CH 4

Introduction to Human Osteology
Chapter 4: Vertebral Column and Thorax
Roberta Hall
Kenneth Beals
Holm Neumann
Georg Neumann
Gwyn Madden
Revised in 1978, 1984, and 2008

The Vertebral Column and Thorax
Sternum
Manubrium – bone that is trapezoidal in shape, makes up the superior aspect of the
sternum.
Jugular notch – concave notches on either side of the superior aspect of the manubrium,
for articulation with the clavicles.
Corpus or body – flat, rectangular bone making up the major portion of the sternum. The
lateral aspects contain the notches for the true ribs, called the costal notches.
Xiphoid process – variably shaped bone found at the inferior aspect of the corpus.
Process may fuse late in life to the corpus.
Clavicle
Sternal end – rounded end, articulates with manubrium.
Acromial end – flat end, articulates with scapula.
Conoid tuberosity – muscle attachment located on the inferior aspect of the shaft,
pointing posteriorly.
Ribs Scapulae
Head Ventral surface
Neck Dorsal surface
Tubercle Spine
Shaft Coracoid process
Costal groove Acromion
Glenoid fossa
Axillary margin
Medial angle
Vertebral margin
Manubrium. Left anterior aspect, right posterior aspect.
Sternum and Xyphoid Process. Left anterior aspect, right posterior aspect.
Clavicle. Left side. Top superior and bottom inferior.
First Rib. Left superior and right inferior.
Second Rib. Left inferior and right superior.

Typical Rib. Left inferior and right superior.
Eleventh Rib. Left posterior view and left superior view.
Twelfth Rib. Top shows anterior view and bottom shows posterior view.
Scapula. Left side. Top anterior and bottom posterior.
Scapula. Top lateral and bottom superior.
Clavicle
Sternum
Scapula
Ribs
Vertebrae
Body - Development of the vertebrae can be used in aging of individuals. In the first
stage of development there are three separate portions, the two neural arches and the
body. The neural arches fuse to each other first, around age 2-4 years of age. The body
and neural arches later fuse at approximately 3-6 years of age. The body of a juvenile
vertebra will exhibit billowing around the margins; these disappear as the end plates fuse
to the body.
Foramen - Central hole through which the spinal cord passes.
Transverse foramina - Foramen on each of the transverse processes of the cervical
vertebrae. Through these foramina the vertebral arteries pass.
Arches – Encloses the spinal column.
Spinous process – Posteriorly projecting aspect of the vertebra; attachment for muscles
and ligaments that varies in size.
Superior articular facets & Inferior articular facets – Oval shaped facets located on the
superior and inferior aspects of the posterior part of the vertebrae. As they articulate with
each other, they are faced in opposite directions depending on their location in the spinal
column.
Characteristics Cervical (7) Thoracic (12) Lumbar (5)
Body Shape Oval Round Heart
Body Size Small Medium Large
Vertebral Foramen Rounded Round Triangular
Transverse Process Small Large Large and blunt
Transverse Foramen Present Absent Absent
Spinous Process 2-6 Bifid Long, projects Thick and
inferiorly horizontal
Articulating Facets Superior: face Superior: face Superior: face
posterior posterior, flat medially, curved
Inferior: face Inferior: face Inferior: face
anterior anterior, flat laterally, curved
Costal Facets None On body and None
transverse processes
Non-Metric Traits of the Vertebral Column and Thorax
Rhomboid fossa In the area where the costoclavicular
ligament attaches, there may be a
depression, crest, or plateau.
Os acromiale Lack of fusion of the acromial epiphysis,
presents with rounded margins on the
epiphysis and acromion.
Atlas. Top superior and bottom inferior.
Axis. Top superior and bottom anterior.
Cervical Vertebrae. Top posterior, middle inferior, bottom superior.
Thoracic Vertebrae. Top posterior, middle inferior, bottom superior.
Lumbar Vertebrae. Top posterior, middle inferior, bottom superior.
Top – Cervical. Middle – Thoracic. Bottom – Lumbar.
The Pelvic Girdle
Sacrum
A continuation of the vertebral column, the sacrum is composed of five fused
vertebrae. Where the sacrum meets with the fifth lumbar vertebra it is widest, decreasing
in size inferiorly. The sacrum also makes up the posterior aspect of the pelvic girdle.
Base
Apex
Promontory
Ventral surface
Transverse ridges
Anterior sacral foramina
Dorsal surface
Medial sacral crest
Posterior sacral foramina
Lateral surface – Wings or ala
Coccyx
Four very small vertebrae found at the apex of the sacrum which are fused in
adults, but are often absent in archaeological specimens. The corunae are the only
landmarks seen on the coccyx, which are tubercles projecting superiorly from the body of
the coccyx.
Sacrum. Top anterior and bottom posterior.
Sacrum. Lateral view.
Superior coccygeal body. Left view anterior and right view posterior.
Inferior coccygeal elements. Left view anterior, middle view posterior, right view
superior articulation.
Superior and inferior coccygeal elements articulated.

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Introduction to Human Osteology

Chapter 4: Vertebral Column and Thorax

Revised in 1978, 1984, and 2008

Second Rib. Left inferior and right superior.

Superior and inferior coccygeal elements articulated.

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