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The atlas (C1) is the topmost vertebra, and along with the axis forms the joint connecting the skull and spine. It lacks a vertebral body, spinous process, and discs either superior or inferior to it. It is ring-like and consists of an anterior arch, posterior arch, and two lateral masses. The axis (C2) forms the pivot on which the atlas rotates.
The number of vertebrae in a region can vary but overall the number remains the same. In a human spinal column, there are normally 33 vertebrae. [3] The upper 24 pre-sacral vertebrae are articulating and separated from each other by intervertebral discs, and the lower nine are fused in adults, five in the sacrum and four in the coccyx, or tailbone.
Each vertebra (pl.: vertebrae) is an irregular bone with a complex structure composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, that make up the vertebral column or spine, of vertebrates. The proportions of the vertebrae differ according to their spinal segment and the particular species.
The atlas is the topmost vertebra and the axis (the vertebra below it) forms the joint connecting the skull and spine. The atlas and axis are specialized to allow a greater range of motion than normal vertebrae. They are responsible for the nodding and rotation movements of the head.
A fully grown adult features 26 bones in the spine, whereas a child can have 33. Cervical vertebrae (7 bones) Thoracic vertebrae (12 bones) Lumbar vertebrae (5 bones) Sacrum (5 bones at birth, fused into one after adolescence) Coccyx (set of 4 bones at birth)
Paravertebral line: A vertical line corresponding to the tips of the transverse processes of the vertebrae. Posterior median line; Other anatomical lines include: Mid-pupillary line: A line running vertically down the face through the midpoint of the pupil when looking directly forward.
A cervical rib in humans is an extra rib which arises from the seventh cervical vertebra. Their presence is a congenital abnormality located above the normal first rib. A cervical rib is estimated to occur in 0.2% [6] to 0.5% [7] (1 in 200 to 500) of the population. [8] People may have a cervical rib on the right, left or both sides. [9] [10]
All dogs (and all living Canidae - wolves, foxes, and wild dogs) possess a similar ligament connecting the spinous process of their first thoracic (or chest) vertebrae to the back of the axis bone (second cervical or neck bone), which supports the weight of the head without active muscle exertion, thus saving energy. [8]