Question

Which option is not proper for the vertebral column
(a) It strengthens the neck
(b) It serves as the part of the attachment of the ribs and musculature
(c) It protects the spinal cord
(d) Keeps the trunk in an upright posture

Answer 1

Hint: Vertebral column or backbone consists of a neural canal from which the spinal cord passes and the ribs are attached to the body muscles from this point.

Complete answer:
The vertebral column is the part of the axial skeleton of the body made up of 6 serially arranged units called vertebrae. It consists of a central hollow portion called the neural canal through which the spinal cord passes. A typical vertebra consists of the body, vertebral arch, and many processes for articulation or attachment of muscles. It helps in the protection of the spinal cord, provides support to the skull, it serves as a point of attachment for the ribs and musculature of the back.

Additional Information: - Human skeleton is divided into two parts namely the axial skeleton and appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton consists of The skull, vertebral column, sternum, and the appendicular skeleton consists of bones of forelimbs, bones of the hindlimb, pectoral girdle, and pelvic girdle.
- The vertebral column is differentiated into seven cervical vertebrae, twelve thoracic vertebrae, five lumbar vertebrae, one fused sacral vertebrae, and one fused coccygeal vertebrae.
- Sacrum vertebrae are formed by the fusion of five sacral vertebrae and coccyx is formed by the fusion of four coccygeal vertebrae.

So, the correct answer is ' It serves as the part of the attachment of the ribs and musculature’.

Note: Atlas is the first vertebra and axis is the second vertebrae of cervical vertebrae. The first vertebrae are articulated with the occipital condyles and have an odontoid canal. Mammals have two condyles so their skull is called a dicondylic skull.