Bones And Articulations Of

Trunk
GanShengWei

Department of Anatomy
Contents
Ⅰ. Vertebral column
1. Bones of vertebral column
⑴The external features of Vertebra
① The general external features of a typical V
② The external features of vertebrae in every region
③The external features of specia vertebrae
⒉Articulations of vertebral column
II. Thorax
1.Bones of thorax:
⑴ sternum
⑵ ribs
2.The articulations of thorax
⑴ The articulations between vertebrae and ribs.
⑵ The articulations between sternum and costal cartilages
Bones of trunk include vertebrae,
sternum and ribs, which are
connected by the articulations to
form the vertebral column and
thorax.

Bones of trunk
Vertebral column
articulations( thorax
synarthrosis
and diarthrosis)
Ⅰ. Vertebral column
1. Bones
Cervical vertebae CV7

Thoracic vertebae TV12

Lumbar vertebrae LV5

Sacrum S1(5 separated

sacral V. fused
mutually to form
sacrum)
Coccyx Col (4 separated
coccygeal V. )
⑴The external features of Vertebra
① The general external features of a typical V.
taking a thoracic V. as a typical V.
Vertebral body: almost rounded
column superior vertebral notch
pedicle
inferior vertebral notch
Vertebral arch:
Lamina of vertebral arch;

7 processes on vertebral arch:

Spinous process 1
transverse process 2
superior articular
process2 inferior articular
process
Facets: 2 articular facets(a pair)
superior
inferior articular facets(a pair)
②The external features of
vertebrae in every region
Cervical vertebae

Thoracic vertebae

Lumbar vertebrae

Sacrum

Coccyx
After studing, you should know how to
ditinguish them from the vertebrae.
③The external features
of specia vertebrae

Location:
Upper part of vertebral column:
atlas, axis,
Lower part of vertebral column:
sacrum, coccyx

Because of the different functions,

the vertebrae in the upper and lower
ends of vertebral column have been
modified to become the special
vertebrae.

The atlas and axis fit the

movements of the head; the
function of sacrum and coccyx is
protecting the pelivic organs and
supporting the body weight .
⒉Articulations of vertebral column

Including synarthrosis
and diarthrosis

① Synarthrosis
intervertebral disc
anterior longitudinal lig
posterior longitudinal lig
Ligaments: ligmenta flava
interspinous lig
supraspinous lig
② Diarthrosis

a. intervertebral synovial joints

zygapophysial joints
b.articulations between the atlas and occipital bone
atlantooccipital joints
c. articulations between atlas and axis
median atlantoaxial joint
lateral atlantoaxial joints
 II. Thorax
1.Bones of thorax

⑴ sternum
sternal manubrium
Sternal angle
sternal body
xiphoid.

2nd costal cartilage is lateral to the

sternal angle. Sternal angle can be easily
palpated.
⑵ ribs
there are 12 pairs of ribs in total
True ribs: 1-7;
false ribs: 8-10;
floating ribs: 11-12
It is easier to master. Study by
yourselves.
2.The articulations of thorax

⑴ The articulations between

vertebrae and ribs
① costovertebral joint
between the head of rib and the body
of V.

② costotransverse joint
between the tubercle of rib and
transverse process.
⑵ The articulations between sternum and costal
cartilages

① synchondrosis:
between 1st rib and sternum

② sternocostal joints (synovial joints):

between 2nd rib to 7th rib and sternum (notches of sternum)

③ interchondral joints (synovial joints):

the 8th, 9th, 10th cartilages fused with each other.

Costal arch: the 8th, 9th, 10th ribs, by means of their costal
cartilages ,unite with the seventh cartilage to form the costal
arch.
For human being the
coccyx is a degenerated
organ; while in some
animals it is highly
developed organs.
zygapophysial joint
atlantooccipital joint
atlantooccipital joints

median atlantoaxial joint lateral atlantoaxial joints

 costovertebral joint

costotransverse joint
 Notice
The special attention should be paid to the following contents:

1.The appearance of the vertebral column as a whole.

⑴ The anterior view
⑵ The posterior view
⑶ The lateral view
⑷Some important structures :
the intervertebral foramina
the vertebral canal

2.The communication of the vertebral canal.

3. The movements of the vertebral column .

 【 Summary 】
1.The appearance of the vertebral as a whole

⑴ Anterior aspect:
The breadth of vertebral body from 2nd CV to 2nd sacral
vertebral is increasing.

⑵ Dorsal aspect
The tips of spinous processes are in the midline.

⑶ Lateral aspect
The vertebral column presents 4 physiological curvatures.

⑷ The intervertebral foramen: the roots of spinal nerve

pass through the foramen to distribute the body.

⑸The vertebral canal: it contains the spinal cord and its

coverings.
2.The communication of the vertebral canal.

Superior (vertebral canal) cranial cavity

Anterioinferior (anterior sacral foramina) pelvic cavity

Posterosuperior (posterior sacral foramina) gluteal region

Lateral (intervertebral foramina) trunk and limbs

3. Movements of the vertebral column
⑴Flexion and extion

⑵Lateral flexion

⑶Rotation

⑷Circumduction
⒋The thorax:
Key points:
⑴ Conical in shape
Superior aperture
Inferior aperture
⑵ Diameters
Anterioposterior diameter
Transverse diameter
⑶Pathological apperance
①Barrel-shaped thorax
Normally, the diameter from ant. to post. is shorter than the length from left
to right. When somebody suffers from chronic pulmonary disease, his thoracic
cage will become barrel-shaped. That means the ant. wall of thoracic cage
gradually lift up. The oblique thoracic inlet gradually becomes horizontal.
②Chicken-breast
The ant. wall of thoracic cage convex forward.