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)

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.

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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