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Related Concept Videos

Articulations of the Vertebral Column01:28

Articulations of the Vertebral Column

In addition to being held together by the intervertebral discs, adjacent vertebrae also articulate with each other at synovial joints formed between the superior and inferior articular processes called zygapophysial joints (facet joints). These are plane joints that provide for only limited motions between the vertebrae. The orientation of the articular processes at these joints varies in different regions of the vertebral column and serves to determine the types of motions available in each...
Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature01:16

Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature

The vertebral column or spine is a flexible column that supports the head, neck, and body and  allows for their movements. It also protects the spinal cord.
Regions of the Vertebral Column
In an adult, the spine is subdivided into five regions: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, the sacral, and the coccygeal region. The spine initially develops as a series of 33 vertebrae; after 20 years of age, the nine bones in the sacral region, five sacral, and four coccygeal bones fuse to form the...
General Structure of a Vertebra01:30

General Structure of a Vertebra

A typical vertebra, with the exception of the sacrum and coccyx, consists of a body, a vertebral arch, and seven different projections termed processes. The anterior portion of the vertebrae, the body, supports about half the body’s weight. The vertebral bodies progressively increase in size and thickness from the cervical region to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. The intervertebral discs present between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae firmly unites them, forming a continuous column.
Overview of the Axial Skeleton01:09

Overview of the Axial Skeleton

The skeleton is subdivided into two major divisions—the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton forms the vertical, central axis of the body. It includes all of the bones of the head, neck, chest, and back. It protects the brain, spinal cord, heart, and lungs. It also serves as the attachment site for muscles that move the head, neck, and back and for muscles that act across the shoulder and hip joints to move their corresponding limbs.
The axial skeleton of the adult...
Spinal Nerves: Anatomy01:23

Spinal Nerves: Anatomy

Spinal nerves are pivotal conduits in the nervous system, bridging the central nervous system (CNS) with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). These nerves enable a complex communication network between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body, facilitating sensory input, motor output, and autonomic functions.
There are 31 bilateral pairs of spinal nerves, each emerging from the spinal cord through the intervertebral foramina—openings between adjacent vertebrae. These nerves are...
Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy01:16

Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy

The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Construction of a Realistic, Whole-Body, Three-Dimensional Equine Skeletal Model using Computed Tomography Data
11:09

Construction of a Realistic, Whole-Body, Three-Dimensional Equine Skeletal Model using Computed Tomography Data

Published on: February 25, 2021

A method for articulating and displaying the human spine.

Robert W Mann1

  • 1Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, 310 Worchester Avenue, Hickam AFB, HI 96853-5530, USA. robert.mann@jpac.pacom.mil

Journal of Forensic Sciences
|September 8, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A new Styrofoam spine tray offers an inexpensive and effective method for articulating dry human spines. This tool allows for accurate vertebral alignment, accommodates missing bones, and aids in documentation for forensic and anthropological analysis.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Construction of a Realistic, Whole-Body, Three-Dimensional Equine Skeletal Model using Computed Tomography Data
11:09

Construction of a Realistic, Whole-Body, Three-Dimensional Equine Skeletal Model using Computed Tomography Data

Published on: February 25, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Anatomical Sciences

Background:

  • Articulating dry human spines is crucial for forensic and anthropological analysis.
  • Current methods can be time-consuming and lack standardization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe an inexpensive and effective method for articulating dry human spines.
  • To provide a standardized tool for forensic and anthropological casework.

Main Methods:

  • Construction of a custom Styrofoam spine tray.
  • Utilizing the tray to position and align individual vertebrae.
  • Accommodating anatomical variations, including missing vertebrae.

Main Results:

  • The Styrofoam tray enables accurate positioning and alignment of human spine components.
  • The method allows for the inclusion of gaps for missing vertebrae.
  • The laid-out spine is suitable for professional documentation and photography.

Conclusions:

  • The Styrofoam spine tray is a quick, easy, and professional-quality tool.
  • It enhances the alignment and orientation of human spines in field and laboratory settings.