Department of Anatomy LEI Yueshan

Wuhan University School of Medicine 雷岳山

The bones of trunk

The bones of trunk sternum Cervical
vertebrae
Vertebrae (24)
Including
Sacrum (1)
Coccyx (1)
adult)

Sternum (1) Ribs

(In

Thoracic
vertebrae
Ribs (24)
Vertebral Column
Thoracic Cage
Pelvis
Lumbar
Ⅰ.Vertebral Column vertebrae
Cervical vertebrae(C1-C7)
Thoracic vertebrae(T1-T12 )
Lumbar vertebrae( L1-L5) Sacrum
Sacrum (1) Coccyx
Coccyx (1)
-1-
1.General features of vertebrae
vertebral
① vertebral body foramen
anterior, more massive part
A typical spherical to oval
vertebra supports body weight
② vertebral arch
posterior to the vertebral body
pedicles and laminae A viewed Superiorly
seven processes

body vertebral body

vertebral vertebral
arch foramen canal

spinal cord housing

B viewed Laterally
-2- C viewed Laterally
 vertebral
notch
spinous proces
Transverse s
process articular pr
ocesses

vertebral body
Pedicle Viewed Laterally
vertebral
body

Viewed superiorly
intervertebral
foramen
 vertebral arch Intervertebral f
① pedicles arch ---- body oramen

the superior vertebral pedicle superior vertebral

notches intervertebral inferior notch
foramina
the inferior vertebral superior arti
notches cular proces
s
② laminae
spinous pr
③ Seven processes Inferior artic
ocess ular process vertebral
ⅰ. spinous process body
projects dorsally from the fusion of t
he laminae on either side
ⅱ. transverse processes
project laterally from the junctions of t
he pedicles and laminae
ⅲ. superior and inferior articular processes
project cranially or caudally from the jun
ctions of the pedicles and laminae
-3-
 transverse
2.Main characterstics of v costal fovea
transverse Spinous pr
costal ocess
ertebrae in each regions facets

(1)Thoracic vertebrae
Heart-shaped; medium; facets
Superior
1.Body for rib articulations ( the costal
articular f
acet
costal fovea) fovea

2.Vertebral Vertebral
Small and round
foramen body

3.Spinous Long ; slender; not split; tip p

process oints posterocaudally
superior demifa
transverse
All but two(T11, T12 ) have costal
cet for head of
4.Transverse rib
facets for rib articulation (the
facets

processes
transverse costal fovea )
5.Articular facets
of articular proce
Posteriorly or anteriorly; Re
inferior demifac
sses latively coronary spinous
et for head of ri
b
process

-4-
 Vertebral Bifid tip of spino
(2)Cervical vertebrae foramen us process
spinous
Oval; small; curved Superior ar
process
1.Body ticular proc
faces ess lamin
2.Vertebral Superior a
Triangular ; large
foramen articular f
acet
Short; split (bifid ) ot transverse
3.Spinous pedicle
vertebral body foramen
her than C1,7; tip poin
process
ts posteriorly
4.Transverse Have transverse fora
processes mima
5.Articular face Superoposteriorly or in
ts of articular p feroanteriorly, Relativ
rocesses
ely horizontal

-5-
(3)Lumbar vertebrae

Kindey-shaped; thicke
1.Body r and massive;

2.Vertebral Triangular and

foramen medium
A Lateral view
3.Spinous Blunt; broad; tip point
process s posteriorly
long; no articular face
4.Transverse
ts or transverse foram
processes ina

5.Articular facets o Posteromedially or ante

f articular process rolaterally Relatively s
es agittal plane

-6- B Superior view

 Table compares of each regions of vertebrae
vertebrae cervical thoracic lumbar
Heart-shaped; medium;
Oval; Kindey-shaped; thic
Body facets for rib articulations
small ker and massive
(costal fovea )
Vertebral Triangular ;
foramen large
Small; round Triangular; medium
Spinous Long and slender; project Blunt; broad; project
Short; bifid
process s posterocaudally s posteriorly
All but two(T11, T12 ) have long; no articular fac
Transverse transverse
processes
facets for rib articulation ets or transverse for
foramina
(transverse costal fovea) amina
Articular pr Relatively Relatively sagitt
ocesses horizontal
Relatively coronary
al

-7-
(4) Particular vertebrae supererior anterior arch
articular fa
1) The atlas(C1) cet
transverse
two lateral masses process
anterior arch vertebral f
posterior arch Fovea dentis (for de oramem
ns of axis) on anteri posterior
or arch arch
The following features:
Atlas, superior view
(1) No body or a spinous process
(2) semicircular anterior arch transverse foanterior
ramem tubercle
----fovea dentis anterior
transverse arch
semicircular posterior arch process
(3) oval superior articular facet vertebral fo
------ articulating with the occi ramem
inferior art
pital condyle icular face
posterior
round inferior articular facet t Posterior arch
------articulating with the axis tubercle
-8- Atlas, inferior view
 dens
2) The axis(C2)
Distinguishing feature:
The dens
---projects superiorly C2 C2
Anterior articular surface Right lateral view posterior view
------Articulation with th
e fovea dentis

3) Vertebra prominens(C7) Spinous

process
Spinous process:
C6 posterior view C7
long and nonbifid
a prominence C7
under the skin

-9-
 (5) The sacrum The projecting anterior
edge of the body of the
A. In adults consists of 1st sacral vertebra
the five fused sacral vertebrae
B. Anterior surface
The sacral promontory
smooth and concave ;
four transverse lines ;
anterior sacral foramina(4 pairs)

anterior
sacral
foramina
transverse
Sacral Sacral apex
Sacral lines
hiatus apex
Viewed posteriorly Viewed laterally Viewed anteriorly
- 10 -
 rough and convex
C.Dorsal surface
the median sacral crest
the lateral sacral crest
the intermediate sacral crest
posterior sacral foramina (4 pairs)
sacral hiatus sacral hiatus sacral cornua
In the inferior end of the sacral canal, r
Sacral tub
esulted from the absence of the laminae an erosity
d spinous processes of S4 and S5 vertebra
Lateral
e. leads into the sacral canal sacral
posterior sacral crest
foramina
sacral cornua Median
sacral
Intermediate
Project inferiorly on each side sacral
o crest
crest
f the sacral hiatus, representing th Sacral Sacral
hiatus cornua
e inferior articular processes of S5
vertebra Coccyx

Viewed posteriorly
- 11 -
 D.Lateral surfaces

The auricular surface

----articulating with ilium
Auricular surface
The sacral tuberosity
Sacral tub
---- for the ligament erosity

attachment lateral
sacral
crest
(6)The coccyx median
sacral
crest
no pedicles, laminae, sacral sacral
or spinous processes Sacral cornua curve
hiatus
in adulthood
coccyx

Viewed posteriorly Viewed laterally

- 12 -
Ⅱ. Sternum
Broad and triangular
The jugular notch
Manubrium
The clavicular notch
The 1st costal notch

An obtuse angle of the junctio

The sternal n of manubrium with body, sli
angle ghtly convex forward.
Forms a useful landmark
A series of articular facets (costal
Body notches ) on the lateral margins
articulating with costal cartilages f
rom rib pairs 2-7
Xiphoid

- 13 -
 superior demifacet
transverse
for head of rib
Ⅲ Rib costal facets

Scalene
The costal bone tubercle
The costal cartilage tubercle
Head
neck
True ribs Attaching directly The first rib
to the sternum head
(1-7) inferior demifacet f
or head of rib

False ribs Costal arch (8-10) spinous pr

ocess

(8-12) Floating ribs (11,12) The 12th rib

a head
a neck
Structure projecting
Tubercle:
dorsally

a costal groove,
a body
costal angle
- 14 -
 Highlights of this chapter

Important Concepts
sacral promontory
sternal angle

intervertebral foramen
Important Contents
Main characterstics of vertebrae in each regions
The features of the sternum and the ribs

- 15 -
 Department of Anatomy LEI Yueshan
Wuhan University School of Medicine 雷岳山

The bones of trunk

(sample)
 What to observe in the practice
1.When you pick up a typical vertebra, you first identify which region
it is according to the particular features: costal fovea, transverse
costal fovea; bifid, transverse foramen.
2.Then you must find the the following structures: vertebral body, pedicl
es, laminae, vertebral foramen, spinous process, Superior, inferior artic
ular processes, transverse processes, superior vertebral notches, the in
ferior vertebral notches, intervertebral foramina
1) The atlas(C1): anterior arch, posterior arch, superior fa
cet, inferior articular facet
2) The axis(C2): dens
3) Vertebra prominens(C7): Spinous process
4) The sacrum: transverse lines, anterior or posterior sacral fora
mina, sacral promontory, the median or lateral sacral crest, sacral
cornua, sacral hiatus, auricular surface, sacral tuberosity
3.Sternum: manubrium, body, Xiphoid, jugular notch, clavicula
r notch, sternal angle, costal notch
4.Rib: head, neck, body, tubercle, costal groove
 1.General features of vertebrae
① vertebral body pedicle superior
vertebral vertebral
superior articular inferior notch
② vertebral arch foramen processes
① pedicles
the superior
vertebral notches vertebral body
intervertebral spinous process
the inferior foramina
vertebral notches inferior articular processes

② laminae
function parts
Seven processes Muscle attachment spinous process

articular p
spinous process rocesses
superior articular processes Restriction of
movement
inferior articular processes transverse
Protection of spinal cord process
transverse processes
vertebral
Support of body weight
body

- 16 - A
 2.Main characteristics of vertebrae in each regions
transverse
costal facets

Bifid tip of spinous process

Superior
articular f
acet Spinous
Vertebral process
foramen Lamina
superior demifa
cet for head of Superior arti
rib cular facet

Pedicle Transverse
inferior demifac foramen
et for head of r Vertebral body
spinous pr ib
ocess
(1)Thoracic vertebrae (2)Cervical vertebrae
- 17 -
 (3) The atlas(C1) anterior
transverse fo
vertebral fora anterior tubercle
supererior artic ramem
mem arch
ular facet

transverse
process

articular facet (for dens of axis) o inferior articular posterior

n anterior arch facet arch
Posterior tubercle

Atlas, superior view Atlas, inferior view

(4)The axis(C2)
(5) Vertebra prominens(C7)
dens Spinous proc
ess

- 18 - C2 C7
(6)Lumbar vertebrae

Viewed laterally

- 19 - Viewed superiorly
(7) The sacrum and coccyx
The sacral promontory

Sacral tub
erosity

Transverse lines lateral

sacral
crest

Anterior s Posterior median

sacral fora sacral
acral fora crest
mena mena
Sacral
Sacral cornua
hiatus

coccyx

- 20 - Viewed anteriorly Viewed posteriorly

 (7) The sacrum

auricular
surface

Viewed laterally The Sternum

- 21 -
 The sternum

The rib

Viewed anteriorly
- 22 -
 Department of Anatomy LEI Yueshan
Wuhan University School of Medicine 雷岳山

Joints of bones
of trunk
 Ⅰ.Joints of vertebral column
Joints of vertebral bodies and the arches
Intervertebral disc
1.Joints of vertebral bodies Anterior longitudinal lig.
① Intervertebral disc Posterior longitudinal lig.
anulus fibrosus ---Outer fibrous part
a shock absorber
nucleus pulposus ---Gelatinous central mass

Intervertebral d
isc

nucleus
pulposus
anulus Viewed anteriorly
fibrosus
Viewed superiorly
-1-
Prolapsed disc

Rupture

anulus fibr
osus

Area of nucleus p
protrusion ulposus

Because of trauma or degenerative changes , the relatively thin p

osterior part of the anulus fibrosus may rupture, allowing the nucl
eus pulposus to protrude posterolaterally into the vertebral canal.
The escaped disc can compress the adjacent spinal nerve roots a
nd cause pain of leg and/or lower part of back.

-2-
 ② Anterior longitudinal lig.
The sacrum The foramen magnum

Anterior Vertebral bodies

surfaces Intervertebral discs
Prevent hyperextension
Maintain stability

③ Posterior longitudinal lig.

C2 (axis) the sacrum
Posterior Vertebral bodies
surfaces Intervertebral discs

Hyperflexion Posterior longitu Anterior longitu

Prevent dinal lig. dinal lig.
Posterior protrusion of t
he intervertebral discs Viewed lateriorly
-3-
2 ． Joints of vertebral arches
The zygapophysial joints
Accessory ligaments
(1) The zygapophysial joints

The superior articular process

The inferior articular process

Plane synovial joints

Only slightly gliding
Zygapophysial joints
Viewed anteriorly

-4-
(2) Accessory ligaments
1) Ligamenta flava
Ligamentum n
Laminae ------ laminae Intervertebral
uchae
disc
Prevent hyperflexion an Anterior
d injury of discs longitudinal
Ligamenta flav
ligament
2) Interspinous ligaments: a
Spinous process -------spinous process
3) Supraspinous ligament :
------A strong fibrous cord
Interconnects the tips of the spinous processes
C7 ----- the sacrum Interspinous
4) Ligamentum nuchae: lig.
-------A large elastic lig.
Supraspinous
lig.
C7 ---- the external occipital crest
Maintain the head in an upright position

-5-
 3. Joints of the atlas with the axis
1) Median atlantoaxial joint Anterior arch
----a pivot joint dens
Transverse lig.
The fovea dentis of atlas
atlas
The dens axis
Transverse ligament of atlas Median atlantoaxial joint
Occipital Apical lig. o
2) Lateral atlantoaxial joints(2) f dens
bone
The inferior articular facets of Cl Alar lig.

The superior articular facets of C2

Movement: the head to turn from
side to side (as when shaking the C1
head to indicate “no”) Lateral atla
ntoaxial joi C2
The skull and atlas rotate nt
as a unit on the axis. Lateral atlantoaxial joints
-6-
 4.Joints of the vertebral
column with the cranium
Atlantooccipital joints
The atlantooccipital joints Occipital Apical lig. of dens
bone Alar lig.
Condyloid, cooperated joints
Occipital condyles
Superior articular surfac C1
es of the atlas

Movement: nodding C2

Viewed posteriorly

-7-
5.Vertebral column as a whole and its Movements
(1) Vertebral column as a whole

① Viewed anteriorly:
The width of the vertebral bodies

C2 S2 small large
S2 Co large small
progressively larger to bear the
progressively greater body weight

-8-
 ② Viewed posteriorly:
The spinous processes
C2
The cervical region: cervical
long, horizontal and bifid region bifid
The thoracic region: C7
In the upper part:
slant downward and overlapping
In the middle part:
long and almost vertical
In the lower part stumpy , nearly
Lumbar region horizontal

a groove of vertebral column

-9-
③ Viewed laterally Cervical
curve
Four physiological curves
(In the sagittal plane)
To provide a flexible support (shock- Thoracic
curve
absorbing resilience) for the body
Cervical curve
Convex forward, Secondary curves Lumbar
Hold up its head(3-4 months) curve
Thoracic curve Sacral
Concave forward, Primary curves curve
Lumbar curve
Convex forward, Secondary curves Lumbar curve
Begins to walk and assumes the Cervical curve

upright posture (12 months) Primary curve

Sacral curve
Concave forward, Primary curves
newborn 3~4months 12 months
- 10- The forming of curves in the infant
 (2) Movements of the vertebral column
The following movements of the vertebral column are possible:
①Anterior flexion (bending forward) The extent and variety of the movements
②Extension (bending backward) influenced by
The elasticity, thickness of the
③Lateral flexion (bending to the side ) intervertebral discs

④Rotation or twisting Surfaces muscles and ligaments

The shape and direction of articulation

Extension
② flexion
①

③ Lateral bending ④ Rotation

- 11 - Movements of the vertebral column
(3) Functions of the vertebral column
(1)Protects the spinal cord and spinal nerves.
(2)Supports the weight of the body.
(3)Provides a partly rigid and flexible axis for
the body and a pivot for the head.
(4)Help maintain an upright body position, as
in sitting or standing.

- 12 -
 Ⅱ.Joints of the thoracic cage costal transverse costal fovea
fovea
The costovertebral joints
The sternocostal joints
The interchondral joints

1.The costovertebral joints

ribs vertebrae
（ 1 ） Joints of costal head Joints of
The heads of ribs costal head

The costal fovea on the bodies Costotransverse

of the thoracic vertebrae joints

（ 2 ） Costotransverse joints
The tubercle of the ribs
The transverse costal fovea on
the transverse processes
- 13 -
2.The sternocostal joints
costal cartilages (2—7)

costal notches of the sternum

The 1st rib
The manubrium of the sternum

synchondrosis
3. The interchondral joints

The costal arch

formed by the costal cartilages of 7th,
8th, 9th and 10th ribs to articulate one
by one with small interchondral joints. Infrasternal a
ngle

- 14 -
4. Thoracic cage as a whole
An osseous—cartilaginous cage; conical in shaped
12 thoracic vertebrae
12 pairs of ribs with their costal cartilages
the sternum
their connections
thoracic
vertebrae

sternum

ribs

costal
cartilages

- 15 -
 The superior aperture of thorax
The inferior aperture of thorax

The 1st pair of The 1st thoracic

ribs and their vertebra
costal cartilages
The superior border o
f manubrium

The sternal angle

Xiphoid process

The costal
arches The free border of 12th
and 11th ribs laterally
T12

- 16 -
 5. Functions of thoracic cage
Three functions
(1) It protects structures in the thoracic cavity
the heart, lungs, thymus, and the others

(2) It protects some upper abdominal organs

such as the liver

(3) It serves as an attachment point for muscles

involved with
1) respiration
2) the position of the vertebral column
3) movements of the pectoral girdle and upper limbs

- 17 -
 Highlights of this chapter

Important Concepts
Intervertebral disc

costal arch

Important Contents
1.Joints of vertebral bodies

2.Joints of vertebral arches

3.Vertebral column as a whole and its movements

- 18 -
 Department of Anatomy Lei Yueshan
Wuhan University School of Medicine 雷岳山

Joins of bones of trunk

(sample)
 What to observe in the practice
1.Joints of vertebral bodies: Intervertebral disc; nucleus pulposus, anul
us fibrosus; Anterior longitudinal lig. Posterior longitudinal lig.
2 ． Joints of vertebral arches: The zygapophysial joints; Ligamenta
flava; Interspinous lig.; Supraspinous lig.; Ligamentum nuchae

3. Vertebral column as a whole: ① Viewed anteriorly: The vertebral b

odies ② Viewed posteriorly: The shape and direction of the spinous
processes ③ Viewed laterally Four physiological curves

1 ） Joints of cotal head

4.The costovertebral joints
2 ） Costotransverse joints
5.The sternocostal joints

6. The interchondral joints; the costal arch

7.The structure of thorax
Ⅰ.Joins of vertebral column Intervertebral disc
1.Joints of vertebral bodies Anterior longitudinal ligament
Posterior longitudinal ligament
nucleus p
ulposus
anulus fibrosus

Posterior
longitudinal
ligament

Anterior
nucleus p
longitudinal
ulposus anulus fibrosus
ligament

- 17 -
2 ． Joints of vertebral
arches
(1) The zygapophysial joints
(2) Accessory ligaments
1) Ligamenta flava Ligamentum
2) Interspinous ligaments nuchae
3) Supraspinous ligament
4) Ligamentum nuchae

Ligamenta fla
vum

Zygapophysial joint
intervertebral
disc Interspinous lig.
Anterior longit
udinal lig.

Supraspinous lig
Viewed anteriorly .
- 18-
 5.Vertebral column as a whole

Bifid
Cervical
C2

Long,
S2
overlap Thoracic

small
stumpy , Lumbar
horizontal
large

Sacral curve

① Anterior view ② Posterior view ③ Lateral view

The vertebral bodies The spinous processes physiological curves
- 19 -
 Ⅱ.Joints of the thoracic cage
1.The costovertebral joints
（ 1 ） Joints of cotal head
（ 2 ） Costotransverse joints Costotransverse joints

Joints of costal head

- 20 -
2. The sternocostal joints
3. The interchondral joints

Sternocostal jcostal cartilages

oints costal notches

Interchondral j
oints

- 21 -
 4.Thoracic cage
The superior or inferior aperture of thorax

The 1st pair of The 1st thoracic

ribs and their vertebra
costal cartilages
The superior border o
f manubrium

The sternal angle

Xiphoid process

The costal
arches The free border of 12th
and 11th ribs laterally
T12

- 22 -