Chapter 3 - The Vertebral Column

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the vertebrae and its components, explaining each using pictures. It begins with the description of a typical vertebra that constitutes primary and secondary centers. Typical vertebrae consist of three primary ossification centers: one centrum and two half-neural arches. This chapter gives an account on interregional identification of centra, orientation of centra, interregional identification of neural arches, siding neural arches, intraregional identification of neural arches, and identification of secondary centers. The C1-atlas is usually composed of three primary centers of ossification including one anterior arch and two half-neural arches. The secondary centers are composed of five primary centers of ossification: two half-dens, one centrum, and two half-neural arches. The identification and orientation of anterior and neural arches are given in this chapter. The sacrum is composed of approximately 21 primary elements: five centra, 10 halfneural arches (5 pairs), and six lateral elements (3 pairs). This chapter also provides the orientation of centra, neural arches, and lateral components. The sacrum generally possesses 14 secondary centers. The chapter closes with an overall morphological summary of the vertebral column.