1
ANATOMY OF THE SPINE AND MUSCLES
Core (trunk) CORRECT ANSWER>>>Central scaffold for maintaining or transitioning to various
positions
Axial skeleton CORRECT ANSWER>>>Includes the vertebral column, ribs, sternum, and skull;
serves as attachment sites for large muscles
Appendicular skeleton CORRECT ANSWER>>>Consists of the limbs and their girdles, such as the
shoulder and pelvic bones
Lordosis CORRECT ANSWER>>>Anterior curvature of the spine found in the cervical and lumbar
vertebrae
Kyphosis CORRECT ANSWER>>>Posterior curvature of the spine observed in the thoracic and
sacral vertebrae
Vertebral body CORRECT ANSWER>>>Main portion of a vertebra composed of cancellous (spongy)
bone that absorbs compressive forces
Vertebral arch CORRECT ANSWER>>>Structure formed by pedicles and laminae that serves as the
bony base for processes
Vertebral foramen CORRECT ANSWER>>>Opening posterior to the vertebral body that forms a
bony canal for the spinal cord
Intervertebral foramen CORRECT ANSWER>>>Opening between adjacent vertebrae that acts as a
passage for spinal nerves
Intervertebral disc CORRECT ANSWER>>>Structure located between vertebral bodies that
stabilizes the spine and absorbs shock
Annulus fibrosus CORRECT ANSWER>>>Fibrous outer ring of the intervertebral disc
Nucleus pulposus CORRECT ANSWER>>>Gel-like inner core of the intervertebral disc
Spinous process CORRECT ANSWER>>>Part of a vertebra that projects dorsally and inferiorly
Transverse processes CORRECT ANSWER>>>Extensions that project laterally from each side of a
vertebra
Costal facets CORRECT ANSWER>>>Articular surfaces found only in thoracic vertebrae for rib
attachment
Atlas CORRECT ANSWER>>>C-1 vertebra that allows for the rotation of the skull
Axis CORRECT ANSWER>>>C-2 vertebra that acts as a pivot for rotation
Nuchal ligament CORRECT ANSWER>>>A unique ligament in the cervical spine that extends from
the skull to the cervical vertebrae
