The spinous process on cervical vertebra number 7 can be felt under the skin and even seen. C7 is the largest and most inferior vertebra of the cervical vertebrae and the spinous process serves as an attachment point for muscles. The transverse foramen is a hole in the direction the vertebral column runs and allows nerves and blood vessels to run the length of the vertebral column. The transverse process is also a point of attachment, but cannot be felt as they extends laterally from the spine. The pedicle allows for the passage of spinal nerves and cannot be palpated. The body is positioned anteriorly, and thus cannot be palpated.

The correct answer is spine. The spine is another word for the vertebral column but is not a region within it.

The vertebral column consists of 33 vertebrae that are divided into 5 regions:

• cervical (neck) = 7 vertebrae
• thoracic (chest) = 12 vertebrae
• lumbar (lower back) = 5 vertebrae
• sacrum = 5 fused vertebrae
• coccyx (tailbone) = 4 (3-5) fused vertebrae

The regions of the vertebral (or spinal) column are divided by the curves of the spine. The vertebrae are named based on each region and within each region the vertebrae are mostly alike, with small variations. The vertebrae in cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions are independent bones and are named by region: cervical (C1-C7), thoracic (T1-T12), lumbar (L1-L5). The sacrum (S1-S5) and coccyx are fused and their vertebrae cannot independently move.

The function of the vertebral column is to surround and protect the spinal cord, which travels along the spinal canal. The spinal cord supplies nerves and receives information from the peripheral nervous system.

The ribs consist of 12 pairs of bones that form the majority of the thoracic cage. False ribs are ribs numbered 8-12. Ribs 8-10 form the anterior costal margin by connecting to the costal cartilage above them.

True ribs are the first seven ribs (ribs 1-7). True ribs are attached to the sternum by costal cartilages. Typical ribs are ribs 3-9. They are called typical because they all have a head, neck, tubercle, and body/shaft. The tenth rib attaches directly to the tenth vertebra, instead of in between vertebrae like ribs 2-9. Lastly we have ribs 11 and 12, which are the “floating” ribs. They are only connected to the vertebrae, and do not articulate with the sternum.

The cervical vertebrae have a foramen in the transverse process. These foramina transmit the vertebral arteries that help supply the brain. There are no foramina in the thoracic, lumbar, or coccygeal vertebrae; the sacral vertebrae have only sacral foramina.

The thoracic vertebrae have facets called costal pits, with which the ribs articulate. No other types of vertebrae have this feature, nor do other types of vertebrae articulate with the ribs.

True ribs are ribs that articulate with the sternum (ribs 1-7). False ribs articulate to costocartilage (ribs 8-10). Ribs 11-12 are floating ribs.

The clavicle is a long bone that articulates with the sternum and scapula, adding strength to the shoulder girdle by maintaining the two at a constant distance.
The manubrium is the topmost of three segments that make up the sternum; it articulates with the clavicle and the first two ribs. The humerus is the largest bone of the upper limb. The xiphoid process is the often cartilaginous tab at the lowest point of the sternum; it becomes bony in later years. The glenoid fossa is the point of articulation of the head of the humerus on the scapula.

The sacral vertebrae, generally 4-6 in number, are fused in the adult to form the sacrum. Additionally, the coccygeal vertebrae are fused in many individuals to form the coccyx. These are the two types of vertebra that are typically fused in the adult skeleton.

The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae do not fuse under normal circumstances.

The cervical vertebrae are the smallest weight-supporting vertebra. The coccygeal and terminal sacral vertebrae are smaller, but they support no weight. The thoracic and lumbar vertebrae are larger in size.

The first seven ribs are true ribs, in that they articulate with the sternum at the readily observable costal (rib) notches. The 8th, 9th, and 10th ribs are false ribs in that they do not articulate directly with the sternum, but with a cartilage which articulates with the sternum. The 11th and 12th ribs are floating ribs, in that they do not connect at all to the sternum.