Three components of the axial skeleton

EXPERIMENT 5: PHYSICAL SKELETON – THE AXIAL SKELETON
Data Tables
Table 15: Cervical Vertebrae Observations

Vertebral Feature

Observations

Size of cervical vertebrae in comparison to those of the thoracic and lumbar region

Shape of the vertebral foramen

Spinous process of the C3 – C6

vertebrae

Spinous process of the C7 vertebra

Table 16: Thoracic Vertebrae Observations

Vertebral Feature

Observations

Size and weight of the thoracic vertebrae in comparison to those of the cervical and lumbar region

Shape of the vertebral body

Appearance and projection direction of the spinous process

Table 17: Lumbar Vertebrae Observations

Vertebral Feature

Observations

Size of the lumbar vertebrae in comparison to those of the cervical and thoracic region

Shape of the vertebral body

Appearance and projection direction of the spinous process

Table 18: Rib Feature Observations

Rib Feature

Observations

Length of ribs 1 – 7 (do they increase or decrease in length?)

Length of ribs 8 – 12 (do they increase or decrease in length?)

Articulation of the ribs and thoracic vertebrae (notice the specific rib and vertebra that articulate)

Post-Lab Questions
1. What are the three components of the axial skeleton? Describe the function of each.

2. Identify the labeled components on the skull below.

A ________________

B ________________

C ________________

D ________________

E ________________

F ________________

3. Indicate whether the following bones are cranial or facial bones, and give their location.

Bone

Facial or Cranial Location

Temporal Bones

Mandible

Vomer

Zygomatic Bones

Parietal Bones

Ethmoid Bone

Sphenoid Bone

Lacrimal Bones

4. What are the three regions of the vertebral column? Describe the general shape and size of the vertebrae in each region.

5. What are the atlas and axis? What are their functions?

6. Identify the vertebral structures on the images below.

A ________________

B ________________

C ________________

D ________________

E ________________

7. What is the purpose of the thoracic cage?

8. Describe the three components of the sternum.

9. Describe the difference between true ribs, false ribs, and floating ribs.

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