vertebrae:
➤ Have large sized bodies, no costal facets on their bodies and transverse processes, and a distinct triangular-shaped vertebral foramen.
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